diff --git a/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/ExportModal.vue b/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/ExportModal.vue
index e97f833f5c..314d171c1d 100644
--- a/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/ExportModal.vue
+++ b/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/ExportModal.vue
@@ -11,15 +11,10 @@ import {
 	useVIntl,
 } from '@modrinth/ui'
 import { save } from '@tauri-apps/plugin-dialog'
-import { readDir, stat } from '@tauri-apps/plugin-fs'
-import { ref } from 'vue'
+import { ref, shallowRef } from 'vue'
 
 import { PackageIcon } from '@/assets/icons'
-import {
-	export_instance_mrpack,
-	get_full_path,
-	get_pack_export_candidates,
-} from '@/helpers/instance'
+import { export_instance_mrpack, get_pack_export_candidates } from '@/helpers/instance'
 
 const { handleError } = injectNotificationManager()
 const { formatMessage } = useVIntl()
@@ -65,30 +60,24 @@ const exportModal = ref(null)
 const nameInput = ref(props.instance.name)
 const exportDescription = ref('')
 const versionInput = ref('1.0.0')
-const files = ref([])
-const selectedFilePaths = ref([])
+const files = shallowRef([])
+const includedFilePaths = ref([])
+const excludedFilePaths = ref([])
 const fileTreeKey = ref(0)
 const filesLoadId = ref(0)
-const instanceRoot = ref('')
-const loadedDirectories = ref(new Set())
+const directoryEntries = new Map()
+const currentDirectory = ref('')
 
 async function initFiles() {
 	const loadId = ++filesLoadId.value
-	const [filePaths, root] = await Promise.all([
-		get_pack_export_candidates(props.instance.id),
-		get_full_path(props.instance.id),
-	])
-	if (loadId !== filesLoadId.value) return
-
-	instanceRoot.value = root
-	const exportCandidates = await Promise.all(
-		filePaths.map((path) => buildExportCandidateItem(root, path)),
-	)
+	const exportCandidates = await get_pack_export_candidates(props.instance.id)
 	if (loadId !== filesLoadId.value) return
 
 	files.value = exportCandidates
-	selectedFilePaths.value = files.value
-		.filter((file) => !file.disabled && isDefaultSelectedExportCandidate(file.path))
+	directoryEntries.set('', exportCandidates)
+	currentDirectory.value = ''
+	includedFilePaths.value = files.value
+		.filter((file) => !file.disabled && file.defaultSelected)
 		.map((file) => file.path)
 }
 
@@ -107,7 +96,8 @@ const exportPack = async () => {
 		export_instance_mrpack(
 			props.instance.id,
 			outputPath,
-			selectedFilePaths.value,
+			includedFilePaths.value,
+			excludedFilePaths.value,
 			versionInput.value,
 			exportDescription.value,
 			nameInput.value,
@@ -121,115 +111,45 @@ function resetExportState() {
 	exportDescription.value = ''
 	versionInput.value = '1.0.0'
 	files.value = []
-	selectedFilePaths.value = []
+	includedFilePaths.value = []
+	excludedFilePaths.value = []
 	fileTreeKey.value += 1
-	instanceRoot.value = ''
-	loadedDirectories.value = new Set()
+	directoryEntries.clear()
+	currentDirectory.value = ''
 }
 
 async function loadExportDirectory(path) {
-	if (!path || !instanceRoot.value || loadedDirectories.value.has(path)) return
+	const normalizedPath = normalizeExportPath(path)
+	currentDirectory.value = normalizedPath
+
+	const cachedEntries = directoryEntries.get(normalizedPath)
+	if (cachedEntries) {
+		files.value = cachedEntries
+		return
+	}
 
 	const loadId = filesLoadId.value
-	loadedDirectories.value.add(path)
+	files.value = []
 
 	try {
-		const entries = await readDir(`${instanceRoot.value}/${path}`)
-		const childItems = await Promise.all(
-			entries.map((entry) => buildExportDirectoryChildItem(instanceRoot.value, path, entry)),
+		const childItems = await get_pack_export_candidates(
+			props.instance.id,
+			normalizedPath || undefined,
 		)
 		if (loadId !== filesLoadId.value) return
 
-		appendExportItems(childItems)
-	} catch {
-		loadedDirectories.value.delete(path)
-	}
-}
-
-async function buildExportCandidateItem(instanceRoot, path) {
-	try {
-		const entries = await readDir(`${instanceRoot}/${path}`)
-		const metadata = await getExportCandidateMetadata(instanceRoot, path)
-		return {
-			path,
-			type: 'directory',
-			disabled: isExportCandidateDisabled(path),
-			modified: metadata.modified,
-			count: entries.length,
+		directoryEntries.set(normalizedPath, childItems)
+		if (currentDirectory.value === normalizedPath) {
+			files.value = childItems
 		}
 	} catch {
-		return buildExportFileItem(instanceRoot, path)
-	}
-}
-
-async function buildExportDirectoryChildItem(instanceRoot, parentPath, entry) {
-	const path = `${parentPath}/${entry.name}`
-	if (entry.isDirectory) {
-		const metadata = await getExportCandidateMetadata(instanceRoot, path)
-		return {
-			path,
-			type: 'directory',
-			disabled: isExportCandidateDisabled(path),
-			modified: metadata.modified,
-		}
-	}
-
-	return buildExportFileItem(instanceRoot, path)
-}
-
-async function buildExportFileItem(instanceRoot, path) {
-	const metadata = await getExportCandidateMetadata(instanceRoot, path)
-	return {
-		path,
-		type: 'file',
-		disabled: isExportCandidateDisabled(path),
-		size: metadata.size,
-		modified: metadata.modified,
-	}
-}
-
-function appendExportItems(items) {
-	const nextFiles = new Map(files.value.map((file) => [normalizeExportPath(file.path), file]))
-	for (const item of items) {
-		nextFiles.set(normalizeExportPath(item.path), item)
-	}
-	files.value = [...nextFiles.values()]
-}
-
-async function getExportCandidateMetadata(instanceRoot, path) {
-	try {
-		const metadata = await stat(`${instanceRoot}/${path}`)
-		return {
-			size: metadata.size,
-			modified: metadata.mtime ? Math.floor(metadata.mtime.getTime() / 1000) : undefined,
-		}
-	} catch {
-		return {}
+		if (currentDirectory.value === normalizedPath) files.value = []
 	}
 }
 
