A computer initiates a fault prevention shell. The computer protects a plurality of the computer's files in a first storage area. The computer carries out a command entered by a user into the fault prevention shell, wherein the command targets one or more of the plurality of the computer's files in the first storage area, and wherein the command is carried out on a copy of the one or more of the plurality of the computer's files in a second storage area. The computer prompts a commit by the user to perform the command on the one or more of the plurality of the computer's files in the first storage area. The computer processes a user response to the prompt. The computer updates one or more command lists with the command.