Using the "readfile" shortcode - where to store included .md so it is not processed by Hugo?

[hurrellit]

I would like to use the readfile shortcode to include some markdown that is stored in another .md file. My structure is like this:

- folder1
	- _index.md
	- file.md
	- file_to_include.md
	- folder2
	       - index.md
	- folder3
	       - index.md

I am using the readfile shortcode in the folder1/_index.md file to pull in file_to_include.md, like this:

{{% readfile "file_to_include.md" %}}

The short code works great and my content is included exactly how I want it, BUT Hugo processes the file_to_include.md file and tries to add it to the left hand TOC. Since the file_to_include.md file does not contain any frontmatter, only the markdown I want to use in the other page, it just creates an empty space in the TOC, like this:

I know that I can get around this by using folder1/index.md instead of folder1/_index.md since this would create a leaf bundle and ignores everything else in the folder, but this is not what I want.

So, does anyone have any ideas about where I can store the included markdown so that Hugo does not process it? I have tried using draft: true and adding that as the only thing in the frontmatter of file_to_include.md but it just outputs this front matter in _index.md.

I suspect there is an easy answer but I am missing something here!
thanks

[fekete-robert]

Hi, I use a headless directory to store such snippets. Create a content/headless directory, and place an index.md file in it that has headless = true in its frontmatter.

…

On Thu, Mar 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM James Hurrell ***@***.***> wrote: I would like to use the readfile shortcode to include some markdown that is stored in another .md file. My structure is like this: - folder1 - _index.md - file.md - file_to_include.md - folder2 - index.md - folder3 - index.md I am using the readfile shortcode in the folder1/_index.md file to pull in file_to_include.md, like this: {{% readfile "file_to_include.md" %}} The short code works great and my content is included exactly how I want it, BUT Hugo processes the file_to_include.md file and tries to add it to the left hand TOC. Since the file_to_include.md file does not contain any frontmatter, only the markdown I want to use in the other page, it just creates an empty space in the TOC, like this: image.png (view on web) <https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6ff3cdd6-1f94-41ad-9bec-2ca7b5905e78> I know that I can get around this by using folder1/index.md instead of folder1/_index.md since this would create a leaf bundle and ignores everything else in the folder, but this is not what I want. So, does anyone have any ideas about where I can store the included markdown so that Hugo does not process it? I have tried using draft: true and adding that as the only thing in the frontmatter of file_to_include.md but it just outputs this front matter in _index.md. I suspect there is an easy answer but I am missing something here! thanks — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#2198>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AA6AU3JUIAQFKX6DQ56JPID2TA62PAVCNFSM6AAAAABYOS4VNKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ERDJONRXK43TNFXW4OZYGA2DMNRUGE> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[hurrellit]

Thank you @fekete-robert! This worked! Much appreciated. I had seen this headless variable, but didn't understand it could be used in this way.

In fact I was able to keep the includes in a folder under folder1 and just added an index.md with the following content:

---
headless: true
---

[boevski]

Another option is using a hidden directory (name starting with a dot).
For example, create /content/<lang>/.reused/legal.md.
Then in your other files use: {{< readfile "/.reused/legal.md" >}} or {{% readfile "/.reused/legal.md" %}}.

[hurrellit]

Thanks, that's a good tip.