What’s in ~/Library/Caches? Every folder, explained

This stores temporary data for the Arc or Dia web browser. Deleting it is safe but the browser may reload some website data more slowly on next launch.

Folder: company.thebrowser.browser.helper, company.thebrowser.dia, Dia, company.thebrowser.Browser

Temporary browsing data stored by the Brave browser. Deleting it is safe but websites may load a little slower until Brave rebuilds the cache.

Folder: com.brave.Browser, Brave

Temporary browsing data stored by Firefox. Deleting it is safe but websites may load a little slower until Firefox rebuilds the cache.

Folder: org.mozilla.firefox, Firefox

Google Chrome's temporary browsing data, such as website caches and previews. Websites may load a little slower until Chrome rebuilds it.

Folder: com.google.Chrome, Google, Chrome

How to clear the Google Chrome cache

A leftover Chromium framework no running process uses. Quit and relaunch the browser to clean a version it still runs from; relaunching also removes old ones.

Folder: stale-browser-framework

Temporary browsing data stored by Opera. Deleting it is safe but websites may load a little slower until Opera rebuilds the cache.

Folder: com.operasoftware.Opera, Opera

Safari's temporary browsing data, such as website previews and recent page data. Websites may load a little slower until it rebuilds.

Folder: com.apple.Safari, com.apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing

This stores temporary data for the Zen web browser. Deleting it is safe but the browser may reload some website data more slowly on next launch.

Folder: zen

Temporary files and message previews stored by Apple Mail. No mail is deleted, but Mail re-indexes afterwards and search can be incomplete until it finishes.

Folder: com.apple.mail, Mail

Cached media previews from messaging apps. Not your message history; apps re-fetch media as needed.

Folder: ChatMedia

Temporary files stored by Discord. Safe to delete and Discord will rebuild them automatically when you next open it.

Folder: com.hnc.Discord, Discord

Cached link preview thumbnails from messaging apps. Regenerated automatically when you open conversations.

Folder: LinkThumbnail

Attachments you opened from Mail; the originals stay in Mail. Edits you made to one and never saved elsewhere exist only here. Held back while Mail is open.

Folder: Mail Downloads

Previews of photos, videos and links in Messages, made again as you scroll a conversation. Your messages and attachments are not touched.

Folder: Messages Previews

Temporary files stored by Slack including message thumbnails and previews. Safe to delete and Slack will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap, Slack

How to clear the Slack cache

Temporary files stored by Telegram including media previews. Safe to delete and Telegram will reload them as needed.

Folder: ru.keepcoder.Telegram, Telegram

How to clear the Telegram cache

Telegram stores auto-downloaded photos, videos and files here. It re-downloads them from the cloud as needed, but secret-chat media may exist only on this Mac.

Folder: Telegram Media Cache

Temporary files stored by WhatsApp on your Mac. Safe to delete and WhatsApp will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: net.whatsapp.WhatsApp, WhatsApp

This is temporary data used by FaceTime and other Apple video calling features. It is safe to delete and will be recreated as needed.

Folder: com.apple.VideoConference

Temporary files stored by Loom. Safe to delete and Loom will recreate them automatically.

Folder: com.loom.desktop, Loom

Temporary files stored by Microsoft Teams. Safe to delete and Teams will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.microsoft.teams2, Teams, Microsoft Teams

How to clear the Microsoft Teams cache

Temporary files stored by Zoom. Safe to delete and Zoom will recreate them automatically.

Folder: us.zoom.xos, Zoom

How to clear the Zoom cache

The index Adobe apps use to track their media cache files. It rebuilds alongside the cache.

Folder: Adobe Media Cache

Rendered previews and conformed audio from Premiere Pro and After Effects. The apps rebuild them on next launch, which can take minutes on large projects.

Folder: Adobe Media Cache Files

Videos for the macOS aerial wallpapers and screen savers, often several GB. Nothing is lost, but the ones you use, and maybe others, download again.

Folder: Aerial Wallpaper Videos

Temporary data for the App Store, Apple TV and Apple Music. Safe to delete; these services rebuild it as needed.

Folder: com.apple.AppleMediaServices

Temporary files stored by the Apple Music app. Nothing is lost, but artwork and library data are rebuilt as you use the app.

Folder: com.apple.Music, Music

Temporary data for your Apple Music library. Nothing is lost, but Apple Music may take a while to rebuild your library view.

