Best practices for using symlinks (symbolic links)
Hi there,
I use dropbox on linux with symlinks, but am not sure which is the best/preferred way to use them. Is there a best practice for using this type of configuration?
Currently I use symlink...
NOTE: The Initial Post on this thread IS the Solution. While the technique specifically targets thenode_modulesfolder in Javascript/ TypeScript projects,it can also be applied to any "folders" that need to be ignored(see bottom of this post for a drag-n-drop technique).
HOW IT WORKS
Because Dropbox does not synchronize folders referened by symlinks (aliases), you can move those folders into a NON-DROPBOX path (outside of dropbox), then create a symlink (alias) in the original Dropbox location.
RESULT
The ignored folder in Dropbox looks and behaves as normal folder, but in reality the data lives in a non-synchronized location on the storage device.
HOW TO IGNORE ANY FOLDER (THE DRAG-N-DROP WAY)
Move the folder to ignore "Outside of Dropbox" into another location (e.g. ~/Documents)
In Finder (Mac OS), Command+Option Drag the folder back into Dropbox to create an alias. The cursor should turn into a little curved arrow while dragging if you have the right keys pressed. Once dropped, an alias will be created in the original Dropbox location pointing to the moved folder.
NOTE: Using symlinks/aliases on Windows and Linux should behave the same way, but I have not verified it. Also, I've updated the original post to state that the tiny symlink (alias) file itself "IS" copied to all systems, but not the content of the folder.
I've had this setup (linking my Desktop to the a ~/Dropbox/Desktop for years now. However, I just bought a new Macbook Pro running OS X catalina. Everytime I create the symlink to the Dropbox, it initially works, but then the OS restores what seems like a default folder and deletes the link.
I have found a workaround that may help you guys at Dropbox provide us with a more elegant solution. After creating the symlink to my Dropbox desktop folder, I locked the link file by displaying its info and checking the 'Locked' checkbox. That seems to do the trick. I checked that I can still write and save to my desktop. I have also restarted my machine (this step previously resulted in my link deleted and a new Desktop folder created) and everything is intact.
Thanks niazy would like some guidance on how you removed the existing desktop folder from the Mac Catalina home directory. I don't seem able to. Did you create a new desktop folder in Dropbox folder and move that locked symlink to the Mac home folder? After a restart would that delete the original desktop folder in the home folder? I'm nervous to experiment too much!
Terminal didnât allow me to create a symlink from the newly created Desktop folder in Dropbox to the home folder saying Desktop exists. So I created a link to my desktop and tried to drag it to home folder. It didn't allow me saying - âDesktopâ canât be modified or deleted because itâs required by macOS.
I am trying to implement your suggestion, but I find that upon creating Desktop as a symbolic link, when I bring up "Get Info" the "Locked" box, as well as everything else, is greyed out and not modofieable. Have you experienced that? I have Catalina too.
I had the same issue with the greyed check box. I solved it by locking the folder where the symlink is inside. In my case, I locked my user folder. So far it's working. After restarting the system it stoped deleting my symlink and messing things up. I just hope I won't have problems by locking my own user folder on Mac. lol
Hope it works for you too.
