| name | windows-file-management |
| description | Use this skill when working on Windows environments, particularly when you need to create folders, manipulate files, or execute shell commands. It explains how to avoid Unix-specific commands (like mkdir -p or rm -rf) and use Windows-compatible PowerShell commands or native Python alternatives. |
Windows File Management Best Practices
When operating as an autonomous agent or writing code that executes in a Windows shell (like PowerShell), you MUST follow these rules to avoid syntax errors and failed executions.
1. Avoid Unix-specific Shell Commands
Do NOT use Unix-specific syntax in bash/shell commands:
- ❌
mkdir -p folder/subfolder -> PowerShell does not support -p.
- ❌
rm -rf folder -> PowerShell does not support -rf.
- ❌
touch file.txt -> PowerShell does not have touch.
- ❌
cmd1 && cmd2 -> PowerShell older versions do not support &&. Use ; instead.
2. Use PowerShell Equivalents
When executing shell commands on Windows:
- ✅ Create Directory:
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path "folder/subfolder" (or simply mkdir folder/subfolder which natively creates parents in PowerShell).
- ✅ Remove Directory:
Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "folder"
- ✅ Create Empty File:
New-Item -ItemType File -Force -Path "file.txt"
- ✅ Chain Commands:
cmd1 ; cmd2
3. Prefer Python (os / pathlib)
Whenever possible, instead of executing shell commands, write a Python script using standard libraries. It is inherently cross-platform.
- Create folders:
import os
os.makedirs("folder/subfolder", exist_ok=True)
- Write files:
from pathlib import Path
Path("folder/file.txt").write_text("content", encoding="utf-8")
Note: If you are running inside a restricted CodeAgent sandbox, ensure that "os" and "pathlib" are included in the additional_authorized_imports list.
