continuedev/continue · error · Error

Only rule files can be deleted

Error message

Only rule files can be deleted

What it means

The file/delete message handler in core.ts only permits deleting files that are colocated rules files or Continue config-related URIs; anything else throws 'Only rule files can be deleted'. This is a security guard preventing the extension from deleting arbitrary files.

Solutions

1. Only send delete requests for rule files under the recognized rules directories or Continue config URIs
2. Update the extension/client to matching versions so path formats agree
3. To delete other files, use the IDE's own file APIs, not this message channel

import { isColocatedRulesFile, isContinueConfigRelatedUri } from 'core/index';
if (!isColocatedRulesFile(fp) && !isContinueConfigRelatedUri(fp)) {
  throw new Error('Refusing to delete non-rule file');
}

function isDeletablePath(fp: string): boolean {
  return isColocatedRulesFile(fp) || isContinueConfigRelatedUri(fp);
}

When it happens

Trigger: A frontend request to core with type 'file/delete' whose filepath is neither a colocated rules file (e.g. .continue/rules/*.md) nor a continue-config-related URI.

Common situations: Frontend code or an old client version sends deletions for arbitrary paths; a stale build sending config paths in a format the URI check no longer recognizes.

Related errors

• Agent file must contain YAML frontmatter with a 'name' field
• is block listed and can not be used.
• Failed to load config
• Failed to parse block
• Failed to parse config

AI-assisted analysis of continuedev/continue@5522c6f44c (2026-08-27). Data as JSON: /api/errors/39699869f2082e01. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at core/core.ts:412

      try {
        await createNewGlobalRuleFile(this.ide, msg.data?.baseFilename);
        walkDirCache.invalidate();
        await this.configHandler.reloadConfig(
          "Global rule created (config/addGlobalRule message)",
        );
      } catch (error) {
        throw error;
      }
    });

    on("config/deleteRule", async (msg) => {
      try {
        const filepath = msg.data.filepath;
        if (
          !isColocatedRulesFile(filepath) &&
          !isContinueConfigRelatedUri(filepath)
        ) {
          throw new Error("Only rule files can be deleted");
        }
        const fileExists = await this.ide.fileExists(filepath);
        if (fileExists) {
          await this.ide.removeFile(filepath);
          walkDirCache.invalidate();
          await this.configHandler.reloadConfig(
            "Rule file deleted (config/deleteRule message)",
          );
        }
      } catch (error) {
        console.error("Failed to delete rule file:", error);
        throw error;
      }
    });

    on("config/openProfile", async (msg) => {
      await this.configHandler.openConfigProfile(msg.data.profileId);
    });

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