# delete_folder
## Overview
**PERMANENTLY** deletes a ClickUp folder and **ALL its contents** (lists and tasks). This action **cannot be undone**. Use with extreme caution.
**Category**: Folder Management - CRUD Operations
**Rate Limit Impact**: ~2-3% of available requests (100 req/min on Free Forever plan)
---
## ⚠️ CRITICAL WARNINGS
1. **IRREVERSIBLE**: Deletion cannot be undone
2. **ALL CONTENTS DELETED**: Every list and task in folder is permanently removed
3. **NO BACKUP**: ClickUp doesn't provide automatic backups
4. **USE FOLDER ID**: Using `folderName` is risky if names aren't unique
---
## Input Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|
| `folderId` | string | One required | ID of the folder to delete. **STRONGLY PREFERRED** for safety. |
| `folderName` | string | One required | Name of the folder to delete. **RISKY** if not unique. |
| `spaceId` | string | Conditional | ID of space containing folder. Required when using `folderName`. |
| `spaceName` | string | Conditional | Name of space containing folder. Required when using `folderName`. |
---
## Success Response
```json
{
"success": true,
"message": "Folder \"Old Projects\" deleted successfully"
}
```
---
## Integration Examples
### Python Example (with Safety Checks)
```python
# SAFE deletion with confirmation
async def delete_folder_safely(folder_id: str, dry_run: bool = True):
"""Delete folder with safety checks."""
# Get folder details
folder_info = await mcp_server.call_tool(
"get_folder",
{"folderId": folder_id}
)
folder_name = folder_info["name"]
# Warning
print("⚠️" * 30)
print(f"⚠️ WARNING: About to DELETE folder and ALL contents!")
print(f"⚠️ Folder: {folder_name}")
print(f"⚠️ Space: {folder_info['space']['name']}")
print(f"⚠️ This action CANNOT be undone!")
print("⚠️" * 30)
if dry_run:
print("\n🔍 DRY RUN - No action taken")
return False
confirm = input("\nType 'DELETE' to confirm: ")
if confirm != "DELETE":
print("❌ Deletion cancelled")
return False
# Perform deletion
result = await mcp_server.call_tool(
"delete_folder",
{"folderId": folder_id}
)
print(f"\n✅ {result['message']}")
return True
# Usage
await delete_folder_safely("801234567", dry_run=True) # Check first
await delete_folder_safely("801234567", dry_run=False) # Actual deletion
```
### TypeScript Example
```typescript
// Delete with confirmation
async function deleteFolderWithConfirm(folderId: string): Promise<boolean> {
const folder = await mcpServer.callTool(
"get_folder",
{ folderId }
);
console.log(`⚠️ About to delete folder: ${folder.name}`);
console.log(`⚠️ This will delete ALL lists and tasks!`);
// Implement confirmation logic here
const result = await mcpServer.callTool(
"delete_folder",
{ folderId }
);
console.log(`✅ ${result.message}`);
return true;
}
```
---
## Alternative: Archive Instead of Delete
```python
# Archive folder by renaming (REVERSIBLE)
async def archive_folder(folder_id: str):
"""Archive folder by renaming instead of deleting."""
from datetime import datetime
folder_info = await mcp_server.call_tool(
"get_folder",
{"folderId": folder_id}
)
archive_date = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
new_name = f"[ARCHIVED-{archive_date}] {folder_info['name']}"
result = await mcp_server.call_tool(
"update_folder",
{
"folderId": folder_id,
"name": new_name
}
)
print(f"✅ Archived (REVERSIBLE): {folder_info['name']}")
return result
# Usage: Archive instead of delete (can be undone!)
await archive_folder("801234567")
```
---
## Best Practices
1. **ALWAYS USE FOLDER ID**: Never use folderName for deletion
2. **IMPLEMENT CONFIRMATION**: Require explicit user confirmation
3. **DRY RUN MODE**: Test with dry run before actual deletion
4. **AUDIT LOGGING**: Log all deletions with timestamp and reason
5. **EXPORT FIRST**: Export folder contents before deletion
6. **CONSIDER ARCHIVING**: Rename folder instead of deleting
---
## Related Tools
- **get_folder**: Get folder details before deletion
- **update_folder**: Consider archiving instead of deleting
- **create_folder**: Create new folder if needed
- **delete_list**: Delete individual lists instead of entire folder
---
**Last Updated**: 2025-10-30
