Filter Files from Automatic Imports

📋 Summary

Add the ability to exclude files from automatic imports based on filename rules, such as ignoring BIOS files, tools, or other non-game entries.

❗ Problem

Automatic imports currently bring in everything that matches the source folders:

• BIOS files and system files are imported as games

• Utility programs and non-playable content clutter the library

• No way to define rules to ignore certain files

• Users must manually clean up unwanted entries after import

This reduces the usefulness of automatic imports, especially with curated sets.

💡 Proposal

Introduce import filtering rules:

• Allow users to define ignore rules based on:

  • Filename text (e.g. bios, test, program)

  • File patterns or tags

• Apply these rules during:

  • Automatic imports

  • Manual imports (optional)

• Provide a simple UI to:

  • Add, edit, and remove filters

• Optionally include:

  • Presets for common exclusions (e.g. BIOS files)

🧩 Use Cases

• A user excludes BIOS files from No-Intro sets

• ROM management tools produce files not intended for LaunchBox

• A user filters out utilities or test ROMs

• Automatic imports stay clean without manual cleanup

📦 Benefits

• Cleaner game libraries

• Reduces manual maintenance

• Improves accuracy of automatic imports

• Better compatibility with ROM management tools

⚠️ Considerations

• Rules should be flexible but easy to understand

• Must avoid accidentally filtering valid games

• Could be expanded to support more advanced filtering in the future

✅ Outcome

Import filtering ensures only relevant games are added to the library, making automatic imports more reliable and efficient.