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Get support and advice from the Dropbox Community.","avatar":null,"profileSettings":{"__typename":"ProfileSettings","language":null},"parent":{"__ref":"Category:category:101001000"},"ancestors":{"__typename":"CoreNodeConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"CoreNodeEdge","node":{"__ref":"Community:community:mxpez29397"}},{"__typename":"CoreNodeEdge","node":{"__ref":"Category:category:English"}},{"__typename":"CoreNodeEdge","node":{"__ref":"Category:category:101001000"}}]},"userContext":{"__typename":"NodeUserContext","canAddAttachments":false,"canUpdateNode":false,"canPostMessages":false,"isSubscribed":false},"boardPolicies":{"__typename":"BoardPolicies","canPublishArticleOnCreate":{"__typename":"PolicyResult","failureReason":{"__typename":"FailureReason","message":"error.lithium.policies.forums.policy_can_publish_on_create_workflow_action.accessDenied","key":"error.lithium.policies.forums.policy_can_publish_on_create_workflow_action.accessDenied","args":[]}},"canReadNode":{"__typename":"PolicyResult","failureReason":null}},"shortTitle":"Create, upload, and share","repliesProperties":{"__typename":"RepliesProperties","sortOrder":"PUBLISH_TIME","repliesFormat":"threaded"},"topicsCount":5395,"messageActivity":{"__typename":"MessageActivity","corePropertyChangeTime":"2025-03-31T22:36:33.639-07:00"},"forumPolicies":{"__typename":"ForumPolicies","canReadNode":{"__typename":"PolicyResult","failureReason":null}},"eventPath":"category:101001000/category:English/community:mxpez29397board:101001014/","tagProperties":{"__typename":"TagNodeProperties","tagsEnabled":{"__typename":"PolicyResult","failureReason":null}},"requireTags":true,"tagType":"PRESET_ONLY"},"Rank:rank:43":{"__typename":"Rank","id":"rank:43","position":26,"name":"Helpful | Level 6","color":"333333","icon":null,"rankStyle":"TEXT"},"User:user:1171784":{"__typename":"User","id":"user:1171784","uid":1171784,"login":"zephyr707","deleted":false,"avatar":{"__typename":"UserAvatar","url":null},"rank":{"__ref":"Rank:rank:43"},"email":"","messagesCount":19,"biography":null,"topicsCount":7,"kudosReceivedCount":5,"kudosGivenCount":2,"kudosWeight":1,"registrationData":{"__typename":"RegistrationData","status":null,"registrationTime":"2019-06-10T15:16:39.086-07:00","confirmEmailStatus":null},"followersCount":null,"solutionsCount":0},"ForumTopicMessage:message:349296":{"__typename":"ForumTopicMessage","uid":349296,"subject":"Best practices for using symlinks (symbolic links)","id":"message:349296","revisionNum":3,"repliesCount":32,"author":{"__ref":"User:user:1171784"},"depth":0,"hasGivenKudo":false,"board":{"__ref":"Forum:board:101001014"},"conversation":{"__ref":"Conversation:conversation:349296"},"readOnly":false,"editFrozen":false,"moderationData":{"__ref":"ModerationData:moderation_data:349296"},"body@stripHtml({\"truncateLength\":200})":" Hi there, \n I use dropbox on linux with symlinks, but am not sure which is the best/preferred way to use them. Is there a best practice for using this type of configuration? \n Currently I use symlink...","body@stringLength":"1206","rawBody":"
Hi there,
\n
I use dropbox on linux with symlinks, but am not sure which is the best/preferred way to use them. Is there a best practice for using this type of configuration?
\n
Currently I use symlinks in my home directory that point to the actual folders in my Dropbox folder, but I have heard of doing the inverse: placing symlinks in the dropbox folder pointing out into the home directory. Are there pros and cons to symlinking from the Dropbox folder to the home directory vs. placing a symlink in the home folder linking to inside the Dropbox folder?
\n
What happens during a catastrophic failure triggering a need for data restoration, which method is preferred? Is there a way to dynamically create links for new entries (like .* folders)? Is there an advantage/disadvantage to using soft vs. hard linking?
\n
Any links/posts with regards to the above would be most appreciated. I acknowledge that Dropbox does not fully support symbolic links, but find them so useful I am committed to using them.
\n
Thanks in advance!
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I have found a workaround that may help you guys at Dropbox provide us with a more elegant solution. After creating the symlink to my Dropbox desktop folder, I locked the link file by displaying its info and checking the 'Locked' checkbox. That seems to do the trick. I checked that I can still write and save to my desktop. I have also restarted my machine (this step previously resulted in my link deleted and a new Desktop folder created) and everything is intact.
","body@stringLength":"480","rawBody":"
I have found a workaround that may help you guys at Dropbox provide us with a more elegant solution. After creating the symlink to my Dropbox desktop folder, I locked the link file by displaying its info and checking the 'Locked' checkbox. That seems to do the trick. I checked that I can still write and save to my desktop. I have also restarted my machine (this step previously resulted in my link deleted and a new Desktop folder created) and everything is intact.
