diff --git a/cmd/lx/golden_test.go b/cmd/lx/golden_test.go
index eed79db..57fd27f 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/golden_test.go
+++ b/cmd/lx/golden_test.go
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ func TestGolden(t *testing.T) {
 		}},
 		{name: "101_stdin_null_terminated", args: []string{"-0"}, stdin: "main.go\x00README.md\x00spaces/file with spaces.txt\x00"},
 		{name: "102_walk_nested_respects_root_ignore", args: []string{"parent_ignore_test/level1/level2"}},
+		{name: "103_complex_ignore_exceptions", args: []string{"ignore_exception_test"}},
 	}
 
 	runGoldenTests(t, cases, pkgDir, workDir, canonicalWorkDir)
@@ -446,6 +447,26 @@ func setupComplexFixture(t *testing.T) string {
 	create("parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/ignore_me.tmp", "ignore", 0644)
 	create("parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go", "package level2", 0644)
 
+	// --- Complex Ignore Exceptions Test ---
+	ignoreContent := "*\n!/src/**\n!/migrations/**\n!/assets/**\n!/data/**/*.data.xlsx\n!/data/**/index.json\n!langgraph.json\n!pyproject.toml\n!uv.lock\n"
+	create("ignore_exception_test/.gitignore", ignoreContent, 0644)
+
+	// Files that SHOULD BE KEPT (un-ignored)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/src/main.go", "package main", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql", "SELECT 1;", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png", "image_data", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx", "excel_data", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/data/index.json", "{}", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json", "{}", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml", "[tool]", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/uv.lock", "lock_data", 0644)
+
+	// Files that SHOULD BE IGNORED
+	create("ignore_exception_test/should_ignore.txt", "ignore me", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/data/secret.csv", "1,2,3", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/ignore.xlsx", "ignore", 0644)
+	create("ignore_exception_test/other_dir/file.go", "package other", 0644)
+
 	// Image test asset
 	create("assets/logo.png", "\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n\x00\x00\x00\x0D", 0644)
 
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/001_walk_default.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/001_walk_default.golden
index 0445a1b..cae6ec4 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/001_walk_default.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/001_walk_default.golden
@@ -1,132 +1,176 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/24] README.md (2 rows)
+[1/32] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/24] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[2/32] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[3/24] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[3/32] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[4/24] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/32] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[5/24] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/32] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[6/24] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/32] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[7/24] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/32] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[8/24] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[8/32] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[9/24] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[9/32] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[10/32] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[11/32] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[12/32] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/32] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[14/32] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[15/32] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[16/32] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[17/32] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[10/24] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[18/32] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[11/24] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[19/32] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[12/24] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[20/32] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[13/24] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[21/32] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[14/24] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[22/32] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[15/24] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[23/32] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[16/24] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[24/32] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[17/24] main.go (2 rows)
+[25/32] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[18/24] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[26/32] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[19/24] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[27/32] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[20/24] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[28/32] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[21/24] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[29/32] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[22/24] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[30/32] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -231,13 +275,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[23/24] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[31/32] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[24/24] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[32/32] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/002_walk_compact.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/002_walk_compact.golden
index 6c7610a..eebc607 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/002_walk_compact.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/002_walk_compact.golden
@@ -1,29 +1,37 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/24] README.md (2 rows)
-[2/24] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
-[3/24] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
-[4/24] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
-[5/24] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
-[6/24] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
-[7/24] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
-[8/24] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
-[9/24] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
-[10/24] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
-[11/24] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
-[12/24] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
-[13/24] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
-[14/24] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
-[15/24] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
-[16/24] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
-[17/24] main.go (2 rows)
-[18/24] main_test.go (2 rows)
-[19/24] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
-[20/24] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
-[21/24] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
-[22/24] src/large.txt (100 rows)
-[23/24] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[1/32] README.md (2 rows)
+[2/32] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[3/32] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/32] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/32] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/32] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/32] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[8/32] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[9/32] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+[10/32] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+[11/32] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+[12/32] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+[13/32] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+[14/32] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+[15/32] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+[16/32] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+[17/32] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[18/32] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[19/32] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[20/32] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[21/32] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[22/32] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[23/32] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[24/32] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[25/32] main.go (2 rows)
+[26/32] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[27/32] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[28/32] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[29/32] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[30/32] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[31/32] src/script.py (1 rows)
 