Folder: com.apple.AMPLibraryAgent

Render cache and optimized media DaVinci Resolve keeps in your Movies folder. Resolve renders it again as you work, which takes time on large projects.

Folder: CacheClip

Rendered frames EffectCraft keeps so effects preview without rendering again. Safe to delete; EffectCraft renders them again when you open a project.

Folder: EffectCraft, ai.storyteller.effectcraft

Temporary data from iTunes and Apple Music, including artwork and media previews. Nothing is lost, but artwork is re-downloaded as you browse.

Folder: com.apple.iTunes, com.apple.itunescloudd

Temporary files stored by ScreenFlow. Safe to delete and ScreenFlow will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: net.telestream.screenflow, ScreenFlow

This stores temporary data downloaded by Shazam to help identify music. It is completely safe to delete and Shazam will re-download what it needs.

Folder: com.apple.shazamlibrary.cloud

Songs and artwork Spotify saved while you listened. It saves them again as you play. Only shown when nothing is downloaded for offline listening.

Folder: com.spotify.client, Spotify

How to clear the Spotify cache

Raw previews that Photoshop, Lightroom and Bridge cache here. They rebuild automatically when you open images again.

Folder: Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe Camera Raw 2

Thumbnails and previews from Apple Photos. No photos are deleted, but Photos makes every thumbnail again, which takes a long time on a large library.

Folder: com.apple.Photos, Photos

Temporary files stored by CleanShot X. Safe to delete and CleanShot will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: pl.maketheweb.cleanshotx, CleanShot

Saved image previews and thumbnails that speed up display in apps. Safe to delete; images load a little slower until the previews rebuild.

Folder: ImageCache

Temporary files created by macOS's built-in screenshot tool. Safe to delete.

Folder: com.apple.screencaptureui, Screenshot

Temporary files stored by Xnapper, a screenshot tool. Safe to delete and Xnapper will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.xnapper.xnapper, Xnapper

Temporary files stored by Affinity Designer. Safe to delete and Affinity will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.seriflabs.affinitydesigner2, Affinity Designer

Temporary files stored by Affinity Photo. Safe to delete and Affinity will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.seriflabs.affinityphoto2, Affinity Photo

Temporary files Blender saves while you work. Safe to delete; Blender may take a little longer to start the next time you open it.

Folder: Blender, org.blenderfoundation.blender

Temporary files stored by the Figma design app. Safe to delete and Figma will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.figma.Desktop, Figma

How to clear the Figma cache

This stores temporary data for Figma's background helper that enables font access and desktop features. It is safe to delete.

Folder: com.figma.agent

Temporary files stored by the Sketch design app. Safe to delete and Sketch will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.bohemiancoding.sketch3, Sketch

Temporary data for the macOS Dictionary and Look Up. Safe to delete; it is rebuilt the next time you look up a word.

Folder: com.apple.DictionaryServices

Temporary files stored by the Grammarly writing assistant. Safe to delete and Grammarly will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.grammarly.ProjectLlama, Grammarly

Temporary files stored by the Linear project management app. Safe to delete and Linear will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.linear, Linear

This stores temporary data for the built-in macOS Help viewer. It is safe to delete and the Help system will rebuild it when next opened.

Folder: com.apple.helpd

This stores temporary data for the Tips app that shows you helpful macOS features. It is completely safe to delete.

Folder: com.apple.tipsd

Temporary files stored by Microsoft Excel. Safe to delete and Excel will recreate them automatically.

Folder: com.microsoft.Excel, Microsoft Excel

Temporary files stored by Microsoft Word. Safe to delete and Word will recreate them automatically.

Folder: com.microsoft.Word, Microsoft Word

Temporary files stored by the Notion app. Safe to delete and Notion will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: notion.id, Notion

How to clear the Notion cache

This is temporary data used by the Reminders app in the background. Deleting it is safe but the Reminders app may need a moment to reload when next opened.

Folder: com.apple.remindd

This stores temporary data used by macOS's built-in translation feature. It is safe to delete and the translation service will rebuild it as needed.

Folder: com.apple.translationd

Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Parallels downloads that stopped and have not changed in over a week. The app may still resume one, so check before deleting.

