diff --git a/bin/devsweep b/bin/devsweep
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index 18e9c62..d79cae6
--- a/bin/devsweep
+++ b/bin/devsweep
@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@ source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/modules/docker.sh"
 source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/modules/homebrew.sh"
 # shellcheck source=src/modules/devtools.sh
 source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/modules/devtools.sh"
+# shellcheck source=src/modules/project_cleanup.sh
+source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/modules/project_cleanup.sh"
 
 # Global array for selected modules
 declare -a SELECTED_MODULES=()
@@ -87,6 +89,7 @@ show_help() {
     echo "    --docker            Clean Docker/OrbStack (DESTRUCTIVE)"
     echo "    --homebrew          Clean Homebrew caches"
     echo "    --devtools          Clean dev tools (Maven, Gradle, Node, etc.)"
+    echo "    --projects          Clean stale node_modules from inactive projects"
     echo "    --system            Clean system logs and caches (requires sudo)"
     echo "    -a, --all           Run all cleanup modules"
     echo ""
@@ -113,11 +116,11 @@ show_help() {
     echo "    devsweep --force --all"
     echo ""
     echo -e "${CYAN}SAFETY FEATURES:${NC}"
-    echo "    • Dry-run mode to preview all actions"
-    echo "    • Interactive confirmations for dangerous operations"
-    echo "    • Double confirmation (\"type yes\") for destructive actions"
-    echo "    • Keeps latest JetBrains IDE versions automatically"
-    echo "    • Detailed logging of all operations"
+    echo "    \u2022 Dry-run mode to preview all actions"
+    echo "    \u2022 Interactive confirmations for dangerous operations"
+    echo "    \u2022 Double confirmation (\"type yes\") for destructive actions"
+    echo "    \u2022 Keeps latest JetBrains IDE versions automatically"
+    echo "    \u2022 Detailed logging of all operations"
     echo ""
     echo -e "${CYAN}MORE INFO:${NC}"
     echo "    GitHub: https://github.com/your-username/devsweep"
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@ parse_arguments() {
                 shift
                 ;;
             --all)
-                SELECTED_MODULES=("jetbrains" "docker" "homebrew" "devtools" "system")
+                SELECTED_MODULES=("jetbrains" "docker" "homebrew" "devtools" "projects" "system")
                 shift
                 ;;
             --jetbrains)
@@ -195,6 +198,10 @@ parse_arguments() {
                 SELECTED_MODULES+=("devtools")
                 shift
                 ;;
+            --projects)
+                SELECTED_MODULES+=("projects")
+                shift
+                ;;
             --system)
                 SELECTED_MODULES+=("system")
                 shift
@@ -276,6 +283,16 @@ run_modules() {
                     ((failed++))
                 fi
                 ;;
+            projects)
+                if project_cleanup_clean; then
+                    if [[ "$ANALYZE_MODE" != true ]]; then
+                        log_success "Module completed: projects"
+                    fi
+                else
+                    log_error "Module failed: projects"
+                    ((failed++))
+                fi
+                ;;
             system)
                 log_warn "System module not yet implemented"
                 # TODO: Implement cleanup_system_caches in src/modules/system.sh
@@ -324,10 +341,10 @@ main() {
 
             # Show mode indicators
             if [[ "$DRY_RUN" == true ]]; then
-                log_warn "🔍 DRY-RUN MODE: No files will be deleted"
+                log_warn "\U0001f50d DRY-RUN MODE: No files will be deleted"
             fi
             if [[ "$FORCE" == true ]]; then
-                log_warn "⚡ FORCE MODE: Confirmations will be skipped"
+                log_warn "\u26a1 FORCE MODE: Confirmations will be skipped"
             fi
             echo ""
 
@@ -363,13 +380,13 @@ main() {
 
         # Show mode indicators
         if [[ "$DRY_RUN" == true ]]; then
-            log_warn "🔍 DRY-RUN MODE: No files will be deleted"
+            log_warn "\U0001f50d DRY-RUN MODE: No files will be deleted"
         fi
         if [[ "$ANALYZE_MODE" == true ]]; then
-            log_info "📊 ANALYZE MODE: Collecting cleanup preview..."
+            log_info "\U0001f4ca ANALYZE MODE: Collecting cleanup preview..."
         fi
         if [[ "$FORCE" == true ]]; then
-            log_warn "⚡ FORCE MODE: Confirmations will be skipped"
+            log_warn "\u26a1 FORCE MODE: Confirmations will be skipped"
         fi
         echo ""
 
