📁 Files

.gitignoreU

README.md

app.py

build/cache.tmpU

build/output.binU

debug.logU

src/lib.py

temp.txtU

! ConflictS StagedM ModifiedU Untracked

No files staged. Use git add to stage changes.

📊 Commit Graphcurrent branchmain

🧹 Git CleanBeginner0/6

📖 Concepts

git cleanRemoves untracked files from your working directory. Unlike git reset, it doesn't touch tracked files — only files Git isn't tracking.

Dry run (-n)Shows what would be removed without actually deleting anything. Always run git clean -n first to avoid accidental data loss.

-f vs -fdgit clean -f only removes untracked files at the root level. Add -d to also remove untracked directories (and all files inside them).

-fX (remove ignored)git clean -fX removes only files that match .gitignore rules — build artifacts, compiled files, etc. — while leaving your untracked personal files alone.

Check the repository status

Run git status. debug.log, temp.txt, and the build/ directory are untracked clutter left over from running and building your project. Notice .gitignore is also untracked — we'll commit it later so Git remembers which files to ignore.

● Check the repository status

○ Dry run with git clean -n

○ Remove root-level clutter with git clean -f

○ Remove the build directory with git clean -fd

○ Clean only ignored files with git clean -fX

○ Final check with git status

Terminal

📘 Starting tutorial: Git Clean

Remove untracked files and build artifacts from your working directory

Step 1: Check the repository status