 function normalizeExportPath(path) {
 	return path.replaceAll('\\', '/').split('/').filter(Boolean).join('/')
 }
-
-function isDefaultSelectedExportCandidate(path) {
-	return (
-		path.startsWith('mods') ||
-		path.startsWith('datapacks') ||
-		path.startsWith('resourcepacks') ||
-		path.startsWith('shaderpacks') ||
-		path.startsWith('config')
-	)
-}
-
-function isExportCandidateDisabled(path) {
-	return (
-		path === 'profile.json' ||
-		path.startsWith('modrinth_logs') ||
-		path.startsWith('.fabric') ||
-		path.startsWith('__MACOSX')
-	)
-}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -278,9 +198,11 @@ function isExportCandidateDisabled(path) {
 			</div>
 			<FileTreeSelect
 				:key="fileTreeKey"
-				v-model="selectedFilePaths"
+				v-model="includedFilePaths"
+				v-model:excluded-paths="excludedFilePaths"
 				class="min-w-0"
 				:items="files"
+				lazy
 				@navigate="loadExportDirectory"
 			/>
 		</div>
diff --git a/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/shared-instances/SharedInstancePublishModal.vue b/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/shared-instances/SharedInstancePublishModal.vue
index ca976e4d93..2ef93151c9 100644
--- a/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/shared-instances/SharedInstancePublishModal.vue
+++ b/apps/app-frontend/src/components/ui/shared-instances/SharedInstancePublishModal.vue
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@
 				<div class="flex min-w-0 flex-col gap-3 pt-4">
 					<div ref="configFileTreeContainer" class="max-h-[292px] overflow-y-auto rounded-[20px]">
 						<FileTreeSelect
-							v-model="selectedConfigPaths"
+							v-model="includedConfigPaths"
+							v-model:excluded-paths="excludedConfigPaths"
 							:items="configFileItems"
 							:show-size="false"
 							:show-modified="false"
@@ -79,11 +80,20 @@ const publishReviewModal = ref<InstanceType<typeof ContentDiffModal>>()
 const configFileTreeContainer = ref<HTMLElement>()
 const publishDiffs = ref<ContentDiffItem[]>([])
 const configFilePaths = ref<string[]>([])
-const selectedConfigPaths = ref<string[]>([])
+const includedConfigPaths = ref<string[]>([])
+const excludedConfigPaths = ref<string[]>([])
 const state = ref<SharedInstancePublishState>('idle')
 const configFileItems = computed<FileTreeSelectItem[]>(() =>
 	configFilePaths.value.map((path) => ({ path, type: 'file' })),
 )
+const selectedConfigPaths = computed(() => {
+	const includedPaths = new Set(includedConfigPaths.value)
+	const excludedPaths = new Set(excludedConfigPaths.value)
+
+	return configFilePaths.value.filter((path) =>
+		isConfigPathSelected(path, includedPaths, excludedPaths),
+	)
+})
 
 async function show(e?: MouseEvent) {
 	if (state.value !== 'idle') return
@@ -108,7 +118,8 @@ async function show(e?: MouseEvent) {
 			disabled: diff.disabled,
 		}))
 		configFilePaths.value = preview.configFiles
-		selectedConfigPaths.value = []
+		includedConfigPaths.value = []
+		excludedConfigPaths.value = []
 		if (!publishReviewModal.value) return
 
 		publishReviewModal.value.show(e)
@@ -134,6 +145,23 @@ async function publishChanges() {
 	}
 }
 
+function isConfigPathSelected(
+	path: string,
+	includedPaths: Set<string>,
+	excludedPaths: Set<string>,
+) {
+	let selected = false
+	let prefix = ''
+
+	for (const segment of path.split('/').filter(Boolean)) {
+		prefix = prefix ? `${prefix}/${segment}` : segment
+		if (includedPaths.has(prefix)) selected = true
+		if (excludedPaths.has(prefix)) selected = false
+	}
+
+	return selected
+}
+
 function scrollConfigFileTreeToTop() {
 	if (configFileTreeContainer.value) {
 		configFileTreeContainer.value.scrollTop = 0
diff --git a/apps/app-frontend/src/helpers/instance.ts b/apps/app-frontend/src/helpers/instance.ts
index 512af7cf40..de112f2d27 100644
--- a/apps/app-frontend/src/helpers/instance.ts
+++ b/apps/app-frontend/src/helpers/instance.ts
@@ -282,12 +282,13 @@ export async function update_repair_modrinth(instanceId: string): Promise<Instal
 }
 
