diff --git a/file/dirops.go b/file/dirops.go
index 62b0341..455bef2 100644
--- a/file/dirops.go
+++ b/file/dirops.go
@@ -6,11 +6,22 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"time"
 )
 
+// Set of allowed file extensions for the safety check before clearing the objects folder
+var allowedExtensions = map[string]struct{}{
+	".json":           {},
+	".gmnotes":        {},
+	".luascriptstate": {},
+	".ttslua":         {},
+	".xml":            {},
+}
+
 // DirCreator abstracts folder creation
 type DirCreator interface {
 	CreateDir(relpath string, suggestion string) (string, error)
+	Clear() error
 }
 
 // DirExplorer allows files and folders to be enumerated
@@ -51,6 +62,59 @@ func (d *DirOps) CreateDir(relpath, suggestion string) (string, error) {
 	return dirname, nil
 }
 
+// preClearCheck walks the directory and ensures all files have an allowed extension.
+// It returns an error if a file with a disallowed extension is found.
+func (d *DirOps) preClearCheck() error {
+	walkErr := filepath.Walk(d.base, func(path string, info os.FileInfo, err error) error {
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		// Skip directories
+		if info.IsDir() {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		ext := filepath.Ext(info.Name())
+		if _, isAllowed := allowedExtensions[ext]; !isAllowed {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unsafe file type found: %s", path)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	// If the directory doesn't exist, Walk returns an error. We treat this as "safe".
+	if os.IsNotExist(walkErr) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return walkErr
+}
+
+// Clear removes all contents from the base directory and recreates it.
+func (d *DirOps) Clear() error {
+	log.Println("Performing safety check...")
+	startTime := time.Now()
+
+	if err := d.preClearCheck(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pre-clear safety check failed, operation aborted: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	duration := time.Since(startTime)
+	log.Printf("Safety check passed in %v. Proceeding with clear.", duration)
+
+	// Remove the directory and all its contents
+	if err := os.RemoveAll(d.base); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error clearing directory %s: %w", d.base, err)
+	}
+
+	// Recreate the empty directory
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(d.base, 0755); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error recreating directory %s: %w", d.base, err)
+	}
+
+	log.Printf("Cleared and recreated directory: %s", d.base)
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ListFilesAndFolders allows for file exploration. returns relateive file or folder names
 func (d *DirOps) ListFilesAndFolders(relpath string) ([]string, []string, error) {
 	p := filepath.Join(d.base, relpath)
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 3a33547..bab6dcd 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -92,7 +92,13 @@ func main() {
 		if *objin != "" {
 			*modfile = *objin
 			objs = file.NewJSONOps(filepath.Dir(*objout))
+		} else {
+			// clear the objects directory to avoid orphaned files (by removing and recreating)
+			if err := objdir.Clear(); err != nil {
+				log.Fatalf("Failed to clear objects directory before writing: %v", err)
+			}
 		}
+	
 		raw, err := prepForReverse(*moddir, *modfile)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("prepForReverse (%s) failed : %v", *modfile, err)
diff --git a/tests/fakefiles.go b/tests/fakefiles.go
index 6ebe915..304f23e 100644
--- a/tests/fakefiles.go
+++ b/tests/fakefiles.go
@@ -116,6 +116,11 @@ func (f *FakeFiles) CreateDir(a, b string) (string, error) {
 	return b, nil
 }
 
+// Clear satisfies DirCreator
+func (f *FakeFiles) Clear() error {
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ListFilesAndFolders satisfies DirExplorer
 func (f *FakeFiles) ListFilesAndFolders(relpath string) ([]string, []string, error) {
 	// ignore non json files. i don't think they Matter