Joomla Clean Temp Directory Extension

Joomla has a temporary directory where Joomla itself and third party extensions can store files needed only for a short period of time, typically for the lifetime of a request. Normally, these files are deleted automatically when they are no longer needed. Sometimes, however, a number of server, network or programming issues may result in the premature termination of the page working on this data, leaving unneeded files behind cluttering your site's disk. For example, if an extension installation fails with a timeout or a PHP fatal error the extracted files of that extension may be left behind.

The module provides a button in the Joomla backend which delete the content of the temporary directory which is older than 60 seconds.

The plugin will remove all files and folders under the temporary directory which have not been updated in the last 60 seconds. This time limit is long enough to allow legitimate long running use cases, such as extension installation, to work without accidentally removing the files they are operating on. The plugin also has an option where you can add a list of protected files, which will not be deleted, even if otherwhise would be selected for deletion.

Plugin is triggered on several core backend events, like:

onUserAfterSave()
onContentAfterSave()

Or in a tricky situation, if the frontend token is used by appending to any frontend URL the &token=token_set_in_plugin_parameters in conjunction of onAfterInitialise() event – useful if you want to trigger it via a CRON command.
This package consists of a module and a plugin. Clean Temp Directory is small, fast and uses core Joomla libraties and classes!

Module

The administration module allows you to clean the 'temp' from everywhere in the backend within seconds. Clean Temp Directory is small, fast and uses core Joomla libraties and classes!

Steps after the installation:

1. Select 'Extensions' - 'Modules'
2. Change the module type of 'Site' to 'Administrator' (at the left in the drop-down lists)
3. Choose 'Clean Temp Directory'
4. Set or enter the position 'status' and set the status to 'Published'

Plugin

The plugin automatically deletes the temporary directory on preset events. The execution is initiated by the respective component with so-called event triggers. The temp directory can be cleaned automatically after the saving of an article or a user.

Steps after the installation:

1. Select 'Extensions' - 'Plugin Manager'
2. Select, configure and publish the plugin 'System - Quick Temp Files Deletion'