diff --git a/src/modules/project_cleanup.sh b/src/modules/project_cleanup.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97bcfcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/modules/project_cleanup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# project_cleanup.sh - Stale node_modules cleanup module
+# Scans HOME for node_modules directories in inactive projects and removes them
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Prevent double-sourcing
+if [[ -n "${DEVSWEEP_PROJECT_CLEANUP_LOADED:-}" ]]; then
+    return 0
+fi
+readonly DEVSWEEP_PROJECT_CLEANUP_LOADED=true
+
+# ============================================================
+# HELPERS
+# ============================================================
+
+# Replace HOME prefix with ~ for display
+shorten_path() {
+    echo "${1/$HOME/~}"
+}
+
+# Returns 0 when no project file has been touched within NODE_MODULES_STALE_DAYS.
+# node_modules and .git directories are excluded from the activity check.
+# Args: $1=project_dir
+is_project_inactive() {
+    local project_dir="$1"
+
+    # head -1 short-circuits as soon as one recent file is found
+    local active_file
+    active_file=$(find "$project_dir" \
+        -maxdepth 5 -type f \
+        ! -path "*/node_modules/*" \
+        ! -path "*/.git/*" \
+        -mtime -"${NODE_MODULES_STALE_DAYS}" 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+
+    [[ -z "$active_file" ]]
+}
+
+# Print the number of days since the most recent source-file modification.
+# Returns 9999 when the project contains no source files at all.
+# Args: $1=project_dir
+get_project_inactive_days() {
+    local project_dir="$1"
+
+    local latest_epoch
+    latest_epoch=$(find "$project_dir" \
+        -type f \
+        ! -path "*/node_modules/*" \
+        ! -path "*/.git/*" \
+        -exec stat -f %m {} + 2>/dev/null | sort -rn | head -1)
+
+    if [[ -z "$latest_epoch" ]]; then
+        echo 9999
+        return
+    fi
+
+    local now
+    now=$(date +%s)
+    echo $(( (now - latest_epoch) / 86400 ))
+}
+
+# ============================================================
+# SCAN
+# ============================================================
+
+# Print every top-level node_modules directory found under HOME.
+# Skips: nested node_modules, macOS Library, .Trash.
+find_node_modules() {
+    find "${HOME}" \
+        -maxdepth "$NODE_MODULES_MAX_DEPTH" \
+        -type d -name "node_modules" \
+        ! -path "*/node_modules/*" \
+        ! -path "${HOME}/Library/*" \
+        ! -path "${HOME}/.Trash/*" \
+        2>/dev/null
+}
+
+# ============================================================
+# CLEANUP
+# ============================================================
+
+# Scan, list, confirm and remove stale node_modules.
+# Respects DRY_RUN, ANALYZE_MODE, and FORCE.
+# Returns: 0 on success
+cleanup_stale_node_modules() {
+    log_cleanup_section "Stale node_modules Cleanup"
+    log_cleanup_info "Scanning for inactive projects..."
+
+    # Collect stale projects while staying in the current shell
+    local stale_projects=()
+    local stale_sizes=()
+    local stale_days=()
+    local total_size_kb=0
+
+    while IFS= read -r nm_dir; do
+        [[ -z "$nm_dir" ]] && continue
+
+        local project_dir
+        project_dir="$(dirname "$nm_dir")"
+
+        # Skip empty node_modules
+        if [[ -z "$(ls -A "$nm_dir" 2>/dev/null)" ]]; then
+            continue
+        fi
+
+        if is_project_inactive "$project_dir"; then
+            local size days size_kb
+            size=$(get_size "$nm_dir")
+            days=$(get_project_inactive_days "$project_dir")
+            size_kb=$(parse_size_to_kb "$size")
+
+            stale_projects+=("$project_dir")
+            stale_sizes+=("$size")
+            stale_days+=("$days")
+            total_size_kb=$((total_size_kb + size_kb))
+        fi
+    done < <(find_node_modules)
+
+    if [[ ${#stale_projects[@]} -eq 0 ]]; then
+        log_cleanup_info "No inactive projects with node_modules found"
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    local total_count=${#stale_projects[@]}
+    local total_size_human
+    total_size_human=$(format_kb_to_human "$total_size_kb")
+
+    # Display & analyze-mode registration
+    log_cleanup_info "Found $total_count project(s) with stale node_modules:"
+    if [[ "$ANALYZE_MODE" != true ]]; then
+        echo ""
+    fi
+
+    local i=0
+    for project in "${stale_projects[@]}"; do
+        local short_path
+        short_path=$(shorten_path "$project")
+
+        if [[ "$ANALYZE_MODE" == true ]]; then
+            add_analyze_item "Projects" "node_modules in ${short_path} (inactive ${stale_days[$i]}d)" "${stale_sizes[$i]}"
+        else
+            echo "  ${short_path} (inactive ${stale_days[$i]} days, ${stale_sizes[$i]})"
+        fi
+        i=$((i + 1))
+    done
+
+    [[ "$ANALYZE_MODE" == true ]] && return 0
+
+    echo ""
+
+    # Dry-run
+    if [[ "$DRY_RUN" == true ]]; then
+        log_info "[DRY-RUN] Would remove node_modules from $total_count project(s) ($total_size_human total)"
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    # Confirm before bulk delete
+    if ! confirm_action "Remove node_modules from $total_count project(s) ($total_size_human total)?"; then
+        log_info "Stale node_modules cleanup skipped"
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    # Delete
+    for project in "${stale_projects[@]}"; do
+        local short_path
+        short_path=$(shorten_path "$project")
+        safe_rm "${project}/node_modules" "node_modules in ${short_path}"
+    done
+
+    log_success "Stale node_modules cleaned ($total_size_human freed)"
+}
+
+# ============================================================
+# ENTRY POINT
+# ============================================================
+
+# Usage: project_cleanup_clean
+# Returns: 0 on success
+project_cleanup_clean() {
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+}
diff --git a/src/utils/config.sh b/src/utils/config.sh
index 4074f87..d826db5 100644
--- a/src/utils/config.sh
+++ b/src/utils/config.sh
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@ readonly NPM_CACHE_PATH="${HOME}/.npm/_cacache"
 readonly NVM_CACHE_PATH="${HOME}/.nvm/.cache"
 readonly SDKMAN_TMP_PATH="${HOME}/.sdkman/tmp"
 
