npm-exorcist

The power of Christ compels your node_modules to leave.

Your disk is haunted. Somewhere deep in your home directory, dozens of forgotten node_modules folders are lurking in the shadows, whispering "544MB" in the dark. That side project from 2019? Still there. That tutorial you followed once? Possessed by 1,200 transitive dependencies.

npm-exorcist scans your filesystem, finds every node_modules infestation, and lets you banish them one by one — safely, interactively, and with the drama they deserve.

What it does

1. Crawls your home directory (or a path you specify) looking for node_modules folders
2. Only finds top-level ones — it won't descend into the node_modules abyss within node_modules (there are some places even exorcists won't go)
3. Skips system folders (Library, AppData, Windows) and hidden folders (dotfiles have enough problems already)
4. Asks how you want to banish them:
   • Move to Trash — safe, recoverable. Changed your mind? Fish it out. Even exorcists believe in second chances.
   • Permanent delete (rm -rf) — faster, irreversible. For when you're sure the demons must not return.
5. Shows you each possessed project: its package name, path, and size
6. Asks: "Delete this node_modules?" — you decide who lives and who gets banished
7. At the end, tells you how much disk space you reclaimed from the darkness

Install

npm install -g npm-exorcist

Or just run it directly from the project folder:

node index.js

Usage

# Exorcise from your home directory (the default hunting ground)
npm-exorcist

# Exorcise a specific directory
npm-exorcist ~/Projects

Then follow the prompts. Press y to banish, n to show mercy, or Ctrl+C to flee the scene entirely.

Example

┌  npm-exorcist
│
◆  How do you want to remove node_modules?
│  ● Move to Trash (safe, recoverable)
│  ○ Permanent delete (rm -rf) (faster, not recoverable)
│
◇  Found 14 node_modules folder(s). Calculating sizes...
│
◇  Total: 14 folders, 3.2G
│
◆  [1/14] my-abandoned-startup  (812.4M)
│         ~/Projects/my-abandoned-startup/node_modules
│
│  Delete this node_modules?
│  ● Yes  ○ No
│
└  Done. Deleted 11/14 node_modules folders, freed ~2.8G.

Requirements

• macOS, Windows, or Linux — the demons are everywhere, and so are we
• Node.js >= 18

Why not just rm -rf?

You can! npm-exorcist now gives you the choice. But the Trash option is the default for a reason — it's reversible. The rm -rf option is there for when you're sure, you're in a hurry, or you just enjoy living dangerously.

FAQ

Q: Will this delete my project? A: No. Only the node_modules folder. Your code is safe. Your code was always the real problem anyway.

Q: Can I get my node_modules back? A: If you chose Trash, yes — check your Trash. If you chose permanent delete... npm install like the rest of us.

Q: How did I have 8GB of node_modules? A: You know exactly how. We all do.