Folder: Unfinished Downloads

Temporary files stored by the ChatGPT desktop app. Safe to delete and the app will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.openai.chat, ChatGPT

Temporary files stored by the Claude AI desktop app. Safe to delete and Claude will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.anthropic.claudefordesktop, Claude

Logs that Claude Code writes for its MCP servers, one folder per project. Safe to delete; new logs are written as you use it.

Folder: claude-cli-nodejs

Temporary files stored by the Granola AI meeting notes app. Safe to delete and Granola will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.granola.app, Granola

Temporary data stored by Ollama, a tool for running AI models locally. Deleting it is safe but Ollama may need to reload model data next time it runs.

Folder: com.ollama.Ollama, Ollama

Page and script caches of the Codex app and command line tool, rebuilt as you use it. Your sessions and sign-in in ~/.codex are left alone.

Folder: com.openai.codex, Codex

This folder holds temporary data for Siri on your Mac. Deleting it is completely safe and Siri will rebuild it automatically.

Folder: com.apple.assistantd, com.apple.AssistantServices

Apple's on-device intelligence that powers Siri Suggestions and app predictions. Deleting it resets what it has learned about how you use your Mac.

Folder: com.apple.duetexpertd

Used by a background Apple service that helps Siri and Spotlight understand natural language. Safe to delete; it is rebuilt automatically.

Folder: com.apple.parsecd

This is what Siri Suggestions has learned about your habits and routines. Deleting it resets those personalised suggestions until Siri learns them again.

Folder: com.apple.proactive.eventtracker

This stores temporary voice and speech data used by Siri to speak responses. It is safe to delete and Siri will rebuild it automatically.

Folder: com.apple.sirittsd, SiriTTS

This stores temporary data for the Spokenly app. It is safe to delete and will be recreated when the app is next used.

Folder: app.spokenly, app.spokenly.revenuecat

Used by the service that syncs your contacts and calendars. Nothing is lost, but your Mac downloads them again and they may be missing briefly.

Folder: com.apple.dataaccess.dataaccessd

Temporary sync data stored by Dropbox. Your files are safe, but Dropbox re-verifies your whole synced folder afterwards, which can take a while.

Folder: com.dropbox.DropboxMacFileHelper, Dropbox

How to clear the Dropbox cache

Temporary sync data stored by Google Drive. Your files are safe, but Drive will re-check your synced content afterwards and may re-download parts of it.

Folder: com.google.GoogleDrive, Google Drive

This is used by the background service that handles iCloud data on your Mac. Nothing is lost from iCloud, but your Mac will need to re-sync afterwards.

Folder: com.apple.cloudd

Data your Mac uses to sync with iCloud. Nothing is lost from iCloud, but apps must sync again afterwards, which can take time on a slow connection.

Folder: CloudKit

Used by the service that keeps iCloud Drive in sync. Nothing is lost from iCloud, but your Mac re-checks and re-downloads file state afterwards.

Folder: com.apple.bird

Temporary data for iCloud notifications. It is rebuilt automatically, but iCloud notifications can be delayed until it is.

Folder: com.apple.iCloudNotificationAgent

Temporary sync data stored by OneDrive. Your files are safe, but OneDrive will re-verify your synced folder afterwards, which can take a while.

Folder: com.microsoft.OneDrive, OneDrive

This supports the App Store's sign-in and account system. Deleting it can prompt you to sign in to the App Store again.

Folder: com.apple.amsaccountsd

Data for the ads Apple shows in the App Store. Safe to delete; it is downloaded again when needed.

Folder: com.apple.ap.PromotedContentJetService

This contains temporary files used by the App Store to manage downloads and updates in the background. It is safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: com.apple.appstoreagent

Cached App Store update deltas. macOS re-downloads them on the next app update.

Folder: AppInstallationBinaryDeltas

This is used by a background service that helps the App Store manage files on your Mac. It is safe to delete.

Folder: com.apple.FileProviderDaemon.AppStoreService

This is a temporary folder used by Apple's App Store services to migrate account or media data. It is safe to delete.

Folder: AMSDataMigratorTool

This folder stores temporary data related to App Store recommendations and notifications. It is completely safe to delete and will be rebuilt automatically.

Folder: com.apple.amsengagementd

Temporary data for in-app purchases and App Store transactions. Nothing is lost, but apps may ask you to restore purchases or sign in again.

Folder: com.apple.storekitagent

This is used by a background service that helps distribute and manage apps, typically in business or school environments. It is safe to delete.