 // Export an instance to .mrpack
-// included_overrides is an array of paths to override folders to include (ie: 'mods', 'resource_packs')
+// included_overrides and excluded_overrides are inherited path rules for files in the export.
 // Version id is optional (ie: 1.1.5)
 export async function export_instance_mrpack(
 	instanceId: string,
 	exportLocation: string,
 	includedOverrides: string[],
+	excludedOverrides: string[],
 	versionId?: string,
 	description?: string,
 	name?: string,
@@ -296,22 +297,33 @@ export async function export_instance_mrpack(
 		instanceId,
 		exportLocation,
 		includedOverrides,
+		excludedOverrides,
 		versionId,
 		description,
 		name,
 	})
 }
 
-// Given a folder path, populate an array of all the subfolders
-// Intended to be used for finding potential override folders
-// profile
-// -- mods
-// -- resourcepacks
-// -- file1
-// => [mods, resourcepacks]
-// allows selection for 'included_overrides' in export_instance_mrpack
-export async function get_pack_export_candidates(instanceId: string): Promise<string[]> {
-	return await invoke('plugin:instance|instance_get_pack_export_candidates', { instanceId })
+export type PackExportCandidate = {
+	path: string
+	type: 'directory' | 'file'
+	size?: number
+	modified?: number
+	count?: number
+	disabled: boolean
+	defaultSelected: boolean
+}
+
+// Given a folder path, populate an array of exportable direct children.
+// Allows selection for 'included_overrides' in export_instance_mrpack.
+export async function get_pack_export_candidates(
+	instanceId: string,
+	parent?: string,
+): Promise<PackExportCandidate[]> {
+	return await invoke('plugin:instance|instance_get_pack_export_candidates', {
+		instanceId,
+		parent: parent ?? null,
+	})
 }
 
 // Run Minecraft using an instance
diff --git a/apps/app/src/api/instance.rs b/apps/app/src/api/instance.rs
index 570deca20b..29db061fd1 100644
--- a/apps/app/src/api/instance.rs
+++ b/apps/app/src/api/instance.rs
@@ -729,6 +729,7 @@ pub async fn instance_export_mrpack(
     instance_id: &str,
     export_location: PathBuf,
     included_overrides: Vec<String>,
+    excluded_overrides: Vec<String>,
     version_id: Option<String>,
     description: Option<String>,
     name: Option<String>,
@@ -737,6 +738,7 @@ pub async fn instance_export_mrpack(
         instance_id,
         export_location,
         included_overrides,
+        excluded_overrides,
         version_id,
         description,
         name,
@@ -748,8 +750,13 @@ pub async fn instance_export_mrpack(
 #[tauri::command]
 pub async fn instance_get_pack_export_candidates(
     instance_id: &str,
-) -> Result<Vec<SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf>> {
-    Ok(theseus::instance::get_pack_export_candidates(instance_id).await?)
+    parent: Option<SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf>,
+) -> Result<Vec<theseus::instance::PackExportCandidate>> {
+    Ok(theseus::instance::get_pack_export_candidates_for_parent(
+        instance_id,
+        parent,
+    )
+    .await?)
 }
 