-[24/24] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[32/32] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/010_fmt_xml.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/010_fmt_xml.golden
index 666fb68..c2fe990 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/010_fmt_xml.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/010_fmt_xml.golden
@@ -55,28 +55,82 @@ some notes
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="9" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="9">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png</source>
+    <error>Binary file (10 B)</error>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="10" language="json" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/data/index.json</source>
+    <document_content>
+{}
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="11" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx</source>
+    <document_content>
+excel_data
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="12" language="json" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json</source>
+    <document_content>
+{}
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="13" language="sql" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql</source>
+    <document_content>
+SELECT 1;
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="14" language="toml" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml</source>
+    <document_content>
+[tool]
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="15" language="go" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/src/main.go</source>
+    <document_content>
+package main
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="16" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/uv.lock</source>
+    <document_content>
+lock_data
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="17" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>ignore_test/foo.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package foo
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="10" language="dockerfile" rows="1">
+  <document index="18" language="dockerfile" rows="1">
     <source>langs/Dockerfile</source>
     <document_content>
 FROM scratch
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="11" language="rust" rows="1">
+  <document index="19" language="rust" rows="1">
     <source>langs/main.rs</source>
     <document_content>
 fn main() {}
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="12" language="bash" rows="2">
+  <document index="20" language="bash" rows="2">
     <source>langs/script_no_ext</source>
     <document_content>
 #!/bin/bash
@@ -84,21 +138,21 @@ echo hi
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="13" language="text" rows="1">
+  <document index="21" language="text" rows="1">
     <source>links/cycle_a/visible.txt</source>
     <document_content>
 a
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="14" language="text" rows="1">
+  <document index="22" language="text" rows="1">
     <source>links/cycle_b/visible.txt</source>
     <document_content>
 b
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="15" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="23" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>links/link_to_main.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package main
@@ -106,14 +160,14 @@ func main() {}
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="16" language="text" rows="1">
+  <document index="24" language="text" rows="1">
     <source>links/safe_target/recursion.txt</source>
     <document_content>
 I am safe
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="17" language="go" rows="2">
+  <document index="25" language="go" rows="2">
     <source>main.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package main
@@ -121,7 +175,7 @@ func main() {}
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="18" language="go" rows="2">
+  <document index="26" language="go" rows="2">
     <source>main_test.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package main
@@ -129,28 +183,28 @@ import "testing"
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="19" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="27" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package level2
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="20" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="28" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>pkg/util.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package pkg
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="21" language="text" rows="1">
+  <document index="29" language="text" rows="1">
     <source>spaces/file with spaces.txt</source>
     <document_content>
 content with spaces
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="22" language="text" rows="100">
+  <document index="30" language="text" rows="100">
     <source>src/large.txt</source>
     <document_content>
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -256,14 +310,14 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="23" language="python" rows="1">
+  <document index="31" language="python" rows="1">
     <source>src/script.py</source>
     <document_content>
 print('hello')
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="24">
+  <document index="32">
     <source>/ROOT/content/links/broken_link</source>
     <error>open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND</error>
   </document>
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/030_include_only_go.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/030_include_only_go.golden
index fede645..97c9611 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/030_include_only_go.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/030_include_only_go.golden
@@ -1,38 +1,44 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/6] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[1/7] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[2/7] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[2/6] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[3/7] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[3/6] main.go (2 rows)
+[4/7] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[4/6] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[5/7] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[5/6] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[6/7] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[6/6] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[7/7] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/031_exclude_tests.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/031_exclude_tests.golden
index 2d956d7..46f8c79 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/031_exclude_tests.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/031_exclude_tests.golden
@@ -1,125 +1,169 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/23] README.md (2 rows)
+[1/31] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/23] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[2/31] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[3/23] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[3/31] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[4/23] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/31] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[5/23] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/31] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[6/23] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/31] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[7/23] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/31] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[8/23] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[8/31] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[9/23] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[9/31] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[10/31] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[11/31] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[12/31] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/31] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[14/31] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[15/31] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[16/31] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[17/31] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[10/23] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[18/31] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[11/23] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[19/31] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[12/23] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[20/31] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[13/23] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[21/31] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[14/23] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[22/31] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[15/23] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[23/31] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[16/23] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[24/31] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[17/23] main.go (2 rows)
+[25/31] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[18/23] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[26/31] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[19/23] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[27/31] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[20/23] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[28/31] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[21/23] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[29/31] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -224,13 +268,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[22/23] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[30/31] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[23/23] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[31/31] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/032_mixed_filters.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/032_mixed_filters.golden
index aab2ca1..24efaad 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/032_mixed_filters.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/032_mixed_filters.golden
@@ -1,31 +1,37 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/5] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[1/6] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[2/6] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[2/5] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[3/6] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[3/5] main.go (2 rows)
+[4/6] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[4/5] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[5/6] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[5/5] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[6/6] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/033_filter_reset.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/033_filter_reset.golden
index cd4585a..c3284c0 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/033_filter_reset.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/033_filter_reset.golden
@@ -9,134 +9,178 @@ Documentation here.
 ## All
 ---
 
