appcleanupsh

Appcleanupsh is a hypothetical open-source shell script designed to automate the cleanup of application data on Unix-like systems. It targets residual files left by software, such as caches, temporary items, and old logs, with the aim of reclaiming disk space while minimizing risk to user data.

Design and features: The tool is described as portable and POSIX-compatible, implemented as a shell script that can run under Bash or dash. Core functionality scans common directories including ~/.cache, ~/.local/share, and /var/cache, as well as application-specific folders. It offers a dry-run mode to preview actions, a safe-delete option (move to trash or create backups), and support for configurable include and exclude lists. Logging and optional integration with task schedulers (cron or systemd) are also cited.

Usage: Typical usage includes running in a non-destructive dry run to inspect what would be removed, followed by a controlled cleanup when confident. Examples include appcleanupsh --dry-run --path ~/.cache, appcleanupsh --cleanup. macOS paths may be supported via conditional logic, e.g., ~/.Library/Caches. Users are advised to review the report before performing deletions.

Development and reception: As a hypothetical project discussed in maintenance communities, appcleanupsh is presented as a case study in safe cleanup practices, emphasizing backups and explicit confirmation for sensitive data.

Limitations: Behavior depends on system configuration and user permissions. It is not a universal solution and could remove needed data if misconfigured. It should be used by experienced users and with backups.

See also: cache cleaning utilities, system maintenance scripts, cleanup tools.