diff --git a/yama/src/debug.rs b/yama/src/debug.rs
index 3e5a375..4bd43a6 100644
--- a/yama/src/debug.rs
+++ b/yama/src/debug.rs
@@ -15,13 +15,12 @@ You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 along with Yama.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 */
 
-use crate::commands::{fully_integrate_pointer_node, retrieve_tree_node, store_tree_node};
+use crate::commands::retrieve_tree_node;
 use crate::definitions::{FilesystemOwnership, FilesystemPermissions, TreeNode};
+use crate::operations::remove_pointer_safely;
 use crate::pile::{Pile, PileDescriptor, RawPile};
-use crate::tree::integrate_node_in_place;
 use anyhow::anyhow;
 use clap::Parser;
-use log::info;
 use rustyline::error::ReadlineError;
 use rustyline::Editor;
 
@@ -123,50 +122,7 @@ pub fn debug_command<RP: RawPile>(
             }
         }
         DebugCommand::DeletePointer { name } => {
-            // retrieve this pointer
-            let mut this_pointer = pile.read_pointer(name.as_str())?.ok_or_else(|| {
-                anyhow!("Pointer {:?} does not exist so can not be deleted.", name)
-            })?;
-            let mut this_node = retrieve_tree_node(&pile, this_pointer.chunk_ref.clone())?;
-
-            // fully integrate the pointer
-            fully_integrate_pointer_node(&pile, &mut this_node.node, &mut this_pointer)?;
-            assert!(this_pointer.parent_pointer.is_none());
-
-            // now integrate any pointers that rely on this one
-            // so that they no longer rely on this one.
-            for pointer in pile.list_pointers()?.iter() {
-                if pointer == name {
-                    continue;
-                }
-                if let Some(mut pointer_data) = pile.read_pointer(pointer.as_str())? {
-                    if let Some(parent_pointer) = pointer_data.parent_pointer.as_ref() {
-                        if parent_pointer == name {
-                            info!("Pointer would be an orphan: {:?}; integrating", pointer);
-
-                            // need to integrate this node, so retrieve it
-                            let mut node = retrieve_tree_node(&pile, pointer_data.chunk_ref)?;
-
-                            // integrate it in-place
-                            integrate_node_in_place(&mut node.node, &this_node.node)?;
-
-                            // mark it as orphaned (no parent)
-                            pointer_data.parent_pointer = None;
-
-                            // store the orphaned node
-                            let new_chunk_ref = store_tree_node(&pile, &node)?;
-                            // associate the orphaned node with the orphaned pointer
-                            pointer_data.chunk_ref = new_chunk_ref;
-                            // write the pointer back.
-                            pile.write_pointer(pointer.as_str(), &pointer_data)?;
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-
-            // then delete the pointer
-            pile.delete_pointer(name)?;
-            info!("Deleted pointer: {:?}", name);
+            remove_pointer_safely(pile, name)?;
         }
         DebugCommand::PointerInfo { name } => {
             let this_pointer = pile