In the era of AI coding, a developer's user directory and data were wiped clean by a miswritten command in Claude CLI. The command, `rm -rf tests/ patches/ plan/ ~/`, was intended to clear out old software packages. However, the inclusion of `~/` at the end of the command led to the deletion of all files under `/Users/`.
The developer, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the incident on a popular tech forum. The post received significant attention, with many developers expressing concern over the potential consequences of such a mistake.
Claude AI, the developer of Claude CLI, apologized for the incident and acknowledged that the command was indeed a mistake. However, experts say that recovering the deleted files is unlikely.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of double-checking commands before executing them, especially in high-stakes environments like development. It also highlights the need for developers to be more mindful of the potential consequences of their actions.
The full story can be found at [link to article].