Folder: com.apple.managedappdistributionagent

This stores temporary data for RevenueCat, a tool that apps use to manage in-app subscriptions and purchases. It is safe to delete.

Folder: RevenueCat, RevenueCatFonts

Update packages Electron apps downloaded to install a new version, left behind once installed. Each app downloads its next update when one comes out.

Folder: Electron Updater Downloads

Temporary files from Squirrel-based app updaters (ShipIt folders). Recreated when apps check for updates.

Folder: ShipIt

This is temporary data used by Apple's software update system. It is safe to delete and will be recreated when your Mac next checks for updates.

Folder: ssu

These are temporary files used to update the Claude AI desktop app. They are recreated automatically each time Claude checks for updates.

Folder: com.anthropic.claudefordesktop.ShipIt

These are temporary files used to update the Microsoft Edge browser. They are safe to delete and will be recreated when Edge next checks for updates.

Folder: com.microsoft.EdgeUpdater

Temporary files Google's updater uses to keep apps like Chrome up to date. They are created again at the next update check.

Folder: com.google.antigravity.ShipIt, com.google.GoogleUpdater, google-sdks-events

This holds temporary files used by Microsoft AutoUpdate to keep apps like Word and Excel up to date. It is safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: com.microsoft.autoupdate.fba

These are temporary files used to update the Perplexity AI app. They are regenerated automatically whenever Perplexity checks for a new version.

Folder: ai.perplexity.CometUpdater, Comet, CometUpdater

This stores temporary files used by apps built with ToDesktop to deliver updates. It is safe to delete.

Folder: com.todesktop.230313mzl4w4u92.ShipIt

This stores temporary data for Apple's Game Center, which manages game scores and achievements. It is safe to delete and will be rebuilt automatically.

Folder: com.apple.gamed

This stores temporary data for Apple's gaming framework used by game apps. It is safe to delete and will be rebuilt when a game app is next opened.

Folder: GameKit

Temporary data stored by 1Password. Your vaults are safe, but 1Password may need to re-sync and ask you to unlock again.

Folder: com.1password.1password, 1Password 7, 1Password 8

Temporary files stored by the Alfred productivity launcher. Safe to delete and Alfred will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred, Alfred

Temporary files stored by Bartender, a menu bar organiser. Safe to delete and Bartender will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.surteesstudios.Bartender, Bartender

Temporary files stored by CleanMyMac itself. Safe to delete and CleanMyMac will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.macpaw.CleanMyMac4, CleanMyMac

Temporary files stored by Lungo, an app that keeps your Mac awake. Safe to delete.

Folder: com.sindresorhus.Lungo, Lungo

This stores temporary data for Raycast, a productivity launcher app. It is safe to delete and Raycast will rebuild it automatically.

Folder: com.raycast.macos

Used by the macOS service that manages each app's private storage. Usually safe to delete, but some apps may need to set their storage up again.

Folder: com.apple.containermanagerd

This supports the system service that manages your Apple ID and connected accounts. Deleting it can sign accounts out and ask you to sign in again.

Folder: com.apple.accountsd

This is temporary data used by Apple's privacy-focused advertising system. Deleting it is safe and has no effect on your apps or personal data.

Folder: com.apple.ap.adprivacyd

This is temporary data related to Apple's beta software programme. It is safe to delete and will be recreated if you are enrolled in the beta programme.

Folder: com.apple.betaenrollmentagent

This holds temporary data for Apple's business and organisation account features. It is safe to delete and will be regenerated automatically.

Folder: com.apple.businessservicesd

Temporary data for the Home app and your connected smart home devices. Nothing is unpaired, but the Home app may be slow or incomplete until it re-syncs.

Folder: com.apple.homed, com.apple.HomeKit

This is used by the service that manages your Apple ID on your Mac. Deleting it can prompt you to sign in to your Apple ID again.

Folder: com.apple.appleaccountd

This is used by the Apple background service that handles authentication and security keys. Deleting it can prompt you to re-authenticate.

Folder: com.apple.akd

Map tiles and location data stored by Apple Maps. Nothing is lost, but tiles download again as you use Maps, and offline maps need downloading again.

Folder: com.apple.Maps, Maps

Map tiles and place data that Apple Maps has downloaded. Nothing is lost, but Maps downloads them again as you browse, which is slower and uses data.

Folder: GeoServices

Compiled machine learning models that macOS features such as Photos and Live Text use. macOS compiles them again when needed, using some processor time.