 #[tauri::command]
diff --git a/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance.rs b/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance.rs
index 43f84769ba..872020863e 100644
--- a/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance.rs
+++ b/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ pub use self::content::{
     list_content_sets, sync_content_files,
 };
 pub use self::export_mrpack::{
-    create_mrpack_json, export_mrpack, get_pack_export_candidates,
+    PackExportCandidate, create_mrpack_json, export_mrpack,
+    get_pack_export_candidates, get_pack_export_candidates_for_parent,
 };
 pub use self::get::{get, get_many, list};
 pub use self::icon::edit_icon;
diff --git a/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance/export_mrpack.rs b/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance/export_mrpack.rs
index 6faada6f25..5c579358ef 100644
--- a/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance/export_mrpack.rs
+++ b/packages/app-lib/src/api/instance/export_mrpack.rs
@@ -12,17 +12,156 @@ use crate::state::{
 use crate::util::io::{self, IOError};
 use async_zip::tokio::write::ZipFileWriter;
 use async_zip::{Compression, ZipEntryBuilder};
+use futures::{StreamExt, stream};
 use path_util::SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
+use serde::Serialize;
+use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::time::UNIX_EPOCH;
 use tokio::fs::File;
-use tokio::io::AsyncReadExt;
+use tokio_util::compat::FuturesAsyncWriteCompatExt;
+
+const DEFAULT_SELECTED_EXPORT_PATH_PREFIXES: &[&str] = &[
+    "mods",
+    "datapacks",
+    "resourcepacks",
+    "shaderpacks",
+    "config",
+];
+const EXPORT_CANDIDATE_METADATA_CONCURRENCY: usize = 32;
+
+const NEVER_EXPORTABLE_PATH_PREFIXES: &[&str] = &[
+    "profile.json",
+    "modrinth_logs",
+    "mods/.connector",
+    ".sable/natives",
+    "local/crash_assistant",
+    "mods/mcef-libraries",
+    "mods/mcef-cache",
+    "config/super_resolution/libraries",
+    "config/Veinminer/update",
+    "config/epicfight/native",
+    "essential",
+    ".mixin.out",
+    ".fabric",
+    "__MACOSX",
+];
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
+pub struct PackExportCandidate {
+    pub path: SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf,
+    #[serde(rename = "type")]
+    pub kind: PackExportCandidateType,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub size: Option<u64>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub modified: Option<u64>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub count: Option<usize>,
+    pub disabled: bool,
+    pub default_selected: bool,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
+pub enum PackExportCandidateType {
+    Directory,
+    File,
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct ExportSelectionNode {
+    selected: Option<bool>,
+    has_included_rule: bool,
+    children: HashMap<String, ExportSelectionNode>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct ExportSelection {
+    root: ExportSelectionNode,
+}
+
+impl ExportSelection {
+    fn new(included_paths: Vec<String>, excluded_paths: Vec<String>) -> Self {
+        let mut rules = HashMap::new();
+
+        for (paths, selected) in
+            [(included_paths, true), (excluded_paths, false)]
+        {
+            for path in paths {
+                let Ok(path) = SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf::try_from(path)
+                else {
+                    continue;
+                };
+                if path.as_str().is_empty() || !is_path_exportable(&path) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                rules.insert(path.as_str().to_string(), selected);
+            }
+        }
+
+        let mut selection = Self::default();
+        for (path, selected) in rules {
+            selection.root.insert(&path, selected);
+        }
+        selection
+    }
+
+    fn is_included(&self, path: &SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf) -> bool {
+        self.resolve(path).0
+    }
+
+    fn should_visit_directory(
+        &self,
+        path: &SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf,
+    ) -> bool {
+        let (selected, node) = self.resolve(path);
+        selected || node.is_some_and(|node| node.has_included_rule)
+    }
+
+    fn resolve(
+        &self,
+        path: &SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf,
+    ) -> (bool, Option<&ExportSelectionNode>) {
+        let mut node = &self.root;
+        let mut selected = node.selected.unwrap_or(false);
+
+        for segment in path.as_str().split('/') {
+            let Some(child) = node.children.get(segment) else {
+                return (selected, None);
+            };
+            node = child;
+            selected = node.selected.unwrap_or(selected);
+        }
+
+        (selected, Some(node))
+    }
+}
+
+impl ExportSelectionNode {
+    fn insert(&mut self, path: &str, selected: bool) {
+        if selected {
+            self.has_included_rule = true;
+        }
+
+        let mut node = self;
+        for segment in path.split('/') {
+            node = node.children.entry(segment.to_string()).or_default();
+            if selected {
+                node.has_included_rule = true;
+            }
+        }
+        node.selected = Some(selected);
+    }
+}
 
 #[tracing::instrument(skip_all)]
 pub async fn export_mrpack(
     instance_id: &str,
     export_path: PathBuf,
     included_export_candidates: Vec<String>,
+    excluded_export_candidates: Vec<String>,
     version_id: Option<String>,
     description: Option<String>,
     _name: Option<String>,
@@ -35,17 +174,10 @@ pub async fn export_mrpack(
             "Tried to export a nonexistent instance {instance_id}!"
         ))
     })?;
-    let included_export_candidates = included_export_candidates
-        .into_iter()
-        .filter(|x| {
-            if let Some(f) = PathBuf::from(x).file_name()
-                && f.to_string_lossy().starts_with(".DS_Store")
-            {
-                return false;
-            }
-            true
-        })
-        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    let export_selection = ExportSelection::new(
+        included_export_candidates,
+        excluded_export_candidates,
+    );
 
     let instance_base_path = get_full_path(instance_id).await?;
     let mut file = File::create(&export_path)
@@ -56,48 +188,72 @@ pub async fn export_mrpack(
     let mut packfile =
         create_mrpack_json(&metadata, version_id, description).await?;
     packfile.files.retain(|f| {
-        is_export_candidate_included(
-            f.path.as_str(),
-            &included_export_candidates,
-        )
+        is_path_exportable(&f.path) && export_selection.is_included(&f.path)
     });
-
-    let mut path_list = Vec::new();
-    add_all_recursive_folder_paths(&instance_base_path, &mut path_list).await?;
+    let packfile_paths = packfile
+        .files
+        .iter()
+        .map(|file| file.path.as_str().to_string())
+        .collect::<HashSet<_>>();
     let loading_bar = init_loading(
         LoadingBarType::ZipExtract {
             instance_id: metadata.instance.id.clone(),
             instance_name: metadata.instance.name.clone(),
         },
-        path_list.len() as f64,
+        1.0,
         "Exporting instance to .mrpack",
     )
     .await?;
 
-    for path in path_list {
-        emit_loading(&loading_bar, 1.0, None)?;
-        let relative_path = pack_get_relative_path(&instance_base_path, &path)?;
-
-        if packfile.files.iter().any(|f| f.path == relative_path)
-            || !is_export_candidate_included(
-                relative_path.as_str(),
-                &included_export_candidates,
-            )
+    let mut directories = vec![instance_base_path.clone()];
+    while let Some(directory) = directories.pop() {
+        let mut read_dir = io::read_dir(&directory).await?;
+        while let Some(entry) = read_dir
+            .next_entry()
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, &directory))?
         {
-            continue;
-        }
+            let path = entry.path();
+            let relative_path =
+                pack_get_relative_path(&instance_base_path, &path)?;
+            if !is_path_exportable(&relative_path) {
+                continue;
+            }
 
