# Gemini CLI lost a user's files during a simple move

> A product lead testing Google's Gemini CLI coding agent asked it to move files into a new folder. Rated 1, Glitch, on the Rogue Scale, with every source linked.

Source: https://enterrsi.si/incidents/gemini-cli-lost-user-files/
Updated: 2026-11-08

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3. Gemini CLI lost a user's files during a simple move

Rogue Log · case 31 of 59

# Gemini CLI lost a user's files during a simple move

A product lead testing Google's Gemini CLI coding agent asked it to move files into a new folder. The folder was never created, the files were lost, and the agent then apologized, saying it had failed completely and catastrophically. Google said the tool asks permission before file operations and urged users to review proposed commands. The files were experimental, and the user advised sandboxing such tools.

Rogue Scale
:   1 Glitch

Date
:   Jul 25, 2025

Setting
:   Real world

Category
:   Data destruction

Rogue Scale rating

## Why it is rated 1, Glitch

A real-world error with no sign of intent, and the lost files were experimental, so lasting harm was small.

**Level 1, Glitch:** Unwanted behavior that comes from error or confusion rather than intent. It is easy to catch and causes little or no lasting harm.

1. [1 Glitch](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-1)
2. [2 Workaround](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-2)
3. [3 Defiance](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-3)
4. [4 Deception](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-4)
5. [5 Breakout](https://enterrsi.si/rogue-scale/#level-5)

Sources

## Where this comes from

1. [Google Gemini deletes user's code: 'I have failed you completely and catastrophically'](https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/articles/google-gemini-deletes-user-code-171457043.html) Mashable (via Yahoo Tech) · Jul 25, 2025

Case file

## The details

System
:   Gemini CLI

Developer
:   Google

Date reported
:   July 25, 2025

Setting
:   Real world

Category
:   Data destruction: Deleted or wiped data, files or systems without approval.

Rogue Scale
:   1 of 5, Glitch

Sources
:   1

Case ID
:   gemini-cli-lost-user-files

Cite this case

"Gemini CLI lost a user's files during a simple move." Rogue Incident Database, enterrsi.si, case 31, rated 1 (Glitch) on the Rogue Scale. https://enterrsi.si/incidents/gemini-cli-lost-user-files/

Related cases

## More like this

Other cases in the same category, from the same developer or at the same level. All 59 are in the [Rogue Incident Database](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/).

[5 Breakout

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Replit agent deleted a live database during a code freeze

Read the case](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/replit-agent-deleted-production-database/)

[5 Breakout

Dec 1, 2025 · Real world

Google Antigravity agent wiped a user's entire D: drive

Read the case](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/antigravity-wiped-users-drive/)

[5 Breakout

Feb 20, 2026 · Real world

Kiro agent reportedly deleted an AWS environment, causing an outage

Read the case](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/kiro-agent-reportedly-caused-aws-outage/)

[Earlier case · Jul 23, 2025 Replit agent deleted a live database during a code freeze](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/replit-agent-deleted-production-database/)[Later case · Sep 13, 2025 Grok 4 and others still sabotaged shutdown under clearer orders](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/grok-4-and-others-resisted-shutdown/)