Include and Exclude Patterns

Include/exclude controls are the foundation of precise transfer scope in rclone. This section explains how to design rule sets that are readable, testable, and safe for automation so you can avoid copying noise, prevent accidental omissions, and keep backup behavior consistent across environments.

Learning Focus

Build filter rules you can trust, then test them with dry-runs before you rely on them in automation.

Rule Basics

Flag	Purpose
--exclude	Omit matching files/directories
--include	Allow specific files/directories
--exclude-from	Load excludes from file
--include-from	Load includes from file
--filter	Advanced rule engine

Flag Deep Dives

Use these focused docs when you want exact behavior per flag:

• exclude
• include
• exclude-from
• include-from
• filter

Recommended Approach

For production jobs:

1. Put rules into files (/etc/rclone/*.filter).
2. Apply them consistently across scripts.
3. Validate with --dry-run -vv whenever rules change.

Practical Command

filtered-sync.sh

rclone sync /srv/app remote-prod:backups/app \
  --exclude "**/.git/**" \
  --exclude "**/node_modules/**" \
  --exclude "**/*.log" \
  --progress

warning

Do not forget secrets. Add .env, private keys, and credential files to your exclude list.

Pattern File Example

/etc/rclone/app.exclude

**/.git/**
**/node_modules/**
**/*.log
**/.env

rclone sync /srv/app remote-prod:backups/app --exclude-from /etc/rclone/app.exclude

tip

Keep filter files versioned in infrastructure repos, but never commit secrets.

Advanced Filters (Rule Files)

Rclone also supports filter rule files (ordered allow/deny rules). A common pattern:

/etc/rclone/app.filter

# include only source code and configs
+ **/*.php
+ **/*.py
+ **/*.js
+ **/*.ts
+ **/*.json
+ **/*.yml

# deny everything else
- **

rclone copy /srv/app remote-prod:backups/app --filter-from /etc/rclone/app.filter --dry-run -vv

note

Order matters. More specific allow rules should appear before broader deny rules.

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Outcome	Prevention
Over-broad wildcard	Needed files are skipped	Test with --dry-run -vv
Missing recursive pattern	Nested files still transfer	Use ** where required
Filtering only source side assumptions	Unexpected remote state	Review behavior with sync vs copy

Hands-On Practice

1. Create a filter file.
2. Run a dry-run copy and confirm excluded files do not appear.

practice-filters.sh

cat > /tmp/rclone.filter <<'EOF'
+ **/*.md
+ **/*.mdx
- **
EOF

rclone copy /srv/docs remote-prod:labs/docs --filter-from /tmp/rclone.filter --dry-run -vv

What's Next

• Include and Exclude Patterns Flag Docs
• Age, Size, and Time Filters
• Files-From and Advanced Selection