Inspiration

Deleting files is usually a blind process. You drag things into the trash without really knowing what you’re deleting or how much space you're freeing. We wanted to make file cleanup more visual and intentional.

What it does

Incinerator replaces the recycle bin with a small firepit widget.

You can drag files into it like a trash bin, and clicking it opens a review interface where files appear as cards showing their size, creation date, and last opened date. Files are ranked by how likely they are safe to delete, and users can drag them into the firepit to permanently delete them.

How we built it

We built Incinerator for both macOS and Windows. Each version includes a lightweight firepit widget that runs in the background and a larger interface that lets users review and delete files through an interactive card system.

Challenges we ran into

Creating consistent animation frames for the firepit was difficult, since sprite animations require every frame to be aligned perfectly.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We created a working prototype that turns file deletion into something visual, interactive, and easier to understand.

What we learned

We learned how to design desktop interactions that feel natural while still keeping the background process lightweight.

What's next for Incinerator

Next we want to improve the recommendation system, add deeper storage insights, and continue refining the experience on both macOS and Windows.

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