Table of content:

1. Preview files before deleting
2. Delete only the matched files (after preview)
[[#3-ultra-safe-dry-run-prints-what-would-be-deleted|3. Ultra-safe dry run (prints what would be deleted)]]
4. Preview directories before deleting
5. Delete matched directories (after preview)
6. Notes

Safe File & Directory Deletion with `find`

Short guide for safely previewing and deleting files or directories using find.

1. Preview files before deleting

Always preview matches first:

find . -maxdepth 2 -type f -wholename '*x*e10b0.50um64nc/out-*Run1*' -printf '%f\n'

Alternative preview:

find . -maxdepth 2 -type f -wholename '*x*e10b0.50um64nc/out-*Run1*' -exec echo {} \;

2. Delete only the matched files (after preview)

find . -maxdepth 2 -type f -wholename '*x*e10b0.50um64nc/out-*Run1*' -exec rm -- {} +

Notes:

rm -- prevents filenames from being interpreted as flags.
Only the files matched by find are deleted.

3. Ultra-safe dry run (prints what would be deleted)

find . -maxdepth 2 -type f -wholename '*x*e10b0.50um64nc/out-*Run1*' -exec echo rm -- {} +

If this looks correct → remove echo, run the real command.

4. Preview directories before deleting

find . -maxdepth 1 -type d -name '*pattern*' -printf '%f\n'

5. Delete matched directories (after preview)

find . -maxdepth 1 -type d -name '*pattern*' -exec rm -rf -- {} +

6. Notes

Always preview first.
-type f → only files.
-type d → only directories.
-maxdepth limits search depth.
-wholename matches full path patterns.