Warnings

Warning

The following documentation is for versions prior to 1.0.1. It may contain features and usage instructions that are incompatible with the current version of mediacurator.

Warning

Before using the delete feature, we strongly recommend running several dry runs to get acquainted with mediacurator, as incorrect usage can cause irreversible damage to your media library.

The -del flag will permanently delete files, so it is crucial to ensure that the command is executed correctly. Below are some examples of how the delete feature works.

Example use Cases for the -del Flag

  1. Delete all non-HD (low-resolution) videos in a folder:

mediacurator list -del -filters:lowres  -dirs:"/mnt/media/"

  1. Delete all substandard quality videos in a folder:

mediacurator list -del -filters:subsd  -dirs:"/mnt/media/"
Deleting videos

  1. Delete all videos in a folder with encoding errors:

mediacurator list -del -filters:fferror  -dirs:"/mnt/media/"

  1. Convert (repair) and then delete all videos in a folder with encoding errors:

mediacurator convert -del -filters:fferror  -dirs:"/mnt/media/"

  1. Delete all videos in a folder:

mediacurator list -del -filters:lowres  -dirs:"/mnt/media/"

Important Notes

  • Irreversibility: All of these commands involve permanent deletion. Once a file is deleted using the -del flag, it cannot be recovered.

  • Run without `-del` first: Always perform several dry runs by omitting the -del flag to ensure that the correct files are selected for deletion. Familiarizing yourself with the tool before using destructive commands is essential to avoid unintended consequences.

  • Specific File Selection: If you’re unsure about applying filters to an entire directory, you can use the -files option to target individual files for deletion or conversion, further reducing the risk of unintended deletions.

  • Backup Recommendation: Before running any commands with the -del flag, it is a good practice to back up your media library or the specific directories being processed, especially if they contain valuable or irreplaceable files.

Dry run example (without deletion)

mediacurator list -filters:lowres -dirs:"/mnt/media/"

Make sure you carefully verify the output and files selected during the dry runs to prevent accidental data loss.