PhpStorm - How can I avoid creating a .idea folder?

Question

I do not want PhpStorm to create a .idea folder. Is it possible?

I am working in a new environment where I MUST pretty much figure out how to remove them, or I need to change the IDE, which I really don't want to do.

Can PhpStorm store project files and settings in its own directory?

Answer 1

I do not want PhpStorm to create a .idea folder. Is it possible?

No, but the workaround is very simple and described in the actual teleobject: http://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/WI-343 :

WORKAROUND: Actually, you can do this for a long time - but only manually. Just create a new project anywhere you want to save project data, then go to "Settings | Directories" and disconnect its directory and attach the project root folder.

Just remember to open this folder instead of the actual one next time.

Answer 2

Perhaps, as an alternative, if you use VCS, you can add .idea to your VCS ignore list? For example, for Mercurial it is called .hgignore and for Git it is .gitignore .