> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datajet-app.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.datajet-app.com/liquid/tags/ftp_delete.md).

# ftp\_delete

Deletes a file or directory on the FTP/SFTP server. Must be used inside an `ftp_session` block.

```liquid
{% ftp_session host: "ftp.example.com", user: "myuser", password: "mypass" %}
  {% ftp_delete target: "/temp/old_file.csv" as result %}

  {% if result.ok %}
    {% log "File deleted" %}
  {% endif %}
{% endftp_session %}
```

#### Syntax

```liquid
{% ftp_delete target: "/path/to/file_or_directory" as result_variable %}
```

#### Parameters

| Parameter   | Required | Description                                       |
| ----------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `target`    | Yes      | Path to the file or directory to delete           |
| `recursive` | No       | Set to `true` to delete directories with contents |

#### Result Object

| Property | Type        | Description                                         |
| -------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| `ok`     | boolean     | `true` if deletion succeeded                        |
| `error`  | string/null | Error message if `ok` is `false`, `null` on success |

Example result:

```json
{
  "ok": true,
  "error": null
}
```

#### Examples

**Delete a single file:**

```liquid
{% ftp_session host: FTP_HOST, user: FTP_USER, password: FTP_PASSWORD %}
  {% ftp_delete target: "/temp/report.csv" as result %}

  {% if result.ok %}
    {% log "File deleted successfully" %}
  {% else %}
    {% log result.error %}
  {% endif %}
{% endftp_session %}
```

**Delete an empty directory:**

```liquid
{% ftp_session host: FTP_HOST, user: FTP_USER, password: FTP_PASSWORD %}
  {% ftp_delete target: "/old_folder" as result %}
{% endftp_session %}
```

**Delete directory with all contents (recursive):**

```liquid
{% ftp_session host: FTP_HOST, user: FTP_USER, password: FTP_PASSWORD %}
  {% ftp_delete target: "/temp/old_exports", recursive: true as result %}

  {% if result.ok %}
    {% log "Directory and all contents deleted" %}
  {% endif %}
{% endftp_session %}
```

**Clean up old files:**

```liquid
{% ftp_session host: FTP_HOST, user: FTP_USER, password: FTP_PASSWORD %}
  {% ftp_list path: "/logs" as list_result %}

  {% assign cutoff = "now" | date: "%s" | minus: 604800 %}
  {% comment %} 604800 seconds = 7 days {% endcomment %}

  {% for file in list_result.files %}
    {% if file.modifiedAt < cutoff %}
      {% ftp_delete target: file.path as delete_result %}
      {% if delete_result.ok %}
        {% log "Deleted old file: " %}
        {% log file.name %}
      {% endif %}
    {% endif %}
  {% endfor %}
{% endftp_session %}
```

**Process, archive, then delete original:**

```liquid
{% ftp_session host: FTP_HOST, user: FTP_USER, password: FTP_PASSWORD %}
  {% ftp_list path: "/inbox", pattern: "*.csv" as files %}

  {% for file in files.files %}
    {% ftp_download from: file.path as download %}

    {% if download.ok %}
      {% comment %} Process the file... {% endcomment %}
      {% assign content = download.file.name | content %}

      {% comment %} Delete original after successful processing {% endcomment %}
      {% ftp_delete target: file.path as delete_result %}

      {% if delete_result.ok %}
        {% log "Processed and removed: " %}
        {% log file.name %}
      {% endif %}
    {% endif %}
  {% endfor %}
{% endftp_session %}
```

#### Notes

* Must be used inside an `ftp_session` block
* Consumes 2 credits per operation
* Use `recursive: true` with caution - it permanently deletes all contents
* Cannot delete non-empty directories without `recursive: true`
* Operation cannot be undone


---

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