remove mongodb that was installed via brew

remove_brew-mongo_osx.sh

#!/usr/bin/env sh

# first check to see if mongo service is running. you can't delete any files until the service stops so perform a quick check.
launchctl list | grep mongo
  # NOTE: the pipe | symbol means the commands on the right performs on the output from the left
  # grep is a string search utility. `grep mongo` means search for the substring mongo
 
# use the unload command to end the mongo service. this is required to 'unlock' before removing the service.
#    first look for the file to delete
MONGO_SERVICE_FILE=$(ls ~/Library/LaunchAgents/*mongodb*)
#    the following produces something like launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mongodb.plist
launchctl unload $MONGO_SERVICE_FILE


  # NOTE: if there is an error with the unload command it means it's not recognizing the correct filename
  # you can try searching for the correct filename within the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder. see line 39 for the command.
  
  
  # NOTE: another mention about the note above to ensure reader sees the message above about correct filename.
 

# then you can remove the service. the name of the service after the word remove should match the output from running the command shown in line 4
# basically you're filling in the pattern launchctl remove <service-name>
launchctl remove homebrew.mxcl.mongodb

# kill the process
pkill -f mongod

# remove the mongodb service file. again, please make sure the filename is correct. 
#   this command removes the plist file that was found above. It should create a command that works to the effect of
#       rm -f ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mongodb.plist
rm -f $MONGO_SERVICE_FILE

# remove data directories
rm -rf /usr/local/var/mongod
  # NOTE: the flag options here include both r and f 
  # using -rf together means you're telling the machine to 'delete all items in the specified path subtree without confirmation'

# uninstal mongodb using brew
brew uninstall mongodb

# double check existence of mongodb in both folders
ls -al /usr/local/bin/*mongo*
ls -al ~/Library/LaunchAgents/*mongo*
  # NOTE: The asterisk indicate wildcard using regular expression (regex) notation along with substring `mongo`
  # This regex syntax has same purpose as using grep when searching for the existence of filename(s)
  # so instead of soley using the `ls` command you can also combine with grep `ls -al ~/Library/LaunchAgents | grep mongo`
  
  
# now you should have it entirely removed and can reinstall mongodb or whatever your heart desires

MongoDB Community Edition

~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mongodb-community.plist

I hadn't looked at the script file since 2014 when this gist was first created so it looks like there were some changes since then. I updated the file with some notes to provide guidance and hopefully help future proof the tips shared.

Many thanks to all who provided helpful feedback to help improve the gist.

Line 35 should be
rm -rf /usr/local/var/mongodb
However, this is where the data is stored, so the script still works, it just doesn't delete the existing data (which might be a good idea not to anyway)

Thanks