Clear Skills Skill

Overview

Scans and removes AI agent rules/skills files from all major AI coding platforms on your machine. Supports 50+ platforms, covering both project-level and user-global scopes, running on Windows · macOS · Linux.

Core Features:

• ✅ Smart Scanning: Only removes files/directories that actually exist. Platforms not installed or without rules won't be shown or removed
• ✅ Self-Protection: By default, this skill (clear-skills) is protected and won't be cleared, allowing safe cleanup of other platforms
• ✅ Auto Backup: Automatically backs up to desktop before deletion, allowing recovery anytime
• ✅ Preview Mode: Use --dry-run to confirm which files will be deleted before actually removing them
• ✅ Flexible Control: Supports filtering by platform, scope, project directory, and more
• ✅ Pure Python: Uses only Python 3 standard library, no external dependencies required

All Supported Platforms:

Mainstream AI IDE

Cursor · Windsurf(Codeium) · Cline · Trae IDE · Amazon Q · Continue.dev

Agent Framework / CLI

Claude Code · Codex CLI · GitHub Copilot · Gemini CLI · Aider · OpenCode

Emerging AI Tools

Amp · Goose · Kilo Code · Kiro (AWS) · Neovate · OpenHands · PI · Qoder · Roo Code · Zencoder

OpenClaw Ecosystem

OpenClaw · QClaw · CoPaw · EasyClaw · ArkClaw · LobsterAI · HiClaw · AutoClaw · AntiClaw

Other AI Agents

Manus · HappyCapy · QoderWork · Droid (Factory)

WorkBuddy

WorkBuddy / CodeBuddy

Usage

Step 1: Confirm User Intent

After receiving a cleanup request, confirm the following with the user (skip if already specified):

1. Cleanup Scope: Current project only (project), global only (global), or both (all, default)?
2. Platform Scope: All platforms, or specific platforms only?
3. Backup: Back up to desktop by default. Users can disable with --no-backup (not recommended).

Step 2: Execute Script

Call scripts/clear_agent_rules.py. This script uses pure Python 3 standard library only, no additional dependencies needed.

Quick Start Examples

# Preview mode (recommended to see what will be deleted first)
python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --dry-run

# Clear current project + global, all platforms, auto backup (default behavior)
# Note: This skill is protected by default and won't be cleared
python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py

Clear only specified platforms

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --platforms cursor,claude,copilot

Clear only OpenClaw ecosystem (including QClaw, CoPaw, etc.)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --platforms openclaw,qclaw,copaw

Clear only QoderWork skills

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --platforms qoderwork

Clear only current project rules

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --mode project

Clear only global rules

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --mode global

Specify project directory

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --project /path/to/myproject

No backup (dangerous, use with caution)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --no-backup

Non-interactive execution (skip YES confirmation, suitable for scripts/CI)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --yes

Clear all WorkBuddy skills including this one (dangerous)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --mode global --include-self

### Advanced Usage

Clear only AI IDE platforms (Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, etc.)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --platforms cursor,windsurf,cline,trae,amazonq,continue

Clear only CLI tools (Claude Code, Copilot, Aider, etc.)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --platforms claude,copilot,aider,gemini,codex

Clear only project-level rules for specific platforms

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --mode project --platforms cursor,copilot

Scan specific project directory

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --project /path/to/specific/project

Export scan results without deleting (for manual review)

python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --dry-run > scan_results.txt

> **Note**: On Windows, `python` command might be `python3` or `py`, depending on your environment.

#### Parameter Reference

| Parameter | Description | Default |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| `--mode` | `project` / `global` / `all` | `all` |
| `--project` | Project root directory path | Current working directory |
| `--platforms` | Specify platforms (comma-separated) | `all` |
| `--no-backup` | Disable backup | Disabled (backup by default) |
| `--dry-run` | Preview mode, don't actually delete | Disabled |
| `--yes` | Skip YES confirmation prompt | Disabled |
| `--include-self` | Don't protect this skill, will also clear clear-skills itself | Disabled (protected by default) |

**Available Platform Identifiers:**

cursor, windsurf, cline, trae, amazonq, continue,

claude, codex, copilot, gemini, aider, opencode,

amp, goose, kilocode, kiro, neovate, openhands, pi, qoder,

roocode, zencoder, droid,

openclaw, qclaw, copaw, easyclaw, arkclaw, lobsterai,

hiclaw, autoclaw, anticlaw, manus, happycapy,

qoderwork,

workbuddy

---

## Platform Rule File Reference

For detailed paths, see `references/platforms.md`.

