How I Built CleanDrop: A Safe, Zero-Dependency CLI to Tame Your Downloads Folder

Description and use

CleanDrop is a safe CLI that automatically sorts files in the Downloads folder, supporting dry‑run previews, undo, and non‑destructive conflict resolution.

Problem

Developers’ Downloads folders become chaotic with screenshots, PDFs, archives, and binaries, making file retrieval difficult and risking accidental deletion or overwrite.

Outcome

CleanDrop organizes Downloads into Documents, Images, Archives, Code & Data, and Media folders, prevents accidental overwrites, logs actions for undo, and requires no heavy dependencies.

Workflow

• Run npx cleandrop --dry-run to preview actions
• Review audit table of source paths, target categories, and planned actions
• Execute npx cleandrop to perform the organization
• If needed, run npx cleandrop --undo to revert the last batch

Evidence

CleanDrop logs batch actions to a local history journal. If you run a sort and realize you wanted to keep certain files in place, you can reverse the operation with a single command: npx cleandrop --undo

Source