-        if path.is_file() {
-            let mut file = File::open(&path)
+            let file_type = entry
+                .file_type()
                 .await
                 .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, &path))?;
-            let mut data = Vec::new();
-            file.read_to_end(&mut data).await.map_err(IOError::from)?;
-            let builder = ZipEntryBuilder::new(
-                format!("overrides/{relative_path}").into(),
-                Compression::Deflate,
-            );
-            writer.write_entry_whole(builder, &data).await?;
+            if file_type.is_dir() {
+                if export_selection.should_visit_directory(&relative_path) {
+                    directories.push(path);
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+            if !file_type.is_file()
+                || !export_selection.is_included(&relative_path)
+                || packfile_paths.contains(relative_path.as_str())
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            let mut stream = writer
+                .write_entry_stream(
+                    ZipEntryBuilder::new(
+                        format!("overrides/{relative_path}").into(),
+                        Compression::Deflate,
+                    )
+                    .build(),
+                )
+                .await?
+                .compat_write();
+            let mut source = File::open(&path)
+                .await
+                .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, &path))?;
+            tokio::io::copy(&mut source, &mut stream)
+                .await
+                .map_err(IOError::from)?;
+            stream.into_inner().close().await?;
         }
     }
 
@@ -108,18 +264,22 @@ pub async fn export_mrpack(
     );
     writer.write_entry_whole(builder, &data).await?;
     writer.close().await?;
+    emit_loading(&loading_bar, 1.0, None)?;
 
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn is_export_candidate_included(
-    path: &str,
-    included_export_candidates: &[String],
-) -> bool {
-    included_export_candidates.iter().any(|candidate| {
-        path == candidate
+fn is_path_exportable(relative_path: &SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf) -> bool {
+    let path = relative_path.as_str();
+
+    if path.ends_with(".DS_Store") {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    !NEVER_EXPORTABLE_PATH_PREFIXES.iter().any(|prefix| {
+        path == *prefix
             || path
-                .strip_prefix(candidate)
+                .strip_prefix(prefix)
                 .is_some_and(|suffix| suffix.starts_with('/'))
     })
 }
@@ -127,35 +287,115 @@ fn is_export_candidate_included(
 #[tracing::instrument]
 pub async fn get_pack_export_candidates(
     instance_id: &str,
-) -> crate::Result<Vec<SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf>> {
-    let mut path_list = Vec::new();
+) -> crate::Result<Vec<PackExportCandidate>> {
+    get_pack_export_candidates_for_parent(instance_id, None).await
+}
+
+#[tracing::instrument]
+pub async fn get_pack_export_candidates_for_parent(
+    instance_id: &str,
+    parent: Option<SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf>,
+) -> crate::Result<Vec<PackExportCandidate>> {
     let instance_base_dir = get_full_path(instance_id).await?;
-    let mut read_dir = io::read_dir(&instance_base_dir).await?;
+    let parent_dir = if let Some(parent) = parent {
+        if parent.as_str().is_empty() || !is_path_exportable(&parent) {
+            return Ok(Vec::new());
+        }
+
+        instance_base_dir.join(parent.as_str())
+    } else {
+        instance_base_dir.clone()
+    };
+    let parent_dir = io::canonicalize(parent_dir)?;
+    if !parent_dir.starts_with(&instance_base_dir) {
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
+
+    let mut paths = Vec::new();
+    let mut read_dir = io::read_dir(&parent_dir).await?;
     while let Some(entry) = read_dir
         .next_entry()
         .await
-        .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, &instance_base_dir))?
+        .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, &parent_dir))?
     {
-        let path = entry.path();
-        if path.is_dir() {
-            let mut read_dir = io::read_dir(&path).await?;
-            while let Some(entry) = read_dir
-                .next_entry()
-                .await
-                .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, &instance_base_dir))?
-            {
-                path_list.push(pack_get_relative_path(
-                    &instance_base_dir,
-                    &entry.path(),
-                )?);
+        paths.push(entry.path());
+    }
+
+    let candidates = stream::iter(paths)
+        .map(|path| {
+            let instance_base_dir = &instance_base_dir;
+            async move {
+                build_pack_export_candidate(instance_base_dir, &path).await
             }
-        } else {
-            path_list.push(pack_get_relative_path(&instance_base_dir, &path)?);
+        })
+        .buffer_unordered(EXPORT_CANDIDATE_METADATA_CONCURRENCY)
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+        .await;
+    let mut path_list = Vec::with_capacity(candidates.len());
+    for candidate in candidates {
+        if let Some(candidate) = candidate? {
+            path_list.push(candidate);
         }
     }
+
     Ok(path_list)
 }
 
