Best use case
workspace-reset is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
It is a strong fit for teams already working in Codex.
Wipe .aiwg/ directory and optionally restart with fresh intake
Teams using workspace-reset should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/workspace-reset/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How workspace-reset Compares
| Feature / Agent | workspace-reset | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Codex | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Wipe .aiwg/ directory and optionally restart with fresh intake
Which AI agents support this skill?
This skill is designed for Codex.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
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SKILL.md Source
# Workspace Reset
Completely wipe the `.aiwg/` directory to start fresh. Optionally backs up existing content and can reinitialize with fresh intake templates.
## Parameters
| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `project-directory` | Project root (default: `.`) |
| `--backup` | Create timestamped backup before wiping |
| `--keep-intake` | Preserve `.aiwg/intake/` directory |
| `--keep-team` | Preserve `.aiwg/team/` directory (team profile, assignments) |
| `--reinitialize` | Run intake wizard after reset |
| `--force` | Skip confirmation prompts |
| `--dry-run` | Preview what would be deleted |
## Use Cases
1. **Project Pivot** - Requirements changed significantly, need fresh start
2. **Framework Upgrade** - Clean slate for new AIWG version
3. **Corrupted State** - Artifacts became inconsistent
4. **Learning Project** - Experimented, ready to start properly
5. **Handoff Cleanup** - Removing trial work before official start
## Execution Steps
### Step 1: Analyze Current State
Inventory what will be deleted:
```bash
# Count files by category
echo "=== Workspace Contents ==="
for dir in .aiwg/*/; do
count=$(find "$dir" -type f 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
size=$(du -sh "$dir" 2>/dev/null | cut -f1)
echo "$(basename "$dir"): $count files ($size)"
done
```
Report:
```
Workspace Reset Analysis
========================
Current .aiwg/ contents:
intake/ 3 files (12 KB)
requirements/ 15 files (45 KB)
architecture/ 12 files (78 KB)
planning/ 8 files (23 KB)
risks/ 4 files (8 KB)
testing/ 7 files (34 KB)
security/ 5 files (15 KB)
team/ 2 files (4 KB)
working/ 9 files (28 KB)
archive/ 14 files (56 KB)
reports/ 6 files (19 KB)
─────────────────────────────────
TOTAL: 85 files (322 KB)
Git Status:
Tracked: 45 files (committed)
Untracked: 40 files (local only)
```
### Step 2: Confirm Destruction
Unless `--force` is provided, require explicit confirmation:
```
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ⚠️ DESTRUCTIVE OPERATION ⚠️ ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ This will DELETE 85 files (322 KB) from .aiwg/ ║
║ ║
║ Including: ║
║ - All requirements (15 files) ║
║ - All architecture documents (12 files) ║
║ - All planning artifacts (8 files) ║
║ - All test documentation (7 files) ║
║ - All security artifacts (5 files) ║
║ - All archived content (14 files) ║
║ - All reports (6 files) ║
║ ║
║ 45 files are committed to git and can be recovered. ║
║ 40 files are NOT in git and will be PERMANENTLY LOST. ║
║ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Options:
--backup Create backup before deletion
--keep-intake Preserve intake forms
--keep-team Preserve team profile
Type 'RESET' to confirm deletion: _
```
### Step 3: Create Backup (if requested)
**If `--backup` flag:**
```bash
# Create timestamped backup
backup_dir=".aiwg-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"
cp -r .aiwg "$backup_dir"
# Create backup manifest
cat > "$backup_dir/BACKUP_MANIFEST.md" <<EOF
# .aiwg Backup
**Created:** $(date -Iseconds)
**Reason:** Workspace reset
**Commit:** $(git rev-parse HEAD 2>/dev/null || echo "N/A")
## Contents
$(find .aiwg -type f | wc -l) files backed up
## Restore Command
\`\`\`bash
rm -rf .aiwg && cp -r $backup_dir .aiwg
\`\`\`
EOF
echo "Backup created: $backup_dir"
```
Report:
```
Backup Created
==============
Location: .aiwg-backup-20251209-102345/
Files: 85
Size: 322 KB
To restore: rm -rf .aiwg && cp -r .aiwg-backup-20251209-102345 .aiwg
```
### Step 4: Preserve Requested Content
**If `--keep-intake`:**
```bash
# Stash intake
mv .aiwg/intake /tmp/aiwg-intake-preserve
```
**If `--keep-team`:**
```bash
# Stash team
mv .aiwg/team /tmp/aiwg-team-preserve
```
### Step 5: Execute Wipe
```bash
# Remove .aiwg directory
rm -rf .aiwg
# Report
echo "Removed: .aiwg/ (85 files, 322 KB)"
```
### Step 6: Restore Preserved Content
```bash
# Recreate .aiwg
mkdir -p .aiwg
# Restore intake if preserved
if [ -d /tmp/aiwg-intake-preserve ]; then
mv /tmp/aiwg-intake-preserve .aiwg/intake
echo "Restored: .aiwg/intake/"
fi
# Restore team if preserved
if [ -d /tmp/aiwg-team-preserve ]; then
mv /tmp/aiwg-team-preserve .aiwg/team
echo "Restored: .aiwg/team/"
fi
```
### Step 7: Reinitialize (if requested)
**If `--reinitialize` flag:**
Create minimal structure and offer intake wizard:
```bash
# Create standard directories
mkdir -p .aiwg/{intake,requirements,architecture,planning,risks,testing,security,working,archive,reports}
# Create README
cat > .aiwg/README.md <<'EOF'
# AIWG Workspace
This directory contains SDLC artifacts managed by the AIWG framework.
