# Verb :: delete
Removes an account profile from the credential store. Deletes `{name}.credentials.json`, `{name}.json`, and any legacy satellite files associated with the named account. If the target account is currently active, the active marker is also cleared.
### Nouns
| 1 | [account](../command_noun/001_account.md) | `.account.delete` | Conditional | No |
### Behavioral Contract
**Pre-conditions:**
- Named account exists in credential store
- `$HOME` environment variable set
**Post-conditions:**
- `{name}.credentials.json` removed from credential store
- `{name}.json` removed from credential store
- Legacy satellite files (if any) removed
- If target was the active account, `~/.claude/.credentials.json` is no longer associated with a named profile
**Side effects:**
- File deletion is permanent — no backup or archive created
- If the deleted account was active, the active marker is cleared; no automatic failover to another account
### Idempotency
**Conditional.** Deleting an already-absent account exits with code 2 (not found). When `dry::1`, a non-existent account is reported without error. Re-deleting a successfully deleted account is therefore not idempotent in the default mode.
### Common Parameters
| `name::` | Account to delete (email or unambiguous prefix) | Yes |
| `force::` | Bypass G6 ownership gate; allow deleting a non-owned account | No |
| `dry::` | Validate target exists without deleting | No |
| `trace::` | Emit diagnostic trace output | No |
### State Transition Pattern
**Removes state.** Deletes all files associated with the named account from the per-machine credential store.
```
[saved] --account.delete--> [absent]
[active] --account.delete--> [absent] (active marker also cleared)
```
### Cross-References
| [feature/005_account_delete.md](../../feature/005_account_delete.md) | File removal sequence and legacy satellite cleanup |
| [feature/036_account_ownership.md](../../feature/036_account_ownership.md) | G6 ownership gate — exits 1 when account owned by different identity; `force::1` bypasses G6 |
### Referenced Commands
| 1 | [`.account.delete`](../command/001_account.md#command--6-accountdelete) | Remove account profile from credential store |