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Quick Start

Terminal window
# Safe preview of the current directory
sift
# Safe preview of another directory
sift ~/Downloads
# Inspect entries (read-only, never mutates)
sift scan ~/Downloads
# Preview an organization plan
sift organize ~/Downloads
# Apply it
sift organize ~/Downloads --apply
# Organize eligible subdirectories too, each in its own local context
sift organize ~/Downloads --recursive
# Classify and move whole immediate child folders
sift folders ~/Downloads
# Report-only diagnostics: large files, stale archives, sensitive names
sift doctor ~/Downloads
# Preview junk cleanup (.tmp/.swp/.swo)
sift clean ~/Downloads
# Apply cleanup
sift clean ~/Downloads --apply
# Explain exactly what organize would do to one file, and why
sift explain ~/Downloads/invoice.pdf
# Validate the effective .sift.toml policy for a directory
sift config check ~/Downloads
# List past operations
sift history
# Reverse a successful move
sift undo hist-<operation-id>

Every command above that can mutate the filesystem (organize, clean, folders) is a dry-run unless you add --apply. Nothing needs sudo, nothing touches the network, and nothing runs in the background unless you explicitly start a Watch.

For the full command surface with every flag, see the CLI Commands reference.

Your First Organize walks through one complete preview → apply → undo cycle against a real, messy directory.