How do I remove local (untracked) files from the current Git working tree?
How can you clean up your Git working directory by removing files that aren't tracked by Git? What command should you use to safely delete local untracked files without affecting tracked content? Let's explore how Git helps manage workspace clutter efficiently.
If your Git working directory is cluttered with untracked files (files not added to version control), you can safely remove them using the git clean command. These files don’t show up in commits, but they can pile up during development. Thankfully, Git gives you a way to get rid of them.
Here’s how you can remove untracked files:
1. Preview before deleting (recommended):
git clean -n- This does not delete anything.
- It simply shows you what will be removed.
- Always use this first to avoid accidental loss.
2. Remove untracked files:
git clean -f- This will remove all untracked files.
- Be cautious: once deleted, you can’t recover them unless you have a backup.
3. Remove untracked directories too:
git clean -fdAdds the ability to remove untracked folders as well.
4. Remove ignored files as well:
git clean -fx- Use this if you want to remove files listed in .gitignore.
- Only use if you’re sure those files are no longer needed.
Summary:
- -n: dry run (preview).
- -f: force delete.
- -d: include directories.
- -x: include ignored files.
This is especially useful when resetting a project or cleaning up before switching branches. Just always preview with -n first — better safe than sorry!