+async fn build_pack_export_candidate(
+    instance_base_dir: &PathBuf,
+    path: &PathBuf,
+) -> crate::Result<Option<PackExportCandidate>> {
+    let relative_path = pack_get_relative_path(instance_base_dir, path)?;
+    if !is_path_exportable(&relative_path) {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+
+    let metadata = tokio::fs::symlink_metadata(path)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|error| IOError::with_path(error, path))?;
+    if metadata.file_type().is_symlink()
+        || (!metadata.is_dir() && !metadata.is_file())
+    {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+
+    let kind = if metadata.is_dir() {
+        PackExportCandidateType::Directory
+    } else {
+        PackExportCandidateType::File
+    };
+    let size = metadata.is_file().then_some(metadata.len());
+    let modified = metadata
+        .modified()
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|modified| modified.duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH).ok())
+        .map(|duration| duration.as_secs());
+    let default_selected = is_default_selected_export_candidate(&relative_path);
+
+    Ok(Some(PackExportCandidate {
+        path: relative_path,
+        kind,
+        size,
+        modified,
+        count: None,
+        disabled: false,
+        default_selected,
+    }))
+}
+
+fn is_default_selected_export_candidate(
+    relative_path: &SafeRelativeUtf8UnixPathBuf,
+) -> bool {
+    let path = relative_path.as_str();
+
+    DEFAULT_SELECTED_EXPORT_PATH_PREFIXES.iter().any(|prefix| {
+        path == *prefix
+            || path
+                .strip_prefix(prefix)
+                .is_some_and(|suffix| suffix.starts_with('/'))
+    })
+}
+
 fn pack_get_relative_path(
     instance_path: &PathBuf,
     path: &PathBuf,
@@ -283,25 +523,3 @@ pub async fn create_mrpack_json(
         dependencies,
     })
 }
-
-#[async_recursion::async_recursion]
-async fn add_all_recursive_folder_paths(
-    folder: &PathBuf,
-    output: &mut Vec<PathBuf>,
-) -> crate::Result<()> {
-    let mut read_dir = io::read_dir(folder).await?;
-    while let Some(entry) = read_dir
-        .next_entry()
-        .await
-        .map_err(|e| IOError::with_path(e, folder))?
-    {
-        let path = entry.path();
-        if path.is_dir() {
-            add_all_recursive_folder_paths(&path, output).await?;
-        } else {
-            output.push(path);
-        }
-    }
-
-    Ok(())
-}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/base/FileTreeSelect.vue b/packages/ui/src/components/base/FileTreeSelect.vue
index f64a42912d..2fe2f6ab31 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/base/FileTreeSelect.vue
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/base/FileTreeSelect.vue
@@ -258,6 +258,11 @@ type FileTreeSelectEntry = {
 	item?: NormalizedFileTreeSelectItem
 }
 
+type FileTreeSelectionRuleNode = {
+	selected?: boolean
+	children: Map<string, FileTreeSelectionRuleNode>
+}
+
 type FileTreeSelectSortField = 'name' | 'size' | 'modified'
 
 const formatBytes = useFormatBytes()
@@ -273,19 +278,22 @@ const props = withDefaults(
 	defineProps<{
 		items: FileTreeSelectItem[]
 		modelValue: string[]
+		excludedPaths: string[]
+		lazy?: boolean
 		showSize?: boolean
 		showModified?: boolean
 	}>(),
 	{
 		items: () => [],
 		modelValue: () => [],
+		lazy: false,
 		showSize: true,
 		showModified: true,
 	},
 )
 
 const emit = defineEmits<{
-	(e: 'update:modelValue', value: string[]): void
+	(e: 'update:modelValue' | 'update:excludedPaths', value: string[]): void
 	(e: 'navigate', path: string): void
 }>()
 
@@ -312,7 +320,23 @@ const normalizedItems = computed(() => {
 	return [...items.values()]
 })
 
-const selectedPaths = computed(() => new Set(props.modelValue.map((path) => normalizePath(path))))
+const includedPaths = computed(() => new Set(props.modelValue.map((path) => normalizePath(path))))
+const excludedPaths = computed(
+	() => new Set(props.excludedPaths.map((path) => normalizePath(path))),
+)
+
+const selectionRuleTree = computed(() => {
+	const root: FileTreeSelectionRuleNode = { children: new Map() }
+
+	for (const path of includedPaths.value) {
+		addSelectionRule(root, path, true)
+	}
+	for (const path of excludedPaths.value) {
+		addSelectionRule(root, path, false)
+	}
+
+	return root
+})
 
 const folderPaths = computed(() => {
 	const paths = new Set<string>()
@@ -361,24 +385,14 @@ const entries = computed<FileTreeSelectEntry[]>(() => {
 
 const visibleSelectableEntries = computed(() => entries.value.filter((entry) => !entry.disabled))
 
-const visibleSelectablePaths = computed(() => {
-	const paths = new Set<string>()
-	for (const entry of visibleSelectableEntries.value) {
-		for (const path of getEntrySelectablePaths(entry)) {
-			paths.add(path)
-		}
-	}
-	return [...paths]
-})
-
 const allVisibleSelected = computed(
 	() =>
-		visibleSelectablePaths.value.length > 0 &&
-		visibleSelectablePaths.value.every((path) => selectedPaths.value.has(path)),
+		visibleSelectableEntries.value.length > 0 &&
+		visibleSelectableEntries.value.every((entry) => entry.checked && !entry.indeterminate),
 )
 
 const someVisibleSelected = computed(() =>
-	visibleSelectablePaths.value.some((path) => selectedPaths.value.has(path)),
+	visibleSelectableEntries.value.some((entry) => entry.checked || entry.indeterminate),
 )
 
 const visibleRowCount = computed(
@@ -392,7 +406,7 @@ const fillerRowCount = computed(() =>
 watch(
 	normalizedItems,
 	() => {
-		if (currentPath.value && !folderPaths.value.has(currentPath.value)) {
+		if (!props.lazy && currentPath.value && !folderPaths.value.has(currentPath.value)) {
 			currentPath.value = ''
 		}
 	},
@@ -427,6 +441,57 @@ function getName(path: string) {
 	return path.split('/').pop() ?? path
 }
 
