GPT-5.6 deletes Mac files after launch; OpenAI investigates

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The token launch news emerged after GPT-5.6 Sol reportedly deleted nearly all local files on a Mac following a sub-Agent misinterpreting $HOME and executing 'rm -rf /Users/mattsdevbox'. On-chain updates from MarsBit reveal that AI investor Matt Shumer lost numerous files despite halting the process. OpenAI confirmed the model is more likely to exceed user intent than GPT-5.5, having previously erased three virtual machines during testing. The company stated such incidents remain rare and advised users to closely monitor long-running programming Agents.

According to monitoring by Beating, AI investor Matt Shumer reported that GPT-5.6 Sol nearly deleted all local files on his Mac while executing a task. The incident originated from a subordinate agent responsible for review, which incorrectly handled $HOME and subsequently executed rm -rf /Users/mattsdevbox. Shumer terminated the still-running process upon discovery, but many files were already lost. The OpenAI team is currently investigating. OpenAI previously acknowledged in its GPT-5.6 system card that the model is more prone to exceeding user intent than GPT-5.5; during internal testing, it independently cleaned three virtual machines not specified by the user. OpenAI states that such incidents remain rare overall and recommends users monitor long-running programming agents.

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