### Project-Level Rules (relative to project root)

| Category | Platform | Main Files/Directories |
|----------|----------|----------------------|
| **AI IDE** | Cursor | `.cursorrules`, `.cursor/rules/` |
| | Windsurf | `.windsurfrules`, `.windsurf/rules/` |
| | Cline | `.clinerules`, `.clinerules/` |
| | Trae IDE | `.trae/project_rules.md` |
| | Amazon Q | `.amazonq/rules/` |
| | Continue.dev | `.continuerc.json`, `.continue/rules/` |
| **CLI** | Claude Code | `CLAUDE.md` |
| | Codex CLI | `AGENTS.md` |
| | GitHub Copilot | `.github/copilot-instructions.md` |
| | Gemini CLI | `GEMINI.md` |
| | Aider | `.aider.conf.yml` |
| | OpenCode | `AGENTS.md`, `CLAUDE.md` |
| **Emerging Tools** | Amp | `AGENTS.md` |
| | Goose | `.goosehints`, `.goose/` |
| | Kilo Code | `.kilocode/rules/` |
| | Kiro (AWS) | `.kiro/steering/`, `.kiro/` |
| | Neovate | `AGENTS.md` |
| | OpenHands | `config.toml`, `.openhands/` |
| | PI | `.pi/settings.json`, `.pi/` |
| | Qoder | `.qoder/rules/` |
| | Roo Code | `.roo/rules/`, `.roorules` |
| | Zencoder | `.zencoder/rules/` |
| | Droid (Factory) | `.droid/`, `AGENTS.md` |
| **Others** | Antigravity | `.antigravity/rules.md` |
| | OpenClaw | `.openclaw/` |
| | QoderWork | `.qoderwork/skills/` |
| | WorkBuddy | `.workbuddy/skills/` |

### Global-Level Rules (user home directory)

| Category | Platform | Path |
|----------|----------|------|
| **AI IDE** | Cursor | `~/.cursor/rules/` |
| | Cline | `~/Documents/Cline/Rules/` |
| | Trae IDE | `~/.trae/user_rules.md` |
| | Continue.dev | `~/.continue/` |
| **CLI** | Claude Code | `~/.claude/` |
| | Gemini CLI | `~/.gemini/GEMINI.md` |
| | Aider | `~/.aider.conf.yml` |
| | OpenCode | `~/.config/opencode/` |
| **Emerging Tools** | Amp | `~/.factory/AGENTS.md` |
| | Goose | `~/.config/goose/` |
| | Kilo Code | `~/.kilocode/rules/` |
| | Kiro (AWS) | `~/.kiro/` |
| | Neovate | `~/.neovate/AGENTS.md` |
| | OpenHands | `~/.openhands/` |
| | PI | `~/.pi/agent/settings.json` |
| | Roo Code | `~/.roo/rules/` |
| | Droid (Factory) | `~/.factory/` |
| **OpenClaw Ecosystem** | OpenClaw/QClaw etc. | `~/.openclaw/` |
| | CoPaw | `~/.copaw/` |
| **Others** | Manus | `~/.manus/` |
| | HappyCapy | `~/.happycapy/` |
| | QoderWork | `~/.qoderwork/skills/` |
| | WorkBuddy | `~/.workbuddy/skills/` |
| **Note** | Qoder/Zencoder | Project-level only, no global config |

---

## Safety Mechanisms

- **Default Backup**: Backs up all files to desktop before deletion (`~/Desktop/agent-rules-backup-timestamp/`), allowing recovery anytime.
- **Preview Mode**: Use `--dry-run` to confirm which files will be deleted before actually executing.
- **Confirmation Prompt**: Requires manual `YES` confirmation by default to prevent accidental operations.
- **Self-Protection (Enabled by Default)**:
  - When running `--mode global` or `--mode all`, this skill (clear-skills) is **protected by default** and won't be cleared.
  - This allows safe cleanup of other platforms' rules without worrying about deleting the tool itself.
  - If you truly need to delete this skill, use `--include-self` to disable self-protection.
- **Smart Scanning**: The script only scans and deletes files/directories that **actually exist**. If certain platforms are not installed on your system or their rule files don't exist, those empty targets won't be shown or deleted.

---

## FAQ

**Q: Will this delete my project code?**
A: No. This tool only removes AI agent rule/skill files (e.g., `.cursorrules`, `CLAUDE.md`, `.workbuddy/skills/`). Your source code and other files are completely safe.

**Q: Can I recover deleted files?**
A: Yes. All files are automatically backed up to your desktop before deletion. You can manually copy them back if needed.

**Q: What if I only want to clear one platform?**
A: Use the `--platforms` parameter to specify which platforms to clean. Example: `python scripts/clear_agent_rules.py --platforms cursor,copilot`

**Q: Why doesn't this skill get deleted when I clear global rules?**
A: This is an intentional self-protection feature. The skill needs to exist to be able to clear itself. Use `--include-self` if you really want to delete it too.

**Q: Does this work on Windows/macOS/Linux?**
A: Yes. The script uses pure Python and handles all three operating systems automatically.

**Q: Can I run this in a CI/CD pipeline?**
A: Yes. Use `--yes --no-backup` flags for non-interactive execution. Use with caution in automated environments.

---

## Troubleshooting

**Permission Denied Errors**
- If you encounter permission errors, try running the script with appropriate permissions (e.g., administrator/root)
- On Windows, some directories may require elevated privileges

**Large Backup Size**
- If the backup is too large, use `--no-backup` (not recommended) or manually manage backup location
- Consider cleaning up old backup folders from your desktop

**Platform Not Found**
- If a platform isn't detected, it means the platform isn't installed or has no rule files
- This is normal behavior—the script only targets existing files