# ath erase

> Permanently remove a record and every stored dependency.

Website: https://ath.fit/docs/erase/
Markdown: https://ath.fit/docs/erase.md

ATH v1.0.0 · MIT license. Documentation source: [7cd6a09](https://github.com/mwhitham/ath/blob/7cd6a097dbf2a12c7ea8a319869d4e0bb0def96b/src/program.ts). If your installed version differs, check its command help.

Checked 18 October 2026: v1.0.0 is available on npm.

## Usage

```text
ath erase <record-id> --revision 2 --json
```

## What it does

Previews the named record, dependent records and attachments. After two confirmations it removes current values, value-bearing revisions and attachment files, leaving only value-free erasure markers.

## Irreversible limits

Erasure cannot remove copies already present in exports, backups, filesystem snapshots, SQLite journals or storage-device history. --json and --dry-run never erase anything.

```text
ath erase <record-id> --revision 2 --reason athlete_request --yes \
  --confirm-erasure <record-id>
```

## Options

| Argument or option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `--revision <number>` | current record revision |
| `--reason <code>` | athlete_request, legal_requirement, recorded_in_error or other |
| `--confirm-erasure <record-id>` | required exact second confirmation for non-interactive use |
| `--file <path>` | change another database |
| `-y, --yes` | accept the first confirmation |
| `--json` | structured preview; never erases |