> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://thamizhiniyancs.gitbook.io/cheatsheets/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://thamizhiniyancs.gitbook.io/cheatsheets/linux/manipulating-files-directories/rm.md). # rm ## Introduction The `rm` command is used to remove files or directories. *** ## Syntax `rm [OPTION]... [FILE]...` *** ## Important Flags | Flag | Description | | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `-f` | Forces the removal of all files or directories. | | `-i` | Prompts for confirmation before removing. | | `-I` | Prompts once before removing more than three files or when removing recursively. | | `-r` | Removes directories and their content recursively. | | `-d` | Removes empty directories. | | `-v` | Provides a verbose output. | | `--help` | Displays the help text. | | `--version` | Displays the command version. | *** ## Examples

Command	Description
`rm a.txt`	Removing one file at a time.
`rm b.txt c.txt`	Removing more than one file at a time.
`rm -d Example`	To remove an empty directory.
`rm -- [directory name]`	To remove a directory whose name starts with a hyphen (-).
`rm -- -file.txt`	Removes a file whose name starts with a hyphen (-).
`rm -r Example`	To delete a directory that contains subdirectories and files (Recursive Deletion)
`rm -r -v Example`	To delete a directory that contains subdirectories and files (Recursive Deletion), and the -v flag to list each step of the process.
`rm -r *`	-r : Deletes all files and sub-directories recursively in the parent directory.
`rm -i d.txt`	Asks for confirmation before removing each file (Interactive Deletion).
`rm -d -i Example`	Use the -i option to display a prompt asking for confirmation before removing a directory.
`rm -f e.txt`	Overrides write protection and removes the file forcefully (Force Deletion).
`rm -d Example`	Remove a write-protected directory.
`rm -d -f Example`	To avoid confirmation when deleting a directory.
`sudo rm -d Example`	Elevate command privileges to remove a write-protected directory.
`rm -rf`	Use this command to remove a write-protected directory that contains other files and directories.
`rm --version`	Displays the version of rm currently running on the system.