phpstorm light yellow highlight in file explorer / project window, what is it and how can I change the color?

Question

I just started using phpstorm, and i've noticed when I look into my vendor directory (managed by composer), I see the background colour is a light yellow and unreadable with my current theme. It like this in all the directories within the vendor dir.

what does it mean? & how can I change the background color?

Answer 1

This color usually means that such files are not part of the project itself.

In you case this means that the folder is excluded and then re-added back to the project as External Library (via PHP | Inlude paths functionality) -- this way you do not see ToDos from them in your ToDo list; your own code refactoring does not affect/mess up with libraries and other stuff like that.

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You can edit colors at Settings/Preferences | Appearance & Behavior | File Colors.

That particular color belongs to "Non-Project Files" scope.

Few options here.

• Change color of that scope entry (by double clicking on it) to any other that would fit your color scheme better.

• Disable highlighting files in Project View using background colors by unchecking the Use in Project View option.

• Use another GUI Theme that already provides more suitable/right colors.