How do I remove local (untracked) files from the current Git working tree?

To remove untracked files from your Git working directory, use the git clean command. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Preview Untracked Files (Dry Run)

Check which files/directories will be deleted without making changes:

git clean -n   # Shows files only
git clean -nd  # Shows files and directories

Example output:

Would remove build/
Would remove logs/error.log

2. Remove Untracked Files

Basic Cleanup (Files Only)

Delete untracked files (excluding directories):

git clean -f

Remove Files and Directories

Include untracked directories (e.g., build/, node_modules/):

git clean -fd

Remove Ignored Files Too

Add -x to delete both untracked and ignored files (e.g., .env, *.log):

git clean -fdx

Key Flags

Flag	Description
`-f`	Force deletion (required).
`-d`	Include untracked directories.
`-x`	Delete ignored files (e.g., files listed in `.gitignore`).
`-n`	Dry run: show what would be deleted without actually deleting.

Example Workflow

# 1. Check what will be removed
git clean -nd

# 2. Delete untracked files and directories
git clean -fd

# 3. Optional: Remove ignored files (e.g., build artifacts)
git clean -fdx

Important Notes

Irreversible: Deleted files cannot be restored via Git. Back up important files first!
Safety: Always use -n to preview changes before running git clean.
Ignored Files: Use -x cautiously—it deletes files matched by .gitignore.

Common Use Cases

Clean build artifacts: git clean -fd
Reset a messy working directory: git clean -fdx
Remove temporary files: git clean -f

By using these commands, you can keep your Git workspace clean and organized!