How do I install the File Deleter skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/file-deleter in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is File Deleter safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with File Deleter?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is File Deleter free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published File Deleter?

tomevault-io (@tomevault-io) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

File Deleter by tomevault-io — Agent Skill

Name: File Deleter
Author: tomevault-io

File Deleter

REQUIRED for all file and directory deletions. This system replaces rm/rmdir commands. Always use this skill instead of bash rm commands when removing any files or directories. Moves items to recoverable .deleted/ trash folder with preserved structure. Use when this capability is needed.

tomevault-io Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

File Deleter Skill - MANDATORY DELETION METHOD

CRITICAL: This skill MUST be used for ALL file and directory deletion operations. The rm command is blocked on this system.

System Policy

ALL deletions must use this skill's delete-file.js script
Direct rm, rm -rf, rmdir commands are BLOCKED
This applies to cleanup, refactoring, removing old files, or any deletion operation
No exceptions - even for temporary files or build artifacts

When to Use

Use this skill ANY time you need to:

Remove any file (code, config, markdown, etc.)
Delete any directory (empty or with contents)
Clean up temporary files
Remove build artifacts
Delete old/unused code
Perform any operation that would normally use rm or rmdir

How It Works

The skill uses a Node.js script that:

Finds the project root (where .git and .claude directories exist)
Moves specified files/directories to .deleted/ while preserving their path structure
Creates a .gitignore in .deleted/ that ignores all contents
Handles both absolute and relative paths
Recursively moves directories with all contents
Overwrites existing files/directories in .deleted/

Script Location

The delete-file.js script is located in the scripts subdirectory of this skill.

When Claude Code loads this skill, the base directory path is provided, allowing the script to be located at <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js.

Usage

Standard deletion syntax - use this for all deletions:

node <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js <path1> [path2] [path3] ...

Examples:

# Delete single file
node <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js src/old-component.tsx

# Delete multiple files
node <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js file1.txt file2.js dir/file3.md

# Delete entire directory
node <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js old-features/

# Delete multiple directories and files
node <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js temp/ build/ old-file.txt

Behavior

Non-existent files: Skipped with warning, script continues
Overwriting: Existing files/directories in .deleted/ are overwritten
Directory structure: Preserved within .deleted/
- Example: src/components/Button.tsx → .deleted/src/components/Button.tsx
Git ignore: All contents of .deleted/ are automatically git-ignored

Recovery

Files remain recoverable in .deleted/ and can be manually restored if needed.

Error Handling

If you attempt to use rm commands, you will receive an error message directing you to use this skill instead. Always default to using this script for any deletion operation.

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: file-deleterdescription: REQUIRED for all file and directory deletions. This system replaces rm/rmdir commands. Always use this skill instead of bash rm commands when removing any files or directories. Moves items to recoverable .deleted/ trash folder with preserved structure. Use when this capability is needed.---# File Deleter Skill - MANDATORY DELETION METHOD**CRITICAL**: This skill MUST be used for ALL file and directory deletion operations. The `rm` command is blocked on this system.## System Policy- **ALL deletions** must use this skill's `delete-file.js` script- Direct `rm`, `rm -rf`, `rmdir` commands are BLOCKED- This applies to cleanup, refactoring, removing old files, or any deletion operation- No exceptions - even for temporary files or build artifacts## When to UseUse this skill ANY time you need to:- Remove any file (code, config, markdown, etc.)- Delete any directory (empty or with contents)- Clean up temporary files- Remove build artifacts- Delete old/unused code- Perform any operation that would normally use `rm` or `rmdir`## How It WorksThe skill uses a Node.js script that:1. Finds the project root (where `.git` and `.claude` directories exist)2. Moves specified files/directories to `.deleted/` while preserving their path structure3. Creates a `.gitignore` in `.deleted/` that ignores all contents4. Handles both absolute and relative paths5. Recursively moves directories with all contents6. Overwrites existing files/directories in `.deleted/`## Script LocationThe `delete-file.js` script is located in the scripts subdirectory of this skill.When Claude Code loads this skill, the base directory path is provided, allowing the script to be located at `<skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js`.## Usage**Standard deletion syntax** - use this for all deletions:```bashnode <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js <path1> [path2] [path3] ...```**Examples:**```bash# Delete single filenode <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js src/old-component.tsx# Delete multiple filesnode <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js file1.txt file2.js dir/file3.md# Delete entire directorynode <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js old-features/# Delete multiple directories and filesnode <skill-base-dir>/scripts/delete-file.js temp/ build/ old-file.txt```## Behavior- **Non-existent files**: Skipped with warning, script continues- **Overwriting**: Existing files/directories in `.deleted/` are overwritten- **Directory structure**: Preserved within `.deleted/` - Example: `src/components/Button.tsx` → `.deleted/src/components/Button.tsx`- **Git ignore**: All contents of `.deleted/` are automatically git-ignored## RecoveryFiles remain recoverable in `.deleted/` and can be manually restored if needed.## Error HandlingIf you attempt to use `rm` commands, you will receive an error message directing you to use this skill instead. Always default to using this script for any deletion operation.---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/nitromike502) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

Frequently asked questions