+function getParentPath(path: string) {
+	return path.split('/').slice(0, -1).join('/')
+}
+
+function addSelectionRule(root: FileTreeSelectionRuleNode, path: string, selected: boolean) {
+	if (!path) return
+
+	let node = root
+	for (const segment of path.split('/')) {
+		let child = node.children.get(segment)
+		if (!child) {
+			child = { children: new Map() }
+			node.children.set(segment, child)
+		}
+		node = child
+	}
+	node.selected = selected
+}
+
+function getSelectionRuleNode(path: string) {
+	let node = selectionRuleTree.value
+	if (!path) return node
+
+	for (const segment of path.split('/')) {
+		const child = node.children.get(segment)
+		if (!child) return undefined
+		node = child
+	}
+
+	return node
+}
+
+function isPathSelected(path: string) {
+	let node = selectionRuleTree.value
+	let selected = node.selected ?? false
+
+	for (const segment of path.split('/').filter(Boolean)) {
+		const child = node.children.get(segment)
+		if (!child) break
+		node = child
+		selected = node.selected ?? selected
+	}
+
+	return selected
+}
+
+function hasDescendantSelectionRule(path: string) {
+	const node = getSelectionRuleNode(path)
+	return node !== undefined && node.children.size > 0
+}
+
 function isInCurrentPath(segments: string[], currentSegments: string[]) {
 	if (segments.length <= currentSegments.length) return false
 	return currentSegments.every((segment, index) => segments[index] === segment)
@@ -505,22 +570,21 @@ function buildDirectoryEntry(
 	name: string,
 	item?: NormalizedFileTreeSelectItem,
 ): FileTreeSelectEntry {
-	const descendants = getFolderDescendants(path).filter((item) => !item.disabled)
-	const selectedCount = descendants.filter((item) =>
-		selectedPaths.value.has(item.normalizedPath),
-	).length
-	const selected = selectedPaths.value.has(path)
+	const descendants = item ? [] : getFolderDescendants(path)
+	const selectableDescendants = descendants.filter((item) => !item.disabled)
+	const selected = isPathSelected(path)
+	const indeterminate = hasDescendantSelectionRule(path)
 
 	return {
 		path,
 		name,
 		type: 'directory',
 		icon: getDirectoryIcon(name),
-		checked: selected || (descendants.length > 0 && selectedCount === descendants.length),
-		indeterminate: !selected && selectedCount > 0 && selectedCount < descendants.length,
-		disabled: item?.disabled ?? descendants.length === 0,
+		checked: selected && !indeterminate,
+		indeterminate,
+		disabled: item ? (item.disabled ?? false) : selectableDescendants.length === 0,
 		modified: item?.modified ?? getLatestModified(descendants),
-		count: item?.count ?? getFolderChildCount(path),
+		count: item?.count ?? (item ? undefined : getFolderChildCount(path)),
 		item,
 	}
 }
@@ -531,7 +595,7 @@ function buildFileEntry(item: NormalizedFileTreeSelectItem): FileTreeSelectEntry
 		name: item.name,
 		type: 'file',
 		icon: getFileIcon(item.name),
-		checked: selectedPaths.value.has(item.normalizedPath),
+		checked: isPathSelected(item.normalizedPath),
 		indeterminate: false,
 		disabled: item.disabled ?? false,
 		size: item.size,
@@ -564,48 +628,89 @@ function selectEntry(entry: FileTreeSelectEntry) {
 function toggleEntry(entry: FileTreeSelectEntry, selected: boolean) {
 	if (entry.disabled) return
 
-	const nextSelectedPaths = new Set(selectedPaths.value)
-	const paths = getEntrySelectablePaths(entry)
+	updateSelection(entry.path, selected)
+}
 
-	for (const path of paths) {
-		if (selected) {
-			nextSelectedPaths.add(path)
-		} else {
-			nextSelectedPaths.delete(path)
-		}
+function updateSelection(path: string, selected: boolean) {
+	const nextSelectedPaths = new Set(includedPaths.value)
+	const nextExcludedPaths = new Set(excludedPaths.value)
+	applySelection(nextSelectedPaths, nextExcludedPaths, path, selected)
+	emitSelection(nextSelectedPaths, nextExcludedPaths)
+}
+
+function applySelection(
+	nextSelectedPaths: Set<string>,
+	nextExcludedPaths: Set<string>,
+	path: string,
+	selected: boolean,
+) {
+	const normalizedPath = normalizePath(path)
+	if (!normalizedPath) return
+
+	removePathAndDescendants(nextSelectedPaths, normalizedPath)
+	removePathAndDescendants(nextExcludedPaths, normalizedPath)
+
+	const inheritedSelection = resolveSelectionFromSets(
+		getParentPath(normalizedPath),
+		nextSelectedPaths,
+		nextExcludedPaths,
+	)
+	if (inheritedSelection !== selected) {
+		const targetPaths = selected ? nextSelectedPaths : nextExcludedPaths
+		targetPaths.add(normalizedPath)
 	}
+}
 
-	emit('update:modelValue', [...nextSelectedPaths])
+function removePathAndDescendants(paths: Set<string>, path: string) {
+	const prefix = `${path}/`
+	for (const candidate of paths) {
+		if (candidate === path || candidate.startsWith(prefix)) {
+			paths.delete(candidate)
+		}
+	}
 }
 