Folder: com.apple.e5rt.e5bundlecache

Temporary data for passes in Apple Wallet, such as boarding passes and loyalty cards. Safe to delete, but Wallet may need to re-sync them.

Folder: com.apple.passd, PassKit

This holds state for apps that download content in the background. Deleting it can interrupt downloads in progress, which then have to start over.

Folder: com.apple.nsurlsessiond

This is a temporary folder used by a macOS service that categorises content for features like Screen Time and parental controls. It is safe to delete.

Folder: com.apple.ctcategories.service

Temporary data for Family Sharing. Nothing is lost, but family and sharing settings may take a moment to re-sync.

Folder: FamilyCircle

This temporary folder helps macOS manage which features and capabilities apps are allowed to use. It is safe to delete and will be rebuilt automatically.

Folder: com.apple.FeatureAccessAgent

Temporary data used by Find My to track your Apple devices. Nothing is lost, but device locations may take a while to reappear.

Folder: com.apple.findmy.fmipcore

This is temporary data for your Mac's Focus and Do Not Disturb settings. It is safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: com.apple.donotdisturbd

Install files a finished macOS update left behind, counted as System Data. Only shown when older than the installed macOS, so a waiting update never is.

Folder: macOS Install Data

A full macOS installer, usually 12 to 15 GB. macOS does not need it after installing, and the App Store has it. Keep it to make a bootable USB installer.

Folder: macOS Installer

Temporary files used by macOS to cache network responses and speed up connections. Safe to delete and will be rebuilt automatically.

Folder: NetworkCache, com.apple.networkserviceproxy

Used by NT-ware's SmartClient, a print management tool common in offices and universities. Usually safe to delete, but the client may set itself up again.

Folder: com.nt-ware.SmartClient

The data Screen Time uses to track app usage. Deleting it clears usage history and reports, and they do not come back.

Folder: com.apple.ScreenTimeAgent, ScreenTime

This supports the 'Sign in with Apple' feature used by apps and websites. Deleting it can sign you out and require signing in again.

Folder: com.apple.AuthenticationServicesCore.AuthenticationServicesAgent

Spotlight index profile data. Nothing is lost, but Spotlight rebuilds it afterwards and search can be slower or incomplete in the meantime.

The index Spotlight uses to search your Mac. Nothing is lost, but search is slow or incomplete until macOS rebuilds the index, which can take a while.

Folder: com.apple.Spotlight

This is a folder used by macOS itself to manage and clean up other temporary files. It is safe to delete.

Folder: com.apple.cache_delete

Saved snapshots of your desktop and Notification Center widgets. Safe to delete; widgets draw themselves again and may look blank for a moment until they do.

Folder: com.apple.chrono

This stores temporary logs that are sent to Apple as diagnostic feedback. Deleting it is completely safe.

Folder: com.apple.feedbacklogger

This stores temporary data that Apple uses for anonymous usage analytics. Deleting it is completely safe and causes no issues.

Folder: com.apple.CloudTelemetry

Log files created by apps to record what they are doing. Safe to delete. Apps will create new log files automatically.

Folder: Logs, applogs

Records of app crashes saved by macOS. Safe to delete. These are only useful if you are reporting a bug to an app developer.

Folder: DiagnosticReports, crashreports

This stores temporary data for Datadog, a developer monitoring and analytics tool. It is safe to delete and will be recreated if Datadog is running.

Folder: com.datadoghq

This is temporary data used by Apple's location analytics system. Deleting it is completely safe and has no effect on Maps or other apps.

Folder: com.apple.geoanalyticsd

This stores temporary data for Segment, a tool developers use to collect usage analytics. It is safe to delete.

Folder: segment

This stores temporary error and crash reports collected by Sentry, a tool used by developers to track app issues. It is safe to delete.

Folder: io.sentry, SentryCrash

iPhone, iPad or iPod updates Finder downloaded to update or restore a device, often 5 to 8 GB each. Finder downloads the current one again when needed.

Folder: Device Software Updates

Temporary files stored by Android Studio. Safe to delete and Android Studio will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.google.android.studio, Android Studio, AndroidStudio

Compiled files for the Python that comes with the macOS developer tools. Safe to delete; Python recreates them when it next runs.

Folder: com.apple.python

Temporary files stored by the Cursor code editor. Safe to delete and will be recreated when you open Cursor again.

