name: yx-sandbox description: Use when running yx commands that create, modify, or delete yaks outside of real project work — provides an isolated temp environment
yx Sandbox
Use a sandbox whenever you need to run yx commands that would
pollute the project's real yak list — exploratory testing, UX
reviews, demos, experiments, etc.
Setup
Create a temp directory and capture its literal path:
mktemp -d
# Output: /tmp/tmp.xYz123AbC ← capture this literal path
Usage
Prefix every yx command with the env vars using the literal
path from above:
cd /tmp/tmp.xYz123AbC && YX_SKIP_GIT_CHECKS=1 yx <command>
cd /tmp/tmp.xYz123AbCenters the temp sandbox directoryYX_SKIP_GIT_CHECKS=1avoids git setup requirements in temp dirs- yx will use
.yaksin the current directory when git checks are skipped - Never run bare
yxwithoutYX_SKIP_GIT_CHECKS=1during sandbox work
Note: Shell variables don't persist between Bash tool calls.
Always use the literal path, not a variable like $SANDBOX.
Cleanup
rm -rf /tmp/tmp.xYz123AbC
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
Running yx without the prefix |
Every command needs both env vars |
Using $SANDBOX variable |
Literal path only — vars don't persist between calls |
| Forgetting to clean up | rm -rf <path> when done |