File deletion service script for Finder on macOS

delete.bash

#!/bin/bash

#################
## Description ##
#################

# This service script will allow you to select some files and folders and
# delete them permanently (bypassing the trash), with a confirmation prompt.
#
# To install the script:
# 1. Open Automator.
# 2. Create a "Quick Action".
# 3. Add a "Run Shell Script" action.
# 4. Set "Workflow receives current" to "files or folders".
# 5. Set "in" to "Finder".
# 6. Set "Shell" to "/bin/bash".
# 7. Set "Pass input" to "as arguments".
# 8. Paste this script in the script text box.
# 9. Save as "Delete".
#
# After that, you can bind a keyboard shortcut to it by doing the following:
# 1. Open System Preferences.
# 2. Click on Keyboard.
# 3. Go to the Shortcuts tab.
# 4. Click on "Services".
# 5. Find the "Delete" service.
# 6. Click on it and then click on "Add shortcut".
# 7. Press the shortcut you want to use to delete files.
#
# Notes:
# - Delete/backspace don't seem to be allowed for custom shortcuts.
# - I use and can recommend "Command+Shift+X" since it's simple and memorable.
# - The first time you try to run the service, it will show a macOS prompt to
# allow the script to run, this is normal and only happens once per app (and
# since we're only using it on Finder, only *once*).
# -

###################
## Configuration ##
###################

# Set to 0 to disable the confirmation prompt (be careful as this will make
# it DELETE any file selected PERMANENTLY without warning).
confirm=1

############
## Script ##
############

# Quit early if no arguments are received.
[[ $# == 0 ]] && exit 0

items=("$@")

function delete_items {
	# Remove the selected files and folders recursively.
	rm -rf "${items[@]}"
}

# If the confirmation dialog is disable, let's just go ahead and delete the
# items.
[[ $confirm == 0 ]] && delete_items && exit 0

# Title and text for the message box.
# We'll replicate Windows' behavior and show different messages if the
# selected item is a folder, file or if there are multiple items.
if [[ $# == 1 ]]; then
	# If the item doesn't exist let's drop everything and quit.
	if ! [[ -e "$1" ]]; then
		exit 0
	fi

	# If the file's been modified since its creation, we'll print the modified
	# time, else the created time.
	created=$(stat -f %B "$1")
	modified=$(stat -f %c "$1")

	if [[ "$created" != "$modified" ]]; then
		date="Date modified: $(date -r $modified +%c)"
	else
		date="Date created: $(date -r $created +%c)"
	fi

	# Get only the file name from the path.
	name=$(basename "$1")

	# If we're deleting a folder...
	if [[ -d "$1" ]]; then
		title='Delete Folder'
		text="\
Are you sure you want to permanently delete this folder?\n\
\n\
$name\n\
$date"
	# ...or a file.
	else
		size=$(du -h --si "$1" | awk '{ print $1 }')
		title='Delete File'
		text="\
Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?\n\
\n\
$name\n\
$date\n\
Size: $size"
	fi
else
	title='Delete Multiple Items'
	text="Are you sure you want to permanently delete these $# items?"
fi

# AppleScript to show an ok/cancel message box to confirm deletion.
script="display dialog \"$text\" with title \"$title\""

# Run the script and suppress any error output in case the user cancels.
response=$(osascript -e "$script" 2>/dev/null)

# If we get a response that means the user confirmed the prompt, so let's delete
# the items, otherwise we'll quit gracefully.
[[ -n "$response" ]] && delete_items || exit 0