Sifty
What it is
Sifty is a free, open-source Windows maintenance tool with both a command-line interface and a full-screen terminal interface. It scans temporary files, browser caches, crash dumps, and other junk, then provides cleanup actions. Disk tools report volume usage, locate large files, and find duplicates using NTFS-aware handling. Sifty can uninstall applications through winget, scan for leftover files, and perform batch uninstall tasks. Developer-focused cleanup covers node_modules, build output, orphaned worktrees, and WSL2 disks. Startup items and services marked safe to disable can be managed and later re-enabled. Destructive commands preview changes by default and require --apply plus confirmation; removed items go to the Recycle Bin, and applied deletions are logged. Windows, Program Files, ProgramData, drive root, and user profile root are protected. An optional local Ollama assistant sees names, sizes, and paths, not contents, and cannot delete files. Sifty supports Windows 10 and 11 through pipx, standalone executable, Scoop, and winget. The pipx route requires Python 3.11 or later.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under MIT license
- Preview and confirmation before destructive cleanup
- Recycle Bin removals can be undone
- Developer and WSL2 cleanup tools
- Runs through several Windows installation methods
Against
- Windows-only software
- Command-line and terminal interfaces
- Pipx installation requires Python 3.11 or later
- Optional AI requires Ollama
The verdict
Sifty combines cautious cleanup controls with disk, startup, application, and developer-maintenance tools. Its Windows-only, terminal-oriented design is most relevant to users comfortable with those interfaces.
Who it suits
Sifty suits Windows users who want maintenance, cleanup, application removal, and disk inspection tools. Its developer-first features target build artifacts, orphaned worktrees, and WSL2 storage clutter.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open source · MIT license
Read 11 Oct 2026 · sifty.tech
On the record
- App management
- It uninstalls apps through winget and scans for leftover files afterward.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes Sifty as developer-first, with tools for build artifacts, orphaned worktrees and WSL2 disk clutter.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Audit log
- Applied deletions are recorded in an audit log under the user's Sifty application data directory.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Cleanup
- It scans and cleans temporary files, browser caches, crash dumps and other junk categories.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Developer cleanup
- It can clean development clutter such as node_modules, build output, orphaned worktrees and WSL2 disks.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Disk tools
- It reports volume usage, finds large files and scans for duplicates with NTFS-aware handling.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Sifty uses winget for app uninstalling and updates, and Ollama for its optional local AI assistant.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Optional AI
- The optional AI assistant uses Ollama locally, sees file names, sizes and paths but not file contents, and cannot delete files itself.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms and install
- Sifty supports Windows 10 and 11 and is distributed through pipx, a standalone executable, Scoop and winget.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Sifty is an open-source Windows maintenance tool with a command-line interface and full-screen terminal UI.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Protected paths
- Windows, Program Files, ProgramData, the drive root and the user profile root are protected from deletion.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The pipx installation requires Python 3.11 or later; the standalone executable does not require Python.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Safe cleanup
- Destructive commands preview by default and require --apply plus confirmation; removals go to the Recycle Bin and can be undone.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Startup
- It manages startup items and safe-to-disable services, with the ability to turn changes back on.sifty.tech · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The security policy asks vulnerability reports to be emailed to the maintainer and says a response is expected within a week.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