+# Stale node_modules scanning (search rooted at HOME)
+readonly NODE_MODULES_STALE_DAYS=90
+readonly NODE_MODULES_MAX_DEPTH=6
+
 readonly CHROME_AI_MODEL_PATH="${HOME}/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/OptGuideOnDeviceModel"
 
 readonly SYSTEM_LOG_PATH="/private/var/log"
diff --git a/tests/unit/project_cleanup_test.sh b/tests/unit/project_cleanup_test.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..780376b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/project_cleanup_test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# project_cleanup_test.sh - Tests for stale node_modules cleanup module
+
+# Get project root
+TEST_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PROJECT_ROOT="$(cd "$TEST_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+
+# Source dependencies
+source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/utils/config.sh"
+source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/utils/common.sh"
+source "$PROJECT_ROOT/src/modules/project_cleanup.sh"
+
+# ============================================================
+# SETUP AND TEARDOWN
+# ============================================================
+
+ORIGINAL_HOME=""
+
+function set_up() {
+    DRY_RUN=true
+    VERBOSE=false
+    FORCE=true
+    ANALYZE_MODE=false
+    ANALYZE_ITEMS=()
+    TOTAL_SPACE_FREED_KB=0
+
+    TEST_TEMP_DIR="$(mktemp -d)"
+    ORIGINAL_HOME="$HOME"
+}
+
+function tear_down() {
+    HOME="$ORIGINAL_HOME"
+    if [[ -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" ]]; then
+        rm -rf "$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    fi
+}
+
+# ============================================================
+# HELPER: create a project with node_modules and control timestamps
+# Args: $1=base_dir $2=project_name $3=timestamp (touch -t format, empty = now)
+# ============================================================
+
+create_project() {
+    local base="$1"
+    local name="$2"
+    local ts="$3"  # e.g. "202507010000" or empty for current time
+
+    local dir="$base/$name"
+    mkdir -p "$dir/node_modules/some-pkg"
+    echo '{"name":"some-pkg"}' > "$dir/node_modules/some-pkg/package.json"
+    echo '{"name":"'"$name"'"}' > "$dir/package.json"
+    echo "console.log('hi')" > "$dir/index.js"
+
+    if [[ -n "$ts" ]]; then
+        touch -t "$ts" "$dir/package.json" "$dir/index.js"
+    fi
+}
+
+# ============================================================
+# HELPER FUNCTION TESTS
+# ============================================================
+
+function test_is_project_inactive_detects_stale_project() {
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/stale"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir"
+    echo "x" > "$project_dir/index.js"
+    # Jul 2025 \u2192 well over 90 days ago from 2026-02-05
+    touch -t 202507010000 "$project_dir/index.js"
+
+    is_project_inactive "$project_dir"
+    assert_successful_code "$?"
+}
+
+function test_is_project_inactive_skips_active_project() {
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/active"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir"
+    echo "x" > "$project_dir/index.js"
+    # Default timestamp = now \u2192 active
+
+    is_project_inactive "$project_dir"
+    local result=$?
+
+    if [[ "$result" -eq 0 ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Active project should not be detected as inactive"
+    fi
+}
+
+function test_is_project_inactive_ignores_node_modules_timestamps() {
+    # Project source files are old, but node_modules has a recent file.
+    # The recent file inside node_modules must NOT count as activity.
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/nm-ignore"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir/node_modules"
+    echo "x" > "$project_dir/index.js"
+    touch -t 202507010000 "$project_dir/index.js"
+    # Recent file inside node_modules \u2014 should be ignored
+    echo "y" > "$project_dir/node_modules/recent.txt"
+
+    is_project_inactive "$project_dir"
+    assert_successful_code "$?"
+}
+
+function test_is_project_inactive_ignores_git_timestamps() {
+    # .git directory has recent files but source is old
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/git-ignore"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir/.git"
+    echo "x" > "$project_dir/index.js"
+    touch -t 202507010000 "$project_dir/index.js"
+    echo "y" > "$project_dir/.git/HEAD"
+
+    is_project_inactive "$project_dir"
+    assert_successful_code "$?"
+}
+
+function test_get_project_inactive_days_returns_positive_number() {
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/days-calc"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir"
+    echo "x" > "$project_dir/README.md"
+    touch -t 202507010000 "$project_dir/README.md"
+
+    local days
+    days=$(get_project_inactive_days "$project_dir")
+
+    # Jul 2025 to Feb 2026 > 200 days