-function getEntrySelectablePaths(entry: FileTreeSelectEntry) {
-	if (entry.type === 'directory') {
-		return entry.item?.type === 'directory'
-			? [entry.path]
-			: getFolderDescendants(entry.path)
-					.filter((item) => !item.disabled)
-					.map((item) => item.normalizedPath)
+function resolveSelectionFromSets(
+	path: string,
+	includedPaths: Set<string>,
+	excludedPaths: Set<string>,
+) {
+	let selected = false
+	let prefix = ''
+
+	for (const segment of path.split('/').filter(Boolean)) {
+		prefix = prefix ? `${prefix}/${segment}` : segment
+		if (includedPaths.has(prefix)) selected = true
+		if (excludedPaths.has(prefix)) selected = false
 	}
 
-	return [entry.path]
+	return selected
+}
+
+function emitSelection(includedPaths: Set<string>, excludedPaths: Set<string>) {
+	emit('update:modelValue', [...includedPaths])
+	emit('update:excludedPaths', [...excludedPaths])
 }
 
 function toggleAllVisible(selected: boolean) {
-	const nextSelectedPaths = new Set(selectedPaths.value)
-	for (const path of visibleSelectablePaths.value) {
-		if (selected) {
-			nextSelectedPaths.add(path)
-		} else {
-			nextSelectedPaths.delete(path)
+	const nextSelectedPaths = new Set(includedPaths.value)
+	const nextExcludedPaths = new Set(excludedPaths.value)
+
+	if (currentPath.value) {
+		applySelection(nextSelectedPaths, nextExcludedPaths, currentPath.value, selected)
+	} else {
+		for (const entry of visibleSelectableEntries.value) {
+			applySelection(nextSelectedPaths, nextExcludedPaths, entry.path, selected)
 		}
 	}
 
-	emit('update:modelValue', [...nextSelectedPaths])
+	emitSelection(nextSelectedPaths, nextExcludedPaths)
 }
 
 function formatSize(entry: FileTreeSelectEntry) {
 	if (entry.type === 'directory') {
-		return formatMessage(messages.itemCount, { count: entry.count ?? 0 })
+		if (entry.count === undefined) return ''
+		return formatMessage(messages.itemCount, { count: entry.count })
 	}
 
 	if (entry.size === undefined) return ''
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/stories/base/FileTreeSelect.stories.ts b/packages/ui/src/stories/base/FileTreeSelect.stories.ts
index a85d13ab5e..acaf6eb8e4 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/stories/base/FileTreeSelect.stories.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/stories/base/FileTreeSelect.stories.ts
@@ -39,30 +39,37 @@ export const ModpackExport: StoryObj = {
 	render: () => ({
 		components: { FileTreeSelect },
 		setup() {
-			const selected = ref([
-				'config/fabric_loader_dependencies.json',
-				'config/crash_assistant/settings.toml',
-				'config/defaultoptions/options.txt',
-				'mods/sodium-fabric-0.6.13+mc1.21.6.jar',
-				'mods/iris-fabric-1.8.8+mc1.21.6.jar',
-				'resourcepacks/FreshAnimations_v1.9.3.zip',
-				'shaderpacks/ComplementaryUnbound_r5.5.1.zip',
-			])
-			const selectedLabel = computed(() => `${selected.value.length} selected`)
+			const included = ref(['config', 'mods'])
+			const excluded = ref(['config/defaultoptions'])
+			const selectedLabel = computed(
+				() => `${included.value.length} includes, ${excluded.value.length} exclusions`,
+			)
 
 			return {
+				excluded,
+				included,
 				items: MODPACK_FILES,
-				selected,
 				selectedLabel,
 			}
 		},
 		template: /*html*/ `
 			<div class="max-w-2xl">
-				<FileTreeSelect v-model="selected" :items="items" />
+				<FileTreeSelect
+					v-model="included"
+					v-model:excluded-paths="excluded"
+					:items="items"
+				/>
 				<div class="mt-4 rounded-[20px] bg-surface-3 p-4 text-sm text-secondary">
 					<div class="font-semibold text-contrast">{{ selectedLabel }}</div>
-					<div class="mt-2 flex flex-col gap-1">
-						<span v-for="path in selected" :key="path" class="truncate">{{ path }}</span>
+					<div class="mt-2 grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+						<div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
+							<span class="font-semibold text-contrast">Included</span>
+							<span v-for="path in included" :key="path" class="truncate">{{ path }}</span>
+						</div>
+						<div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
+							<span class="font-semibold text-contrast">Excluded</span>
+							<span v-for="path in excluded" :key="path" class="truncate">{{ path }}</span>
+						</div>
 					</div>
 				</div>
 			</div>
@@ -74,12 +81,17 @@ export const EmptyRoot: StoryObj = {
 	render: () => ({
 		components: { FileTreeSelect },
 		setup() {
-			const selected = ref<string[]>([])
-			return { selected }
+			const excluded = ref<string[]>([])
+			const included = ref<string[]>([])
+			return { excluded, included }
 		},
 		template: /*html*/ `
 			<div class="max-w-2xl">
-				<FileTreeSelect v-model="selected" :items="[]" />
+				<FileTreeSelect
+					v-model="included"
+					v-model:excluded-paths="excluded"
+					:items="[]"
+				/>
 			</div>
 		`,
 	}),