-[1/24] README.md (2 rows)
+[1/32] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/24] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[2/32] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[3/24] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[3/32] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[4/24] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/32] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[5/24] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/32] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[6/24] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/32] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[7/24] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/32] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[8/24] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[8/32] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[9/24] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[9/32] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[10/32] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[11/32] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[12/32] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/32] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[14/32] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[15/32] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[16/32] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[17/32] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[10/24] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[18/32] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[11/24] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[19/32] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[12/24] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[20/32] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[13/24] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[21/32] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[14/24] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[22/32] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[15/24] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[23/32] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[16/24] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[24/32] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[17/24] main.go (2 rows)
+[25/32] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[18/24] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[26/32] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[19/24] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[27/32] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[20/24] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[28/32] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[21/24] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[29/32] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[22/24] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[30/32] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -241,13 +285,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[23/24] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[31/32] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[24/24] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[32/32] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/034_hidden_files.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/034_hidden_files.golden
index e33a88d..e05571d 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/034_hidden_files.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/034_hidden_files.golden
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/27] .gitignore (3 rows)
+[1/35] .gitignore (3 rows)
 ---
 ```gitignore
 bin/
@@ -7,146 +7,190 @@ secret/
 *.tmp
 ```
 
-[2/27] .hidden (1 rows)
+[2/35] .hidden (1 rows)
 ---
 ```
 i am hidden
 ```
 
-[3/27] README.md (2 rows)
+[3/35] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[4/27] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[4/35] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[5/27] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/35] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[6/27] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/35] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[7/27] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/35] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[8/27] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[8/35] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[9/27] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[9/35] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[10/27] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[10/35] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[11/27] ignore_test/.gitignore (1 rows)
+[11/35] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[12/35] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/35] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[14/35] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[15/35] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[16/35] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[17/35] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[18/35] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[19/35] ignore_test/.gitignore (1 rows)
 ---
 ```gitignore
 bar.go
 ```
 