## Structure
| Directory | Purpose |
|-----------|---------|
| intake/ | Project intake forms |
| requirements/ | User stories, use cases, NFRs |
| architecture/ | SAD, ADRs, diagrams |
| planning/ | Phase and iteration plans |
| risks/ | Risk register and spikes |
| testing/ | Test strategy, plans, results |
| security/ | Threat models, security artifacts |
| working/ | Temporary multi-agent work |
| archive/ | Historical documents |
| reports/ | Generated reports |
## Getting Started
Run `/intake-wizard` to begin project intake.
EOF
```
Report:
```
Workspace Reinitialized
=======================
Created directories:
.aiwg/intake/
.aiwg/requirements/
.aiwg/architecture/
.aiwg/planning/
.aiwg/risks/
.aiwg/testing/
.aiwg/security/
.aiwg/working/
.aiwg/archive/
.aiwg/reports/
Created files:
.aiwg/README.md
Run /intake-wizard to start fresh intake.
```
### Step 8: Report Summary
```
Workspace Reset Complete
========================
Deleted:
85 files (322 KB)
Backup:
.aiwg-backup-20251209-102345/ (322 KB)
Preserved:
.aiwg/intake/ (3 files)
.aiwg/team/ (2 files)
Reinitialized:
10 directories created
.aiwg/README.md created
Next Steps:
1. Run /intake-wizard to start fresh intake
2. Or run /intake-from-codebase to analyze existing code
3. Previous backup available at .aiwg-backup-20251209-102345/
```
## CLI Usage (Outside Claude Session)
This command is also available via the `aiwg` CLI:
```bash
# Wipe working directory only
aiwg -wipe-working
# Full workspace reset with backup
aiwg -reset-workspace --backup
# Force reset without confirmation
aiwg -reset-workspace --force
# Reset but keep intake forms
aiwg -reset-workspace --keep-intake
# Reset and reinitialize
aiwg -reset-workspace --reinitialize
```
## Examples
```bash
# Preview what would be deleted
/workspace-reset --dry-run
# Full wipe with backup
/workspace-reset --backup
# Keep intake and team, backup rest
/workspace-reset --backup --keep-intake --keep-team
# Force reset and reinitialize
/workspace-reset --force --reinitialize
# Clean slate with preserved intake
/workspace-reset --backup --keep-intake --reinitialize
```
## Error Handling
| Condition | Action |
|-----------|--------|
| No .aiwg/ directory | Info: "No workspace to reset. Use /intake-wizard to create one." |
| Backup location exists | Append unique suffix |
| Permission denied | Abort with error |
| Git dirty with untracked | Warn about permanent loss of untracked files |
| Preserve dir missing | Skip preservation, warn |
## Safety Features
1. **Confirmation Required** - Must type 'RESET' unless --force
2. **Backup Option** - Always offered, strongly recommended
3. **Git Warning** - Warns about untracked files that will be permanently lost
4. **Preserve Options** - Can keep critical files (intake, team)
5. **Dry Run** - Preview before destructive action
## Related Commands
- `/workspace-realign` - Sync docs with project state (non-destructive)
- `/workspace-prune-working` - Clean up working directory only
- `/intake-wizard` - Start fresh intake after reset
## References
- @$AIWG_ROOT/agentic/code/addons/aiwg-utils/README.md — aiwg-utils addon overview
- @$AIWG_ROOT/agentic/code/addons/aiwg-utils/rules/human-authorization.md — Explicit confirmation required before destructive reset
- @$AIWG_ROOT/agentic/code/addons/aiwg-utils/rules/vague-discretion.md — Concrete confirmation prompt and safety checks
- @$AIWG_ROOT/agentic/code/frameworks/sdlc-complete/README.md — SDLC artifact directory structure recreated on --reinitializeRelated Skills
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