1. CONTEXT
Code to Prompt is a Windows utility designed to bundle entire local codebases into a single text payload optimized for AI tools. Since AI models have strict context window limits and security considerations, managing what gets exported is just as important as the export itself.
2. THE PROBLEM
I anticipated two critical failure states that users would inevitably encounter if they exported blindly. First, exporting massive directories (like `node_modules`) would exceed AI context limits and crash downstream tools. Second, and more importantly, exporting unchecked codebases posed a severe privacy risk by unintentionally exposing sensitive environment variables (like `.env` files) to external AI models.
3. THE SOLUTION
To solve both problems elegantly without cluttering the main workspace, I built a proactive safeguards system directly into the app's Settings Dialog.
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File Size Threshold: I implemented a slider that warns users before they export a payload that is likely too large for standard LLMs.
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Privacy by Default: I created an "Always Exclude List" that automatically blocks high-risk and high-volume directories like `.env` and `node_modules` out-of-the-box.
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User Control: While safety is the default, the UI includes a simple list interface where users can easily remove default exclusions or add their own custom files and folders to be permanently ignored.