Sifty
Sifty is a free, open-source Windows maintenance tool with a command-line interface and a full-screen terminal UI.
What Sifty is
Sifty is a free, open-source Windows maintenance tool with a command-line interface and a full-screen terminal UI. It scans for temporary files, browser caches, crash dumps, and other junk, and includes tools to report volume use, find large files, and scan for duplicates with NTFS-aware handling. It can uninstall applications through winget and check for leftover files afterward. Developer-focused cleanup covers node_modules, build output, orphaned worktrees, and WSL2 disks. Users can manage startup items and services marked safe to disable, then reverse those changes. Destructive commands preview changes and require --apply and confirmation; removals go to the Recycle Bin, and applied deletions are logged. Windows, Program Files, ProgramData, drive roots, and user profile roots are protected from deletion. The optional AI assistant runs locally through Ollama, can see file names, sizes, and paths but not file contents, and cannot delete files. Sifty supports Windows 10 and 11. It is distributed through pipx, a standalone executable, Scoop, and winget; pipx requires Python 3.11 or later, while the standalone executable does not require Python. The plan is free.
Good
- Supports Windows 10 and 11.
- Scans for junk, large files, and duplicates.
- Checks for leftover files after winget uninstalls.
- Removals go to the Recycle Bin.
- Standalone executable does not require Python.
Watch out
- pipx installation requires Python 3.11 or later.
- The optional AI assistant cannot delete files.
- Windows system and key user paths are protected from deletion.
Who it suits
Sifty is aimed at Windows users, particularly developers who want cleanup tools for build artifacts, orphaned worktrees, or WSL2 disk clutter. It also suits users who want reversible cleanup and app-removal tools.
Verdict
Sifty combines general maintenance tools with developer-focused cleanup and cautious deletion controls. Choose an installation route that fits your Windows setup, especially if using pipx.
Plans and prices
From Sifty's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free and open source · MIT license |
The facts
Each one read from Sifty's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- App management
- It uninstalls apps through winget and scans for leftover files afterward.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Platforms and install
- Sifty supports Windows 10 and 11 and is distributed through pipx, a standalone executable, Scoop and winget.checked 11 Oct 2001
What it does
- Audience
- The maker describes Sifty as developer-first, with tools for build artifacts, orphaned worktrees and WSL2 disk clutter.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Audit log
- Applied deletions are recorded in an audit log under the user's Sifty application data directory.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Cleanup
- It scans and cleans temporary files, browser caches, crash dumps and other junk categories.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Developer cleanup
- It can clean development clutter such as node_modules, build output, orphaned worktrees and WSL2 disks.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Disk tools
- It reports volume usage, finds large files and scans for duplicates with NTFS-aware handling.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- Sifty uses winget for app uninstalling and updates, and Ollama for its optional local AI assistant.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Optional AI
- The optional AI assistant uses Ollama locally, sees file names, sizes and paths but not file contents, and cannot delete files itself.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Product
- Sifty is an open-source Windows maintenance tool with a command-line interface and full-screen terminal UI.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Protected paths
- Windows, Program Files, ProgramData, the drive root and the user profile root are protected from deletion.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Requirements
- The pipx installation requires Python 3.11 or later; the standalone executable does not require Python.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Safe cleanup
- Destructive commands preview by default and require --apply plus confirmation; removals go to the Recycle Bin and can be undone.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Startup
- It manages startup items and safe-to-disable services, with the ability to turn changes back on.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Support
- The security policy asks vulnerability reports to be emailed to the maintainer and says a response is expected within a week.checked 11 Oct 2001
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