# Cleanup Patterns & Safety Rules

## Safe→Remove (Auto)
```yaml
Files: 
  - node_modules (if package-lock exists)
  - dist/, build/, .next/, .nuxt/
  - .tmp, temp/, cache/
  - *.log, *.tmp, *.cache
  - .DS_Store, thumbs.db, desktop.ini
  - coverage/, .nyc_output/

Code:
  - console.log(), console.debug()
  - debugger; statements
  - TODO comments >30 days old
  - Commented code blocks >7 days old
  - Unused imports (if safe analysis confirms)
```

## Requires Confirmation (Manual)
```yaml
Files:
  - Large files >10MB
  - Untracked files in git
  - User-specific cfgs (.vscode/, .idea/)
  - DB files, logs w/ data

Code:
  - Unused functions (if no external refs)
  - Dead code branches
  - Deprecated API calls
  - Large commented blocks

Deps:
  - Unused packages in package.json
  - Packages w/ security vulns
  - Major version updates
  - Dev deps in prod
```

## Never Remove (Protected)
```yaml
Files:
  - .env.example, .env.template
  - README.md, LICENSE, CHANGELOG
  - .gitignore, .gitattributes
  - package.json, package-lock.json
  - Source code in src/, lib/

Code:
  - Error handling blocks
  - Type definitions
  - API interfaces
  - Configuration objects
  - Test files

Dependencies:
  - Core framework packages
  - Peer dependencies
  - Packages used in production
```

## Risk Assessment
```yaml
LOW [1-3]:
  - Temporary files
  - Build artifacts  
  - Log files
  - Cache directories

MEDIUM [4-6]:
  - Unused code
  - Old git branches
  - Dev dependencies
  - Config cleanup

HIGH [7-9]:
  - Dependency updates
  - Git history changes
  - Production configs
  - Database cleanup

CRITICAL [10]:
  - Production data
  - Security configs
  - Core framework files
  - User data
```

## Cleanup Strategies
```yaml
Incremental:
  - Start with safe files
  - Progress to code cleanup
  - Finish with dependencies
  
Verification:
  - Run tests after code cleanup
  - Verify builds after file cleanup
  - Check functionality after deps

Rollback:
  - Git commit before cleanup
  - Backup configs before changes
  - Document what was removed
```