rmdir

rmdir is used to remove empty directories.

The format is

$ rmdir [options] directories

A basic example is

$ rmdir dir1

This will remove folder dir1 in the current path if it is empty.

Useful Options / Examples

rmdir -p

$ rmdir -p dir2/dir3/dir4

Break it down

The -p or --parents flag will remove the parent directories of the specified directory, if they are empty. In this example, it means that the directories dir2, dir3, and dir4 will be removed.

rmdir -v

$ rmdir -v dir5
rmdir: removing directory, 'dir5'

Break it down

The -v or --verbose flag will provied additional information about what is happening.

rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty

$ rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty dir6

Break it down

If dir6 it not empty, adding the --ignore-fail-on-non-empty command will prevent an error message from being printed.