Djlint Per-File Ignores Not Working In VSCode: Troubleshooting

Are you facing issues with your djlint setup in VSCode, specifically when it comes to the per-file-ignores configuration? You're not alone! Many users have reported that this feature, which is supposed to let you ignore specific files based on patterns in your pyproject.toml, isn't working as expected when linting through the VSCode extension. Let's dive into the problem, understand the root cause, explore potential solutions, and find a workable workaround to get your linting process back on track. This guide will provide you with all the necessary information, from the core issue to the best approaches to solve it. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the per-file-ignores configuration, its limitations, and how to successfully use it. We'll also cover the current workarounds and the future of djlint's integration with VSCode. This ensures you're well-equipped to manage your Django templates and keep your code clean and consistent.

The Problem: Per-File Ignores Failing in VSCode

The heart of the issue lies in the per-file-ignores configuration not functioning correctly within the VSCode extension for djlint. While this feature works seamlessly when you run djlint from the command line, it fails to apply the specified ignore patterns when used through the editor. This discrepancy can be frustrating, as it limits your ability to fine-tune linting rules on a per-file or per-directory basis. This is especially true when working with large projects where precise control over linting is crucial for maintaining code quality. The difference in behavior can lead to inconsistencies in linting results, making it difficult to maintain a clean codebase. It can also lead to wasted time as developers are forced to manually review and address issues that could have been automatically handled by the linting tool. Proper configuration of the .toml file is key here, which allows you to define exactly which files and directories should be excluded from linting. This level of control is invaluable for project-specific customization and adapting djlint to fit your unique needs.

When we talk about per-file-ignores, we are essentially referring to the ability to define specific rules that will be applied only to certain files or file patterns. These patterns are defined within your pyproject.toml file, which is the configuration file for the djlint project. In theory, this allows you to specify a wide range of ignore patterns, such as excluding specific files, directories, or even files matching certain extensions. By setting per-file-ignores, you enable a more flexible linting strategy where rules can be tailored to match the specific characteristics of your project. For example, you might want to exclude autogenerated files or certain third-party libraries from being linted. This granular control is vital for managing the linting process in large and complex projects. The absence of this feature in the VSCode extension means that the linting rules applied are often too broad, which will lead to unnecessary warnings, false positives, and an inefficient linting experience. This problem affects anyone relying on the VSCode extension for efficient and accurate Django template linting, causing more work and frustration.

Root Cause: How the VSCode Extension Uses djlint

So, what's causing this problem? The answer lies in how the VSCode extension interacts with djlint. The extension utilizes stdin mode to pass file content to djlint. When you're using the extension, it executes djlint - and feeds the content of the file directly via standard input. The crucial point here is that the original filename isn't passed along to djlint in this process. When djlint receives input via stdin, it creates a temporary file on your system (e.g., /tmp/tmpXXXXXX). Djlint then uses this temporary file path for applying per-file-ignores matching. The key issue is that this temporary path has nothing to do with the actual original filename. As a result, any ignore patterns that rely on the original filename, such as `