Exclude folder from search but not from the project list

I have a few different project with the same core.

All I need is to mark all not current projects as excluded to avoid searching through them (simple search, shift + cmd + n etc.)

In other words I want to have a search results from the core + current project.

Is there are any way do close some projects but have them available in the projects list and open it so easy as it was closed? Or probably you have another experience?

Solution 1:

To apply custom search use Scopes Settings/Preferences > Appearance & Behavior > Scopes to use it for Find in Path or Replace in Path.
I suggest to reorganize your folders, so that no unnecessary files are left in project directory. Also, you can specify Source Root by going to Settings > Project Settings > Directories and adding additional directories.

Solution 2:

This is the best way to exclude directories from your search results. I work on large Magento project with many directories I don't want in search results. This solved my problem. If your project contains a /vendor directory, this will help speed up indexing in PHPStorm since it's ignored.

Right click on any folder to bring up the following options.

Solution 3:

As of version 2016.3 this is found under Settings > Appearance & Behavior > Scopes.

Or regardless of the version, just go to Settings and type "scopes" into the search box at the top.

Then just click the + symbol to add the scope, choose the folder you want to exclude, and click Exclude Recursively and apply.

Then when you search using CTRL+SHIFT+F, under Options > Scope select Custom and choose the scope you just created (thanks commenters).