/workspace-reset

namespace: aiwg
name: workspace-reset
platforms: [all]
description: Wipe .aiwg/ directory and optionally restart with fresh intake

<!-- AIWG-SKILL-CALLOUT --> > **Skill access pattern (post-kernel-pivot, 2026.5+)** > > Skill names referenced in this document are AIWG skills, **not slash commands**. Most are not kernel-listed and cannot be invoked as `/skill-name` by the platform. Reach them via: > > ```bash > aiwg discover "<capability>" > aiwg show skill <name> --body > ``` > > Only kernel-listed skills (`aiwg-doctor`, `aiwg-refresh`, `aiwg-status`, `aiwg-help`, `use`, `steward`) are directly invokable as slash commands. See [skill-discovery rule](../../../addons/aiwg-utils/rules/skill-discovery.md).

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:

# 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:**

# 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`:**

# Stash intake
mv .aiwg/intake /tmp/aiwg-intake-preserve

**If `--keep-team`:**

# Stash team
mv .aiwg/team /tmp/aiwg-team-preserve

Step 5: Execute Wipe

# Remove .aiwg directory
rm -rf .aiwg

# Report
echo "Removed: .aiwg/ (85 files, 322 KB)"

Step 6: Restore Preserved Content

# 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:

# Create standard directories
mkdir -p .aiwg/{intake,requirements,architecture,planning,risks,testing,security,working,archive,reports}

# Create README
cat > .aiwg/README.md <<'EOF'
# AI