Manual Update and Complete Uninstallation Guide for an AI Coding CLI Tool

AI coding command-line tools typically run as standalone executables. They may also remain active in terminals, integrated development environments, or background tasks, keeping related files in use. When automatic updates fail, the installed version does not change, or an old environment needs to be removed, the tool can be updated or uninstalled manually.

The key principles are:

• Confirm the installation location before making changes.
• Stop related processes before replacing or deleting files.
• Back up configuration before modifying the installation.
• Verify the result through version checks and directory inspection.

Following these steps reduces file-locking problems and helps prevent the accidental deletion of source code, credentials, or personal settings.

1. Prepare for a Manual Update

1.1 Confirm the Current Installation Location

First, locate the directory containing the main executable—the folder from which the tool can be launched directly. Common locations include:

• A development tools directory created by the user
• A system-wide application directory
• A command-line tools directory under the user profile
• A shared program directory configured through environment variables
• A custom directory created after extracting an archive

If you are unsure where the program is installed, run a version check in the terminal to confirm that the tool can be invoked. Then inspect the system command search path to determine which executable is actually being used.

This guide uses tool.exe as an example. Replace it with the executable name of the target tool.

1.2 Record the Current Version and Configuration

Before updating, record the current version and document the following:

• The installed program version
• The directory containing the main executable
• The configuration directory
• User-level environment variables
• Custom plugins, extensions, or scripts
• Proxy, network, and authentication settings
• The most recent known-good state

For example:

tool.exe --version

If the tool supports invocation without a file extension, you can also run:

tool --version

Recording the version helps confirm that the update succeeded and makes it easier to roll back if the new release introduces compatibility problems.

1.3 Back Up Important Configuration

Replacing program files normally does not delete user configuration, but configuration directories can be located inside the installation directory, under the user profile, or in system configuration locations. Creating a backup is therefore recommended.

Important items to back up include:

• User configuration files
• Authentication information
• Custom prompts or rule files
• Themes, keyboard shortcuts, and terminal settings
• Plugin lists
• Project-level configuration files

Protect files containing access tokens, keys, or passwords. Do not upload them to public locations or copy them directly into a project repository. A dated backup directory can make later recovery easier:

tool-config-backup-2025-xx-xx

2. Obtain the Latest Program Files

2.1 Download from an Official Release Channel

Download the latest archive or installer from the tool’s official release page. Avoid repackaged, modified, or unofficial downloads from unknown sources or third-party sites.

Check the following before proceeding:

• The file matches the target operating system and processor architecture.
• The release version is the expected version.
• The file type is an archive or installer officially provided by the project.
• The download page has not redirected to an unofficial address.
• The file size is reasonable and the archive can be extracted successfully.

If network access is unstable, use a trusted network or an organization-approved distribution method. Do not disable security protections, certificate validation, or file scanning merely to accelerate the download.

2.2 Verify the Downloaded File

If the release page provides a checksum, verify the downloaded file before replacing the existing installation. For example, on Windows you can use:

certutil -hashfile tool-package.zip SHA256

Compare the command output with the checksum published on the official release page. Continue only when the values match exactly.

If no checksum is available, perform at least these checks:

• The archive opens normally.
• The extracted directory contains the expected main executable.
• Security software does not flag the file as suspicious.
• The extracted directory does not contain clearly unrelated or suspicious scripts or programs.

3. Replace the Existing Executable

3.1 Close All Related Instances

Before copying new files, close every active instance, including:

• Open terminal windows
• Integrated terminals inside an IDE
• Background tasks
• Automation scripts
• Child processes started by other programs
• Active update or diagnostic tasks

If the main executable is still in use, the operating system may report that the file is locked. In some cases, the replacement may appear to succeed while the old version continues to run.

If necessary, use Task Manager or another process-management tool to search for the program name and terminate only confirmed related processes. Save unfinished work first to avoid interrupting code analysis, file modifications, or automation tasks.

3.2 Extract the New Version

Extract the downloaded archive into a temporary directory instead of copying it directly over the existing installation. This provides two advantages:

1. You can inspect the archive contents before changing the official installation.
2. You can identify incomplete or damaged files before replacement.

The extracted directory will usually contain the new main executable and may also include runtime libraries, resource files, or license information. Do not determine the version from the filename alone. When available, check file properties, modification times, digital signatures, or embedded version information.

3.3 Keep a Rollback Copy

Before replacement, rename the old executable, for example:

tool.exe
tool.exe.backup

Alternatively, copy the old version to a separate backup directory. If the new version cannot start, causes compatibility problems, or affects an existing project, the previous version can then be restored quickly.

Do not leave the backup file in a directory that appears in the system command search path. Some terminals may interpret the backup as another executable. Moving it to a separate archive directory is safer.

3.4 Copy and Replace the Program Files

Copy the extracted new executable into the confirmed installation directory. If the system requests elevated permissions, verify that the target directory is actually the tool’s installation location before approving the operation.

During replacement:

• Do not accidentally delete configuration files.
• Do not overwrite files with the same name in a project directory.
• Do not copy the entire archive in a way that adds an unwanted extra directory level.
• Do not mix the main executable and runtime libraries from different installations.
• If multiple architecture versions are included, select the version that matches the current system.

For release packages containing multiple files, replace the relevant program files according to the official directory structure. Preserve user configuration and personal data unless the release instructions explicitly require otherwise.

