mac command line delete directory with files

After you launch Terminal (in your /Applications/Utilities folder) type cd ~/Desktop to navigate to the Desktop directory. It’s dangerously easy to delete files with the rm command.

If you’ve lost access to the Finder because your Mac is on the blink, you might be able to use the command line to troubleshoot the problem.

These files, which can contain settings for certain apps or parts of macOS, contain a dot (.) before their names and the Finder doesn’t show them.

You can delete files that are hidden in the Finder.

You can remove files from the Trash when you encounter stubborn errors.

You can use wildcards to delete multiple files quickly and efficiently.

So why bother using the command line? Here are some reasons: Why bother deleting files with the command line?ĭeleting files with the Finder isn’t too difficult, plus you can always fish files out of the Trash if you change your mind. I’ll show you how to add a safeguard to ensure that you only delete files you really want to delete. Still, if you want to tap into Terminal’s powers, this is a command you can’t overlook. But be careful: Unlike when you move files to the Trash from the Finder, there’s no way to get them back if you use these commands.

The rmdir command does the same to directories (also know as folders). Take the commands in this article as an example: the rm command allows you to remove (or delete) files. When it comes to quickly taking care of daily tasks, the command line can be both powerful and dangerous.

Mac command line delete directory with files