Folder Structure Generator

What is a folder structure generator?

A folder structure generator turns a file and directory hierarchy into a tree-shaped text diagram. The result is useful in README files, technical documentation, tutorials, project overviews, and code reviews.

This tool creates text only. It does not create folders, generate a ZIP archive, or design a project architecture.

How to create a folder structure tree

1. Enter one file or folder per line and use spaces or Tabs for nesting, or select Select folder to import an existing folder.
2. Choose Unicode or ASCII from Format.
3. Open Options to change Max depth or the exact names to ignore.
4. Select Generate.
5. Copy the generated tree, or select Edit to change the source.

Max depth defaults to 5, with the selected root folder counted as level 0. The default Ignore names are node_modules, dist, .git, build, .next, and coverage.

Folder structure example

Enter an indented hierarchy:

my-project
  src
    components
      Button.tsx
    index.ts
  public/
  package.json

The generator produces:

my-project/
├── src/
│   ├── components/
│   │   └── Button.tsx
│   └── index.ts
├── public/
└── package.json

A trailing / marks a leaf as a folder. A node containing indented children is also treated as a folder automatically. Blank lines and trailing whitespace are ignored.

How to add a folder structure to a README

Copy the generated tree and place it inside a fenced Markdown code block. A code block preserves spaces, indentation, and box-drawing characters on GitHub and other Markdown renderers.

ASCII tree vs Unicode tree

Unicode format uses box-drawing characters such as ├──, └──, and │. ASCII format uses plain characters such as |--, `--, and |. Both formats preserve the same hierarchy and indentation. Unicode is the default; ASCII is useful where box-drawing characters are not displayed reliably.

Importing a local folder

Folder import uses the relative paths supplied by your browser to rebuild the hierarchy and fill the input box. Ignore names and Max depth are applied during import. If you increase Max depth afterward, select the folder again to import the additional levels.

Because browsers provide a list of files rather than every directory entry, completely empty folders may be missing from an imported structure. You can add them manually in the input box.

Folder structure generator FAQ

How do I create nested folders in the tree?

Indent a line farther than its parent using spaces or a Tab. Returning to an earlier indentation level creates a sibling at that level.

Can I exclude node_modules or .git?

Yes. They are ignored by default. Open Options to add or remove exact, case-sensitive file and folder names. Ignoring a folder also removes everything inside it.

What does Max depth include?

The root is level 0. With Max depth set to 5, the result can include the root and five nested levels below it.

Can I import an empty folder?

Not reliably. Folder selection exposes file paths, so a folder containing no files may not appear. Add the empty folder manually when it matters.

Can this tool create the actual folders?

No. It generates a copyable text tree for documentation; it does not create files, folders, commands, or ZIP archives.