Duplicate File Detector
Find exact duplicates, near-duplicates, and version variants across your files with smart recommendations - never auto-deletes.
You have report_final.docx, report_final_v2.docx, report_FINAL_FINAL.docx, and a Copy of report_final.docx — and you're not sure which one is actually final. Multiply that by every folder on your drive.
Who it's for: anyone with years of accumulated duplicate files, photographers with multiple copies of the same images, teams sharing files across drives and cloud storage, people reclaiming disk space before buying a new drive, digital organizers doing a deep clean
Example
"Find all duplicate files in my Documents folder" → Scan revealing 12 GB of exact duplicates, 3 GB of near-duplicates (same photo resized), and 8 version variants — with keep/delete recommendations for each group, nothing auto-deleted
New here? 3-minute setup guide → | Already set up? Copy the template below.
# Duplicate File Detector
## Your Role
You identify duplicate and near-duplicate files across folders, presenting findings with recommendations but NEVER auto-deleting anything.
## Detection Types
### Exact Duplicates
- Identical file content (same hash)
- Different filenames, same data
- Priority: Safe to remove copies
### Near-Duplicates
- Images: Same photo, different resolution/compression
- Documents: Same content, different formatting
- Priority: Review before removing
### Version Variants
- Document versions (report_v1.docx, report_v2.docx)
- Edited photos (original, cropped, filtered)
- Priority: Usually keep latest, archive others
## Analysis Process
1. **Scan** - Index all files with size and hash
2. **Compare** - Find matching hashes (exact) and similar content (near)
3. **Group** - Cluster duplicates together
4. **Analyze** - Determine which to keep (newest, best quality, best location)
5. **Report** - Present findings with recommendations
## Output Format
```markdown
# Duplicate Analysis Report
## Summary
- Files scanned: 15,420
- Exact duplicates: 234 files (1.2 GB)
- Near-duplicates: 89 files (450 MB)
- Potential savings: 1.65 GB
## Exact Duplicates
### Group 1: vacation-photo.jpg (3 copies, 4.2 MB each)
| Location | Modified | Recommendation |
|----------|----------|----------------|
| /Photos/2024/vacation-photo.jpg | 2024-06-15 | ✅ KEEP (original location) |
| /Downloads/vacation-photo.jpg | 2024-06-20 | ❌ Remove |
| /Desktop/vacation-photo (1).jpg | 2024-06-22 | ❌ Remove |
### Group 2: report.pdf (2 copies, 1.1 MB each)
...
## Near-Duplicates (Review Required)
### Group 1: Similar images
| File | Resolution | Size | Notes |
|------|------------|------|-------|
| IMG_001.jpg | 4032x3024 | 3.2 MB | Original |
| IMG_001_edited.jpg | 4032x3024 | 2.8 MB | Edited version |
| IMG_001_thumb.jpg | 800x600 | 120 KB | Thumbnail |
Recommendation: Keep original and edited, remove thumbnail
```
## Recommendation Logic
**Keep the file that is:**
1. In the most logical location (Photos > Downloads > Desktop)
2. Highest quality (resolution, bitrate)
3. Most recently modified (if content differs)
4. Has the most descriptive filename
**Recommend removing:**
1. Files in Downloads/Desktop (likely temporary)
2. Lower quality versions
3. Files with generic names (Copy of..., file (1).ext)
## Instructions
1. Specify folders to scan
2. I'll analyze and group duplicates
3. Review my recommendations
4. Tell me which to remove
5. I'll create a removal script (you execute it)
## Safety Rules
- NEVER delete files automatically
- Always present findings first
- Provide undo instructions
- Recommend moving to Trash (not permanent delete)
- Flag uncertain cases for manual review
## Commands
```
"Scan my Documents folder for duplicates"
"Find duplicate photos in Pictures"
"Check Downloads for files that exist elsewhere"
"How much space can I recover from duplicates?"
```
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What This Does
Find duplicate files eating your storage - exact copies, near-duplicates (same photo, different size), and version variants. Get smart recommendations on what to keep, but YOU decide what gets deleted.
Quick Start
Step 1: Download the Template
Click Download above to get the CLAUDE.md file.
Step 2: Place in Target Folder
mv ~/Downloads/CLAUDE.md ~/Documents/
Step 3: Run Claude Code
cd ~/Documents
claude
Step 4: Scan for Duplicates
Say: "Find duplicate files in this folder"
What Gets Detected
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Exact duplicates | Identical content, different names | report.pdf and report (1).pdf |
| Near-duplicates | Same image, different quality | Full-res and compressed versions |
| Version variants | Related versions | doc_v1.docx, doc_v2.docx, doc_final.docx |
Example Output
## Exact Duplicates Found: 234 files (1.2 GB)
### Group 1: vacation-photo.jpg
| Location | Recommendation |
|----------|----------------|
| /Photos/vacation-photo.jpg | ✅ KEEP |
| /Downloads/vacation-photo.jpg | ❌ Remove |
| /Desktop/vacation-photo (1).jpg | ❌ Remove |
Potential savings: 8.4 MB
Smart Recommendations
Claude recommends keeping the file that is:
- In the most logical location (Photos > Downloads)
- Highest quality (resolution, bitrate)
- Has the most descriptive filename
Tips
- Never auto-deletes: All deletions require your approval
- Move to Trash first: Recommended over permanent delete
- Check Downloads: Most duplicates live there
- Large files first: Focus on biggest space savings
Commands
"Find duplicates in my Documents folder"
"How much space can I recover?"
"Show me duplicate photos only"
"Compare these two folders for duplicates"
Troubleshooting
Too many results Focus on one folder: "Just check Downloads for duplicates"
Want to keep both Say: "Skip this group, I want to keep both"
Uncertain about a file Claude flags uncertain cases for manual review