name: file-operation-patterns description: Safe file operation patterns. Use when performing bulk file operations or writing deployment scripts. version: 1.0.0 format: 2025-10-02 triggers:
- performing bulk file operations or writing deployment scripts updated: 2026-04-25 status: ACTIVE
File Operation Patterns
Safe Patterns
# Create directory tree (idempotent)
mkdir -p path/to/nested/dir
# Copy preserving permissions
cp -rp src/ dst/
# Atomic write (prevents partial reads)
tmpfile=$(mktemp "${target}.XXXXXX")
echo "$content" > "$tmpfile"
mv "$tmpfile" "$target"
# Safe deletion (guard variables)
[ -n "$DIR" ] && [ "$DIR" != "/" ] && rm -rf "$DIR"
# Incremental sync
rsync -av src/ dst/
Anti-Patterns
| Don't | Do |
|---|---|
rm -rf $DIR unguarded | Guard with [ -n "$DIR" ] |
| Write directly to target | Write to temp, then mv |
| Assume dir exists | mkdir -p first |
| Ignore permissions | cp -p or explicit chmod |