+    if [[ "$days" -lt 200 ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Expected >200 inactive days, got $days"
+    fi
+}
+
+function test_get_project_inactive_days_returns_9999_for_empty_project() {
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/no-source"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir/node_modules"
+    # No source files at all
+
+    local days
+    days=$(get_project_inactive_days "$project_dir")
+
+    assert_equals 9999 "$days"
+}
+
+# ============================================================
+# SCAN & CLEANUP TESTS (override HOME \u2192 temp dir)
+# ============================================================
+
+function test_dry_run_preserves_stale_node_modules() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "old-app" "202507010000"
+
+    DRY_RUN=true
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    if [[ ! -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/old-app/node_modules" ]]; then
+        assert_fail "node_modules was deleted in dry-run mode"
+    fi
+}
+
+function test_analyze_mode_registers_stale_projects() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "analyze-app" "202507010000"
+
+    ANALYZE_MODE=true
+    ANALYZE_ITEMS=()
+
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    local found=false
+    for item in "${ANALYZE_ITEMS[@]:-}"; do
+        if [[ "$item" == *"node_modules"* ]]; then
+            found=true
+            break
+        fi
+    done
+    assert_true "$found" "Stale project should be registered in ANALYZE_ITEMS"
+}
+
+function test_skips_empty_node_modules() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+
+    local project_dir="$TEST_TEMP_DIR/empty-nm"
+    mkdir -p "$project_dir/node_modules"   # empty dir
+    echo "x" > "$project_dir/package.json"
+    touch -t 202507010000 "$project_dir/package.json"
+
+    ANALYZE_MODE=true
+    ANALYZE_ITEMS=()
+
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    # Nothing should be registered \u2014 node_modules is empty
+    if [[ ${#ANALYZE_ITEMS[@]} -gt 0 ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Empty node_modules should not be reported"
+    fi
+}
+
+function test_active_project_node_modules_not_removed() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    # Active project: source files have current timestamps
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "active-app" ""
+
+    DRY_RUN=false
+    FORCE=true
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    if [[ ! -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/active-app/node_modules" ]]; then
+        assert_fail "node_modules was removed from an active project"
+    fi
+}
+
+function test_handles_no_projects_gracefully() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    # Empty temp dir \u2014 nothing to find
+
+    DRY_RUN=true
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+    assert_successful_code "$?"
+}
+
+function test_removes_stale_node_modules_when_confirmed() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "confirmed-app" "202507010000"
+
+    DRY_RUN=false
+    FORCE=true   # auto-confirms
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    if [[ -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/confirmed-app/node_modules" ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Stale node_modules should have been removed"
+    fi
+
+    # Project root must survive \u2014 only node_modules deleted
+    if [[ ! -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/confirmed-app" ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Project root directory should not be deleted"
+    fi
+}
+
+function test_multiple_stale_projects_all_cleaned() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "proj-a" "202507010000"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "proj-b" "202506010000"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "proj-c" "202504010000"
+
+    DRY_RUN=false
+    FORCE=true
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    local all_gone=true
+    for p in proj-a proj-b proj-c; do
+        if [[ -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/$p/node_modules" ]]; then
+            all_gone=false
+        fi
+    done
+
+    assert_true "$all_gone" "All stale node_modules should be removed"
+}
+
+function test_mixed_active_and_stale_only_stale_removed() {
+    HOME="$TEST_TEMP_DIR"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "stale-mix" "202507010000"
+    create_project "$TEST_TEMP_DIR" "active-mix" ""   # current timestamps
+
+    DRY_RUN=false
+    FORCE=true
+    cleanup_stale_node_modules
+
+    # Stale must be gone
+    if [[ -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/stale-mix/node_modules" ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Stale project node_modules should be removed"
+    fi
+
+    # Active must survive
+    if [[ ! -d "$TEST_TEMP_DIR/active-mix/node_modules" ]]; then
+        assert_fail "Active project node_modules should not be removed"
+    fi
+}