-[12/27] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[20/35] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[13/27] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[21/35] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[14/27] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[22/35] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[15/27] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[23/35] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[16/27] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[24/35] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[17/27] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[25/35] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[18/27] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[26/35] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[19/27] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[27/35] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[20/27] main.go (2 rows)
+[28/35] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[21/27] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[29/35] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[22/27] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[30/35] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[23/27] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[31/35] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[24/27] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[32/35] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[25/27] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[33/35] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -251,13 +295,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[26/27] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[34/35] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[27/27] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[35/35] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/035_no_ignore_files.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/035_no_ignore_files.golden
index 391c55d..0b73a3c 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/035_no_ignore_files.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/035_no_ignore_files.golden
@@ -1,148 +1,216 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/29] README.md (2 rows)
+[1/41] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/29] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
-[3/29] bin/data.bin - binary file skipped (4 B)
-[4/29] bin/empty.txt (0 rows)
+[2/41] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[3/41] bin/data.bin - binary file skipped (4 B)
+[4/41] bin/empty.txt (0 rows)
 
-[5/29] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/41] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[6/29] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/41] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[7/29] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/41] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[8/29] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[8/41] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[9/29] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[9/41] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[10/29] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[10/41] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[11/29] ignore_test/bar.go (1 rows)
+[11/41] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[12/41] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/41] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/ignore.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+ignore
+```
+
+[14/41] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[15/41] ignore_exception_test/data/secret.csv (1 rows)
+---
+```csv
+1,2,3
+```
+
+[16/41] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[17/41] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[18/41] ignore_exception_test/other_dir/file.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package other
+```
+
+[19/41] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[20/41] ignore_exception_test/should_ignore.txt (1 rows)
+---
+```text
+ignore me
+```
+
+[21/41] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[22/41] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[23/41] ignore_test/bar.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package bar
 ```
 
-[12/29] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[24/41] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[13/29] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[25/41] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[14/29] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[26/41] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[15/29] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[27/41] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[16/29] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[28/41] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[17/29] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[29/41] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[18/29] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[30/41] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[19/29] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[31/41] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[20/29] main.go (2 rows)
+[32/41] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[21/29] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[33/41] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[22/29] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/ignore_me.tmp (1 rows)
+[34/41] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/ignore_me.tmp (1 rows)
 ---
 ```
 ignore
 ```
 
-[23/29] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[35/41] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[24/29] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[36/41] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[25/29] secret/locked.txt - error: open secret/locked.txt: PERMISSION_DENIED
+[37/41] secret/locked.txt - error: open secret/locked.txt: PERMISSION_DENIED
 
-[26/29] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[38/41] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[27/29] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[39/41] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -247,13 +315,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[28/29] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[40/41] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[29/29] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[41/41] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/036_exclude_dir.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/036_exclude_dir.golden
index eb97fd8..3511de3 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/036_exclude_dir.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/036_exclude_dir.golden
@@ -1,132 +1,170 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/22] README.md (2 rows)
+[1/29] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/22] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[2/29] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[3/22] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[3/29] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[4/22] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/29] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[5/22] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/29] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[6/22] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/29] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[7/22] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/29] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[8/22] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[8/29] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[9/22] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[9/29] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[10/29] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[11/29] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[12/29] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/29] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[14/29] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[15/29] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[16/29] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[10/22] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[17/29] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[11/22] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[18/29] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[12/22] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[19/29] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[13/22] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[20/29] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[14/22] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[21/29] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[15/22] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[22/29] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[16/22] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[23/29] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[17/22] main.go (2 rows)
+[24/29] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[18/22] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[25/29] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[19/22] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[26/29] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[20/22] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[27/29] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[21/22] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[28/29] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[22/22] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[29/29] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/040_lines_limit.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/040_lines_limit.golden
index 4f07483..183c562 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/040_lines_limit.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/040_lines_limit.golden
@@ -1,87 +1,131 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/24] README.md (2 rows)
+[1/32] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/24] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[2/32] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[3/24] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[3/32] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[4/24] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/32] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[5/24] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/32] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[6/24] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/32] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[7/24] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/32] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[8/24] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[8/32] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[9/24] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[9/32] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[10/32] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[11/32] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[12/32] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/32] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[14/32] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[15/32] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[16/32] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[17/32] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[10/24] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[18/32] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[11/24] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[19/32] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[12/24] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[20/32] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[13/24] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[21/32] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[14/24] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[22/32] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[15/24] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[23/32] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
@@ -90,45 +134,45 @@ package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[16/24] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[24/32] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[17/24] main.go (2 rows)
+[25/32] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[18/24] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[26/32] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[19/24] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[27/32] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[20/24] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[28/32] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[21/24] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[29/32] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[22/24] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[30/32] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -138,13 +182,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[23/24] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[31/32] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[24/24] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[32/32] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/090_config_hidden.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/090_config_hidden.golden
index e33a88d..e05571d 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/090_config_hidden.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/090_config_hidden.golden
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/27] .gitignore (3 rows)
+[1/35] .gitignore (3 rows)
 ---
 ```gitignore
 bin/
@@ -7,146 +7,190 @@ secret/
 *.tmp
 ```
 
-[2/27] .hidden (1 rows)
+[2/35] .hidden (1 rows)
 ---
 ```
 i am hidden
 ```
 
-[3/27] README.md (2 rows)
+[3/35] README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[4/27] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[4/35] assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[5/27] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/35] configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[6/27] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/35] configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[7/27] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/35] configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[8/27] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[8/35] configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[9/27] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[9/35] configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[10/27] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[10/35] doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[11/27] ignore_test/.gitignore (1 rows)
+[11/35] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[12/35] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/35] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[14/35] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[15/35] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[16/35] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[17/35] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[18/35] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[19/35] ignore_test/.gitignore (1 rows)
 ---
 ```gitignore
 bar.go
 ```
 
-[12/27] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[20/35] ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[13/27] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[21/35] langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[14/27] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
+[22/35] langs/main.rs (1 rows)
 ---
 ```rust
 fn main() {}
 ```
 
-[15/27] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[23/35] langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[16/27] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[24/35] links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[17/27] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[25/35] links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[18/27] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
+[26/35] links/link_to_main.go (~1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[19/27] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[27/35] links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[20/27] main.go (2 rows)
+[28/35] main.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[21/27] main_test.go (2 rows)
+[29/35] main_test.go (2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 import "testing"
 ```
 
