# Cleanup Zombies

> Kill zombie dev servers and test processes. Use when ports are blocked, processes are hanging, or test runners won't start.

- Skill: `arcadeai/cleanup-zombies` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add arcadeai/cleanup-zombies`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/arcadeai/cleanup-zombies/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: ArcadeAI (https://skillmd.com/u/arcadeai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/arcadeai/cleanup-zombies

---


# Cleanup Zombies

Kill zombie processes (dev servers, Playwright browsers, test runners) for the current project only. Safe to use in multi-project environments.

## Instructions

Run the cleanup script — it previews what would be killed (nothing dies without
explicit consent; the preview-first ritual is script-enforced):

```bash
"${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}"/resources/scripts/cleanup-zombies.sh
```

If the preview looks correct, confirm the kill with `--yes`:

```bash
"${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}"/resources/scripts/cleanup-zombies.sh --yes
```

## What It Does

1. **Auto-detects framework** - Finds port from vite.config.ts, next.config.js, etc. (checks root, `packages/*/`, `apps/*/` for monorepos)
2. **Checks project-owned port processes** - Inspects the dev port and in-range test port (port + 1000), reporting owners it skips when project ownership cannot be verified
3. **Checks project-owned test processes** - Inspects Playwright, Chromium, and Electron matches whose working directory is inside this project
4. **Revalidates before signaling** - Only kills processes whose current working directory still belongs to this project

## Manual Override

If auto-detection fails or you need a specific port:

```bash
# Explicit port (preview, then add --yes to kill)
"${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}"/resources/scripts/cleanup-zombies.sh 5173

# Port + additional pattern
"${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}"/resources/scripts/cleanup-zombies.sh --yes 5173 "electron"
```

## When to Use

- Port already in use when starting dev server
- Tests hanging or failing due to zombie processes
- Switching between projects
- Before running E2E tests
- After interrupted test runs