I would strongly recommend sticking with the current configuration you currently have, which would be having the actual files in the Dropbox folder and having your symlinks in the home directory. In this case, it wouldnât have any affect on the files syncing as the actual files are within the Dropbox folder.
\n
\n
Issues occur with syncing when the files are located elsewhere and the symlink is within the Dropbox folder instead. This can cause performance issues and high CPU usage when trying to sync the files. In some cases, the desktop app may even just sync the symlink file itself and not the referenced file. This will mean the actual file wonât be synced to your Dropbox account so you wont be able to access the actual file via the web or other devices your account syncs to.
\n
\n
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions - Thanks!
I would strongly recommend sticking with the current configuration you currently have, which would be having the actual files in the Dropbox folder and having your symlinks in the home directory. In this case, it wouldnât have any affect on the files syncing as the actual files are within the Dropbox folder.
\n
\n
Issues occur with syncing when the files are located elsewhere and the symlink is within the Dropbox folder instead. This can cause performance issues and high CPU usage when trying to sync the files. In some cases, the desktop app may even just sync the symlink file itself and not the referenced file. This will mean the actual file wonât be synced to your Dropbox account so you wont be able to access the actual file via the web or other devices your account syncs to.
\n
\n
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions - Thanks!
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Hi there,
I've had this setup (linking my Desktop to the a ~/Dropbox/Desktop for years now. However, I just bought a new Macbook Pro running OS X catalina. Everytime I create the symlink to the Dropbox, it initially works, but then the OS restores what seems like a default folder and deletes the link.
Any ideas?
","body@stringLength":"338","rawBody":"
Hi there,
I've had this setup (linking my Desktop to the a ~/Dropbox/Desktop for years now. However, I just bought a new Macbook Pro running OS X catalina. Everytime I create the symlink to the Dropbox, it initially works, but then the OS restores what seems like a default folder and deletes the link.
Any ideas?
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Best practices for using symlinks (symbolic links)","moderationData":{"__ref":"ModerationData:moderation_data:372117"},"body":"
Thanks niazy would like some guidance on how you removed the existing desktop folder from the Mac Catalina home directory. I don't seem able to. Did you create a new desktop folder in Dropbox folder and move that locked symlink to the Mac home folder? After a restart would that delete the original desktop folder in the home folder? I'm nervous to experiment too much!
Thanks would like some guidance on how you removed the existing desktop folder from the Mac Catalina home directory. I don't seem able to. Did you create a new desktop folder in Dropbox folder and move that locked symlink to the Mac home folder? After a restart would that delete the original desktop folder in the home folder? I'm nervous to experiment too much!
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Terminal didnât allow me to create a symlink from the newly created Desktop folder in Dropbox to the home folder saying Desktop exists. So I created a link to my desktop and tried to drag it to home folder. It didn't allow me saying - âDesktopâ canât be modified or deleted because itâs required by macOS.
Terminal didnât allow me to create a symlink from the newly created Desktop folder in Dropbox to the home folder saying Desktop exists. So I created a link to my desktop and tried to drag it to home folder. It didn't allow me saying - âDesktopâ canât be modified or deleted because itâs required by macOS.
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Dear Niazy,
I am trying to implement your suggestion, but I find that upon creating Desktop as a symbolic link, when I bring up \"Get Info\" the \"Locked\" box, as well as everything else, is greyed out and not modofieable. Have you experienced that? I have Catalina too.
I am trying to implement your suggestion, but I find that upon creating Desktop as a symbolic link, when I bring up \"Get Info\" the \"Locked\" box, as well as everything else, is greyed out and not modofieable. Have you experienced that? I have Catalina too.
Thank you,
Marcelo
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Dear Marcelo4,
I had the same issue with the greyed check box. I solved it by locking the folder where the symlink is inside. In my case, I locked my user folder. So far it's working. After restarting the system it stoped deleting my symlink and messing things up. I just hope I won't have problems by locking my own user folder on Mac. lol
I had the same issue with the greyed check box. I solved it by locking the folder where the symlink is inside. In my case, I locked my user folder. So far it's working. After restarting the system it stoped deleting my symlink and messing things up. I just hope I won't have problems by locking my own user folder on Mac. lol
Hope it works for you too.
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