rsync directory tree structure with restricted depth and exclude specific folders

Question

I want to rysnc my folder and subfolder tree structure without their files but with a max depth of 3 (/folder1/folder2/folder3) and exclude specific folders (ex. cache/)

I have tried this command:

$ rsync -azv --include=*/ --exclude=* --exclude=cache/ --exclude=/*/*/*/ source/ destination/

but it is not working... it is copying all folders and subfolders; it does not respect the max depth and it is not excluding cache folder

Do it need to use another parameter to restrict the max depth of the rsyc; what is wrong with my existing parameters?

p.s. last time I asked this question, it was tagged as duplicate of Rsync filter: copying one pattern only

It is not as it does not deal with max depth nor deal with rsync directory tree structure only. thx

Answer 1

You need to exclude the multi-level pattern before including */ as the latter means "include all directories", overriding the later exclude. You also need to add an extra level as */ indicates a directory and /*/*/*/ hence means "exclude three or more levels.

The command becomes:

rsync -azv --exclude='/*/*/*/*/' --include='*/' --exclude='*' --exclude=cache/ source/ destination/

(as Wildcard already commented you must always quote or escape shell metacharacters.)

Answer 2

To sync two directory trees while respecting the max depth limit of three subdirectories use:

rsync -avz /source/ /destination --exclude "/**/**/**/*" --exclude=cache

This will also exclude the directory called cache anywhere in the source path.