-[22/27] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[30/35] parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[23/27] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[31/35] pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[24/27] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[32/35] spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[25/27] src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[33/35] src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -251,13 +295,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[26/27] src/script.py (1 rows)
+[34/35] src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[27/27] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[35/35] /ROOT/content/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/100_complex_review_bundle.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/100_complex_review_bundle.golden
index 4da6504..4c6c769 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/100_complex_review_bundle.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/100_complex_review_bundle.golden
@@ -48,13 +48,20 @@ no_file_links: true
   <section_name>Source</section_name>
 
   <document index="6" language="go" rows="1">
+    <source>ignore_exception_test/src/main.go</source>
+    <document_content>
+package main
+    </document_content>
+  </document>
+
+  <document index="7" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>ignore_test/foo.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package foo
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="7" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="8" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>links/link_to_main.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package main
@@ -62,7 +69,7 @@ func main() {}
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="8" language="go" rows="2">
+  <document index="9" language="go" rows="2">
     <source>main.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package main
@@ -70,14 +77,14 @@ func main() {}
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="9" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="10" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package level2
     </document_content>
   </document>
 
-  <document index="10" language="go" rows="1">
+  <document index="11" language="go" rows="1">
     <source>pkg/util.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package pkg
@@ -88,7 +95,7 @@ package pkg
 <section>
   <section_name>Tests</section_name>
 
-  <document index="11" language="go" rows="2">
+  <document index="12" language="go" rows="2">
     <source>main_test.go</source>
     <document_content>
 package main
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/103_complex_ignore_exceptions.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/103_complex_ignore_exceptions.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d502adc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/103_complex_ignore_exceptions.golden
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+--- STDOUT ---
+[1/8] ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[2/8] ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[3/8] ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[4/8] ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[5/8] ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[6/8] ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[7/8] ignore_exception_test/src/main.go (1 rows)
+---
+```go
+package main
+```
+
+[8/8] ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+
+--- STDERR ---
diff --git a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/241_relative_exclude_parent_dir.golden b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/241_relative_exclude_parent_dir.golden
index e0c019d..e95e27a 100644
--- a/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/241_relative_exclude_parent_dir.golden
+++ b/cmd/lx/testdata/golden/241_relative_exclude_parent_dir.golden
@@ -1,112 +1,150 @@
 --- STDOUT ---
-[1/21] ../README.md (2 rows)
+[1/28] ../README.md (2 rows)
 ---
 ```markdown
 # Project
 Documentation here.
 ```
 
