std-purge

std-purge is a tiny CLI for clearing up STDs: Shopify Template Debris.

It aggressively cleans generated Shopify theme JSON templates and sets up a valid starter page, because untreated STDs can spread across branches, reviews, and eventually your dignity.

What It Does

• Deletes non-core JSON templates under templates/**/*.json
• Keeps Shopify's core storefront templates
• Keeps templates/customers/*.json
• Leaves existing .liquid templates and custom sections alone
• Rewrites templates/index.json as a valid starter page using the built-in custom-liquid section
• Leaves config/settings_schema.json and config/settings_data.json alone
• Lets you preserve specific templates when the test comes back negative

What It Does Not Do

• Diagnose your real problems
• Delete .liquid files
• Clean your Shopify admin
• Make your theme good, only less contagious

Usage

Get tested first:

npx std-purge --path ./theme --dry-run

Start treatment:

npx std-purge --path ./theme --write

Keep one template in quarantine:

npx std-purge --path ./theme --keep page.about --write

Print lab results for scripts:

npx std-purge --path ./theme --dry-run --json

Options

-p, --path <dir>      Theme directory to clean. Defaults to the current directory.
-d, --dry-run         Print planned changes without writing files.
-w, --write           Apply changes without interactive confirmation.
-j, --json            Print the cleanup report as JSON.
-k, --keep <name>     Preserve an extra template JSON file. Repeat as needed.
-h, --help            Show help.

Recommended Ritual

1. Commit or stash your work.
2. Run npx std-purge --path ./theme --dry-run.
3. Read the report like a responsible adult who definitely knows where those templates came from.
4. Run npx std-purge --path ./theme --write.
5. Tell your theme it is clean now, but should still make better choices.

Why

Shopify theme development can leave behind template experiments, demo alternates, and settings data that made sense three branches ago. std-purge treats those STDs early, before product.alt.final-final-please-use-this-one.json becomes a permanent part of the family medical history.