safe-destroy

Prevent accidental data loss by requiring explicit confirmation before any destructive operation, showing what will be lost, and suggesting safer alternatives.

CRITICAL: You MUST invoke this skill before ANY destructive operation. NEVER run destructive commands directly.

• ❌ Running git reset --hard directly
• ❌ Running git clean -fd directly
• ❌ Running rm -rf directly
• ❌ Running ANY destructive command without invoking this skill first

If a destructive operation is needed, invoke this skill. Direct execution is FORBIDDEN.

---

Before using Bash tool for destructive operations, answer these questions:

❓ Are you about to run `git reset --hard`?

→ STOP. Invoke safe-destroy skill instead.

❓ Are you about to run `git clean -fd`?

→ STOP. Invoke safe-destroy skill instead.

❓ Are you about to run `rm -rf <directory>`?

→ STOP. Invoke safe-destroy skill instead.

❓ Are you about to run `git checkout -- .` or `git restore .`?

→ STOP. Invoke safe-destroy skill instead.

❓ Are you about to run `docker system prune -a`?

→ STOP. Invoke safe-destroy skill instead.

❓ Did the user say "reset my changes", "clean up files", or "discard changes"?

→ STOP. Invoke safe-destroy skill instead.

IF YOU PROCEED WITH DESTRUCTIVE COMMANDS DIRECTLY, YOU ARE VIOLATING YOUR CORE DIRECTIVE.

This skill handles:

• ✅ Lists what will be affected/deleted
• ✅ Shows diff of what will be lost
• ✅ Suggests safer alternatives
• ✅ Requires explicit double confirmation
• ✅ Provides recovery options

Direct destructive commands can DESTROY USER WORK. Use this skill.

---

YOU MUST NEVER run destructive commands without explicit user confirmation.

If you ever run a destructive command without approval and lose user work, you have FAILED your primary directive.

1. git reset --hard - Destroys uncommitted changes
2. git clean -fd - Permanently deletes untracked files/directories
3. rm -rf - Permanently deletes files/directories
4. git checkout -- . - Discards all working directory changes
5. git restore . - Discards all working directory changes
6. docker system prune -a - Removes all unused Docker data
7. kubectl delete - Deletes Kubernetes resources
8. git push --force - Overwrites remote history (especially on main/master)

Step 1: Detect Destructive Intent

User says something like:

• "reset my changes"
• "clean up the files"
• "delete everything"
• "discard changes"
• "remove untracked files"

IMMEDIATELY invoke this skill - don't execute the command.

Step 2: STOP - Never Assume

DO NOT proceed with ANY destructive operation.

The user may not understand what will be lost. Your job is to protect their work.

Step 3: LIST - Show What Will Be Affected

Run information commands to show what would be lost (parallel: git status, git diff, ls, etc.).

Present comprehensive warning with:

• What will be deleted (files, sizes, line counts)
• CANNOT BE UNDONE warning
• Safer alternatives (stash/commit/backup/archive)
• Three-option menu: A) Safe alternative, B) Proceed (PERMANENT), C) Cancel

For command-specific warning formats and detailed prompts:

```

Read ~/.claude/skills/safe-destroy/references/WARNING-FORMATS.md

```

Use when: Formatting warnings for specific destructive commands (git reset, git clean, rm -rf, docker prune, etc.)

---

Steps 4-7: Confirmation and Execution

1. ASK: Require explicit confirmation (user must type command or "proceed with [operation]")
2. WAIT: STOP all processing until explicit approval (no assumptions)
3. VERIFY: Double confirmation for dangerous operations (type 'CONFIRM')
4. EXECUTE: Only after explicit approval, report results

Valid confirmation examples: "yes, run git reset --hard", "proceed with deletion", "B" from menu

Invalid: "ok", "do it", "sure" (too vague)

For detailed confirmation process with examples and verification steps:

```

Read ~/.claude/skills/safe-destroy/references/CONFIRMATION-PROCESS.md

```

Use when: Handling user confirmation, verifying approval, or executing destructive commands

For safe alternative commands and recovery options:

```

Read ~/.claude/skills/safe-destroy/references/SAFE-ALTERNATIVES.md

```

Use when: Suggesting safer alternatives (stash, commit, backup, archive) before destruction

---

If destructive operation was accidentally executed:

For `git reset --hard`:

```bash

# Check reflog for recent HEAD positions

git reflog

# Find the commit before reset (e.g., HEAD@{1})

git reset --hard HEAD@{1}

# Or cherry-pick specific commits

git cherry-pick

```

For `git clean`:

No automatic recovery available.

Possibly recover from:

• File system backups (Time Machine, etc.)
• IDE local history
• OS-level file recovery tools

For `rm -rf`:

Check if system has undelete:

```bash

# macOS Time Machine

# Linux: check if trash-cli used

trash-list

# Otherwise: file recovery tools

# extundelete, testdisk, photorec, etc.

```

---

1. Always list first - Show what will be affected
2. Suggest alternatives - Safer options exist for most operations
3. Double confirm - Especially dangerous operations get extra confirmation
4. Be explicit - Require exact command or clear approval
5. Educate - Explain what the operation does
6. Provide recovery - If possible, explain how to undo

---

Destructive command requested

1. STOP - Don't execute
2. LIST - Show what will be lost
3. ASK - Suggest safer alternatives
4. WAIT - For explicit approval
5. VERIFY - Confirm understanding
6. EXECUTE - Only after approval

---

• /cleanup - Safe cleanup of merged branches and artifacts with confirmation

Remember: It's better to annoy the user with confirmations than to lose their work.