View source for NixOS Wiki:Deletion process

{{wip|date=8 June 2025|reason=This is a process proposal currently under debate by the community. Discuss on {{tpl|the discussion page}}|scope=proposal}}

This page serves as a guideline for how an editor can propose an article for deletion, and how the community can handle such proposals, such that the deletion is carried out with fairness and efficiency.

== Motivation ==

As of June 2025, the wiki has been amassing a [[:Category:Deletion candidates|growing number of deletion candidates]], some inherited from the import. These pages are cluttering the wiki, sometimes leading to confusion regarding which information is reliable, which templates are in use, etc.

It is important we handle housekeeping efficiently, so that we minimise the risk of confusion, and that we keep to the standards laid down in the [[Project:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]].

This document serves as the guideline for how such a process could exist.

== The deletion process ==

When an editor notices a page that may not be relevant to the wiki, may be [[Nix by example|in violation of the wiki's policies]], or may not be up to the standards in the manual of style, there are two possible avenues to take. However, if the page checks any of the ''Speedy deletion criteria'' below, the page may be deleted right away.

The first avenue, which is '''preferred''' is to mark the page with one of the templates that signal significant issues with the article (listed in the related section below). This gives the editors the chance to rectify the issues without requiring a more destructive solution to the situation.

The second avenue, reserved for significant violations of the standard, is to mark the article for deletion directly. This would start the ''deletion process'' right away. This shouldn't be used as a panacea, rather it should be for the most obvious, direct and damaging edits on the wiki.

An overview of the process is shown in the flowchart below. An extensive process timeline is shown in the table, where T<sub>0</sub> marks the moment an editor notices issues with an article, T<sub>1</sub> marks the moment the article is proposed for deletion and T<sub>2</sub> marks the time an article '''qualifies''' for deletion.
{{caption|{{Mermaid|flowchart LR|
P[Page] --issues marked for rectification--> PWI[Page with Issues] --issues rectified--> D[Done]
P --meets speedy deletion criteria--> X[Deleted]
PWI --issues not rectified after 30d--> DC[Deletion Candidate]
DC --meets speedy deletion criteria--> X
DC --no comments 7d after Matrix post--> X
DC --comment against deletion--> DD[Disputed Deletion Candidate]
DD --most users support deletion after 30d--> X
DD --most users against deletion after 30d--> PWI
}}|An overview of the deletion process|alt=A flowchart showing the deletion process, following the same timeline as the table below|align=center|width=100%}}

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
 ! T<sub>0</sub>
 ! T<sub>1</sub>
 ! T<sub>2</sub>
 ! Step
 ! Deadline
 |-
 | -?d
 |
 |
 | A page is created that is not up to the wiki's standards, or such an edit takes place on an existing article
 | -
 |-
 | T<sub>0</sub>
 |
 |
 | The article's '''issues are marked''' for rectification, with the appropriate template
 | 30 days
 |-
 | T<sub>0</sub>
 | -30d
 |
 | Editors of the wiki may contribute by fixing the article, removing the notice, thus ending this process.
 | -
 |- 
 | +30d
 | 
 |
 | If no editors have contributed by fixing the article, and the issues are severe enough, the article may now be proposed for deletion
 | -
 |-
 | +30d
 | T<sub>1</sub>
 | 
 | The article is proposed for deletion by an editor
 | 14 days
 |-
 |
 | +7d
 |
 | If no statements for or against the deletion have been made on the related discussion page, the link to the article should be posted on the Matrix channel.
 | 7 days
 |-
 |
 | +14d
 | T<sub>2</sub>
 | If 7 days '''after posting on the Matrix channel''', there are no comments on the discussion page against the deletion, the '''page may be deleted.'''
 | 30 days
 |-
 |
 | +14d
 |
 | If 7 days '''after posting on the Matrix channel''', there are only comments against the deletion, the process is concluded and the proposal does not pass. The notice should be removed right away
 | -
 |-
 |
 | +14d
 | -30d
 | If 7 days '''after posting on the Matrix channel''', there are comments both for and against, we enter a debate period of 30 days, on which the users may add arguments for or against.
 | 30 days
 |-
 | 
 | +44d
 | T<sub>2</sub>
 | If the majority of the users involved in the conversation are against the deletion, the proposal does not pass, and the notice is removed. If the majority are for the deletion, the article may now be deleted.
 | 30 days
 |-
 | 
 | 
 | +30d
 | If 30 days since the article '''qualifies for deletion''' pass, and the article is still not deleted, the editor(s) may prompt the admins for expedited deletion.
 |
 |}

=== Marking for rectification ===

It is always '''preferrable''' to mark the issues of the article and allow the editors the time to rectify them. The wiki is a collaborative environment, and user error is always a possibility. Thus, use one of the templates below to mark the article accordingly.

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
 ! Template
 ! Example
 |-
 | {{tl|outdated}}
 | {{outdated|category=no}}
 |-
 | {{tl|cleanup}}
 | {{cleanup|category=no}}
 |-
 | {{tl|expand}}
 | {{expand|category=no}}
 |-
 | {{tl|low quality}}
 | {{low quality|category=no}}
 |-
 | {{tl|wip}}
 | {{wip|category=no}}
 |-
 | {{tl|copypaste}}
 | {{copypaste|category=no}}
 |}

=== Speedy deletion criteria ===

# Pages containing '''nonsense or gibberish'''.
# Pages used solely for '''testing''' purposes. This includes templates that are unused.
# '''Vandalism'''.
# Deletion candidates that were '''requested by its sole author'''.
# Pages that obviously qualify as '''copyright infringement'''.
# Pages that obviously qualify as '''advertising or promotion''', with little documentation value.
# '''Technical pages''' such as disambiguation pages or redirects.