What are .idea and .vscode?
When you open a software development project in an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) like JetBrains IntelliJ/WebStorm or Microsoft Visual Studio Code, the editor instantly creates a hidden .idea or .vscode folder at the root of your project directory.
Why Do They Exist?
These folders store your highly personalized, local workspace configurations. They remember:
- Which files you had open the last time you closed the editor.
- Your specific window layout and terminal preferences.
- Local run/debug configurations.
- Custom dictionary words you added for this specific project.
They exist so that when you close your laptop on Friday and reopen the project on Monday, the editor looks exactly how you left it.
Can You Delete Them?
Yes, with caution.
Deleting these folders will absolutely not damage your source code, your Git repository, or your application. It is completely safe to delete them.
What Happens If You Delete Them?
If you delete the .vscode or .idea folder, the next time you open the project in your editor, it will treat it like a brand-new, unrecognized project.
All your previously open tabs will be closed, your custom run configurations will be gone, and you will have to set up your workspace again. The editor will then immediately generate a fresh, blank .idea or .vscode folder.
Should You Commit Them to Git?
Usually, no. Because these folders contain your highly personal workspace settings (and sometimes absolute file paths specific to your computer), committing them to a shared GitHub repository will overwrite your coworkers’ personal settings and cause massive merge conflicts.
It is a universal best practice to add .idea/ and .vscode/ to your .gitignore file immediately when starting a project.
Bottom Line
Deleting .idea or .vscode is a completely safe way to “factory reset” your code editor’s layout for a specific project, but they should generally just be added to .gitignore and ignored.
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