4. Verify That the Update Succeeded

After the replacement is complete, open a new terminal and run:

tool --version

Also perform the following checks.

4.1 Confirm the Version Changed

The reported version should match the downloaded release. If the old version is still displayed, possible causes include:

• The system found another installation directory.
• Multiple executables with the same name exist in the environment.
• The terminal is still using a previously resolved command path.
• The new file did not actually replace the old one.
• The command invokes a script wrapper rather than the executable that was replaced.

Check the actual command path, close the terminal, and open a new one before running the version check again.

4.2 Test Basic Functionality

Run low-risk tests such as:

• Displaying the help information
• Checking the version
• Running a simple task in a test project
• Confirming that configuration loads correctly
• Checking that terminal output and logs contain no obvious errors

Do not use an unverified release immediately for a critical production project or for operations that modify large numbers of files.

4.3 Check Permissions and Environment Variables

If the updated tool reports that it cannot start, cannot find a file, or lacks permission, check the following:

• Whether the executable has permission to run
• Whether security policies restrict the installation directory
• Whether environment variables still point to the old directory
• Whether required dependencies are located beside the main executable
• Whether the current account can access the configuration directory

5. Assess the Risks Before Uninstallation

Before uninstalling, distinguish among three categories of files:

1. Program files: Executables, runtime libraries, and resource files
2. User configuration: Preferences, authentication information, extensions, and caches
3. Project data: Source code, project configuration, generated output, and logs

Deleting only the program files does not necessarily constitute a complete uninstall. Configuration and cache files may remain. However, deleting an entire user directory may also remove configuration shared by other tools or files belonging to projects.

Define the intended cleanup scope first:

• Remove only the program while keeping configuration for a future reinstall
• Remove the program and caches to free disk space
• Perform a complete cleanup, including configuration, credentials, and history
• Preserve project data while removing files created by the tool

6. Manually Uninstall the Tool

6.1 Close the Program and Background Processes

Exit all terminals, IDE plugins, automation scripts, and background tasks. Confirm that no related process is still running before deleting files.

If deletion fails, a file is usually still in use. Recheck the process list and, if necessary, sign out of the current account or restart the system before trying again.

6.2 Delete the Main Program and Supporting Files

Open the confirmed installation directory and remove the main executable, runtime libraries, and resource files. If the directory is used exclusively by this tool, the entire directory can be removed. If it contains other programs or personal files, delete only the files associated with the target tool.

For manually extracted tools, check whether duplicate copies remain in other directories. Searching for the executable name and related directory names can help locate them, but confirm the purpose of each result before deletion.

6.3 Remove Entries from the Command Search Path

If the installation directory was added manually to an environment variable, remove that path. Otherwise, the system may continue trying to launch the tool from a directory that no longer exists, or multiple versions may be invoked inconsistently.

After modifying environment variables, open a new terminal so that the updated environment takes effect.

6.4 Handle Configuration, Cache, and Log Files

Depending on the cleanup scope, selectively remove:

• User-level configuration directories
• Cache directories
• Temporary files
• Log directories
• Extension and plugin directories
• Authentication or session data directories

Before deleting authentication data, confirm that the credentials are no longer needed and follow applicable organizational security policies. Files containing tokens, keys, or personal data should not simply be left in a recoverable recycle bin. Use an appropriate secure deletion process when required.

6.5 Remove Project-Level Residual Files Carefully

Some tools create hidden configuration directories, task records, or cache files in the project root. Before removing them, inspect their contents and modification times to confirm that they were created by the target tool.

Do not delete an entire project configuration directory merely because its name includes the tool name. Build scripts, dependency lock files, and version-control configuration may be unrelated to the tool, and removing them can disrupt collaboration and builds.

7. Common Problems and Recommended Responses

The Old Version Is Still Displayed After the Update

Check whether multiple installation copies exist and confirm the path used by the current terminal. Close the old terminal window, open a new one, and run the version check again. This often eliminates problems caused by a previously resolved command path.

The File Cannot Be Replaced

Close all related processes and inspect background tasks and IDE plugins. If the replacement still fails, copy the new version to a temporary directory and test it to confirm that the file is not damaged. Then retry the replacement using an account with the appropriate permissions.

Configuration Disappeared After the Update

The configuration may have been deleted accidentally, or the new version may use a different configuration directory. Restore the backup first, then consult the official release notes for configuration migration requirements.

Do not overwrite all new configuration files with the old set without checking compatibility. Authentication and extension settings in particular may use formats that differ between releases.

The Command Still Works After Uninstallation

This usually means another copy remains on the system, or the terminal is invoking a script wrapper. Search for executables with the same name, inspect environment variables, and restart the terminal before verifying the result again.

8. Recommended Maintenance Practices

To reduce the cost and risk of manual maintenance:

• Record the previous version before every update.
• Archive installation packages by version.
• Keep the most recent working version available for rollback.
• Periodically remove unused caches, but do not delete configuration without review.
• Test a new release in a test project before using it in a production project.
• Restrict access to directories containing authentication information.
• In enterprise environments, manage versions through centralized software distribution and change records.

Manual updates and uninstallations are generally straightforward, but the important steps are confirming paths, controlling processes, backing up configuration, and verifying the result. Following the sequence of “confirm, back up, replace, verify” for updates—or “confirm, back up, clean, review” for uninstallations—helps maintain an AI coding CLI tool safely when automatic updates are unavailable while minimizing the risk of data loss and environment conflicts.