Deleting and restoring files

When you delete a media item in Melvec, the behaviour depends on where the file came from.

Deleting from your library

When you delete an item that belongs to your main library:

1. Melvec removes the item from your library view, collections, playlists, and search results.
2. The original file is not permanently deleted from disk.
3. Instead, the file is moved to a special folder inside your library root:

melvec-trash/

This keeps the file safe so you can recover it later if needed.

Restoring a deleted file

To restore a file that was deleted from the library:

1. Open your library root folder in Finder.
2. Open the melvec-trash folder.
3. Copy (or move) the file back into the library root, or into any normal subfolder that belongs to your library.
4. Restart Melvec (or re-open the library).

On the next startup, Melvec will automatically detect the file and import it back into the library.

Permanently deleting files

Melvec does not automatically clean up the trash folder.

If you want to free disk space, you must manually delete the files from the melvec-trash folder in Finder.

Warning: Empty the melvec-trash folder only when you are sure you no longer need those files. This action cannot be undone by Melvec.

Deleting from watch folders

Watch folders behave differently.

If you delete a file that came from a watch folder (or delete it while it is still being managed through a watch folder workflow):

• The file is removed completely
• It is not moved to melvec-trash
• Melvec cannot restore it

Danger: Deleting from a watch folder is permanent. Always double-check before confirming the delete action.

Summary

Source	What happens on delete	Can it be restored?
Main library	Moved to melvec-trash/	Yes — copy fils back to library root and restart Melvec
Watch folder	Deleted completely	No

Best practices

• Use the library delete action when you may want to recover the file later.
• Be careful with watch-folder deletes — they are permanent.
• Periodically review and empty melvec-trash if you need to reclaim disk space.
• Create your own "Inbox" or "Unsorted" collection if you need a holding place for files you are not ready to organise yet.