-[2/21] ../assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
+[2/28] ../assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (12 B)
 
-[3/21] ../configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
+[3/28] ../configs/custom_sections.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 section_header_template: "*** {{ .Body }} ***\n"
 ```
 
-[4/21] ../configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
+[4/28] ../configs/custom_template.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 file_content_template: "File: {{ .Path }}\nContent:\n{{ .Content }}"
 ```
 
-[5/21] ../configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
+[5/28] ../configs/follow.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 follow_symlinks: true
 ```
 
-[6/21] ../configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
+[6/28] ../configs/hidden.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 show_hidden: true
 ```
 
-[7/21] ../configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
+[7/28] ../configs/no_links.yaml (1 rows)
 ---
 ```yaml
 no_file_links: true
 ```
 
-[8/21] ../doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
+[8/28] ../doc/notes.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 some notes
 ```
 
-[9/21] ../ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
+[9/28] ../ignore_exception_test/assets/logo.png - binary file skipped (10 B)
+
+[10/28] ../ignore_exception_test/data/index.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[11/28] ../ignore_exception_test/data/nested/deep/my.data.xlsx (1 rows)
+---
+```
+excel_data
+```
+
+[12/28] ../ignore_exception_test/langgraph.json (1 rows)
+---
+```json
+{}
+```
+
+[13/28] ../ignore_exception_test/migrations/001_init.sql (1 rows)
+---
+```sql
+SELECT 1;
+```
+
+[14/28] ../ignore_exception_test/pyproject.toml (1 rows)
+---
+```toml
+[tool]
+```
+
+[15/28] ../ignore_exception_test/uv.lock (1 rows)
+---
+```
+lock_data
+```
+
+[16/28] ../ignore_test/foo.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package foo
 ```
 
-[10/21] ../langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
+[17/28] ../langs/Dockerfile (1 rows)
 ---
 ```dockerfile
 FROM scratch
 ```
 
-[11/21] ../langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
+[18/28] ../langs/script_no_ext (2 rows)
 ---
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 echo hi
 ```
 
-[12/21] ../links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[19/28] ../links/cycle_a/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 a
 ```
 
-[13/21] ../links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
+[20/28] ../links/cycle_b/visible.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 b
 ```
 
-[14/21] ../links/link_to_main.go (~2 rows)
+[21/28] ../links/link_to_main.go (~2 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package main
 func main() {}
 ```
 
-[15/21] ../links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
+[22/28] ../links/safe_target/recursion.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 I am safe
 ```
 
-[16/21] ../parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
+[23/28] ../parent_ignore_test/level1/level2/keep_me.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package level2
 ```
 
-[17/21] ../pkg/util.go (1 rows)
+[24/28] ../pkg/util.go (1 rows)
 ---
 ```go
 package pkg
 ```
 
-[18/21] ../spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
+[25/28] ../spaces/file with spaces.txt (1 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 content with spaces
 ```
 
-[19/21] ../src/large.txt (100 rows)
+[26/28] ../src/large.txt (100 rows)
 ---
 ```text
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
@@ -211,13 +249,13 @@ Line xxxxxxxxxx
 Line xxxxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-[20/21] ../src/script.py (1 rows)
+[27/28] ../src/script.py (1 rows)
 ---
 ```python
 print('hello')
 ```
 
-[21/21] ../ROOT/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
+[28/28] ../ROOT/links/broken_link - error: open /ROOT/content/links/broken_link: FILE_NOT_FOUND
 
 
 --- STDERR ---