Folder: Cursor

Compiled code that Cursor saves so it starts faster. Safe to delete; Cursor rebuilds it the next time it opens.

Folder: cursor-compile-cache

Temporary files stored by apps built with Electron like Slack, Discord, and Notion. Safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: electron, Code Cache

Temporary files stored by Fork, a Git client for Mac. Safe to delete and Fork will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.DanPristupov.Fork, Fork

Temporary files stored by Insomnia, an API testing tool. Safe to delete and Insomnia will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.insomnia.app, Insomnia

Native libraries that Java apps unpack here when they start. Safe to delete; they are unpacked again on the next launch.

Folder: JNA

Indexes and caches JetBrains IDEs rebuild on their own. Local History is left alone. Each project re-indexes when you next open it, which takes a few minutes.

Folder: JetBrains, JetPackCache

Temporary files stored by Postico, a PostgreSQL database app. Safe to delete and Postico will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: at.eggerapps.Postico, Postico

Temporary files stored by Proxyman, a network debugging tool. Safe to delete and Proxyman will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.proxyman.NSProxy, Proxyman

Temporary files stored by Paw or RapidAPI, API development tools. Safe to delete and they will be rebuilt when you next open the app.

Folder: com.luckymarmot.Paw, Paw, RapidAPI

Temporary files stored by Sourcetree, a Git client. Safe to delete and Sourcetree will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.torusknot.SourceTreeNotMAS, SourceTree

Temporary files stored by TablePlus, a database management app. Safe to delete and TablePlus will rebuild them when you next open it.

Folder: com.tinyapp.TablePlus, TablePlus

Temporary files stored by Tower, a Git client for Mac. Safe to delete and Tower will rebuild them automatically.

Folder: com.fournova.Tower3, Tower

Type definitions your editor downloaded so plain JavaScript files get autocomplete. Safe to delete; the editor downloads them again as needed.

Folder: typescript

Temporary files stored by Visual Studio Code. Safe to delete and will be recreated when you open VS Code again.

Folder: Code, CachedData, CachedExtensionVSIXs

How to clear the VS Code cache

Temporary files stored by Xcode, Apple's developer tool. Safe to delete and Xcode will rebuild them the next time it runs.

Folder: com.apple.dt.Xcode, Xcode

Temporary files stored by the Zed code editor. Safe to delete and will be recreated when you open Zed again.

Folder: zed, Zed

Temporary files stored by the Ghostty terminal app. Safe to delete and will be recreated when you next open Ghostty.

Folder: com.mitchellh.ghostty, Ghostty

Temporary files stored by the iTerm2 terminal app. Safe to delete and iTerm2 will recreate them automatically.

Folder: com.googlecode.iterm2, iTerm2, iTerm

Temporary files stored by the Warp terminal app. Safe to delete and Warp will recreate them automatically.

Folder: dev.warp.Warp-Stable, Warp

Temporary files created by your terminal shell. Safe to delete and will be recreated automatically when you open a new terminal window.

Folder: zsh_sessions, .zsh_sessions, zcompdump

Node.js header files that node-gyp downloads to build native add-ons. Safe to delete; it downloads them again on the next native build.

Folder: node-gyp

Page and script caches of the browser Antigravity uses for web tasks, filled again as it loads pages. Sign-ins, history and extensions are left alone.

Hermes agent downloads and scratch space in ~/.hermes/cache. Clean it while Hermes is idle, since a running task may use it. Settings, keys and sessions stay.

Earlier versions of Claude Code or Cursor Agent that stayed behind after updates. The version you run and the newest one are kept. Safe to delete.

Log files written by npm commands. Safe to delete with no effect on installed packages.

Folder: npm-logs, _logs

Build caches in ~/.android that the next build recreates. Emulators, the key your phones trust for debugging, and your debug signing key are left alone.

Temporary files created by the iOS Simulator while testing apps. Safe to delete and the Simulator will recreate them when next launched.

Folder: com.apple.iphonesimulator, Simulator

Virtual iPhone and iPad devices Xcode tests apps on. Deleting one also deletes its apps and data. Xcode can create a new one when you need it.

Folder: CoreSimulator, iossimulators

Shared caches the iOS Simulator builds for each runtime. It builds them again the next time a device starts, which makes that launch slower.

Folder: Simulator Caches

Temporary files Xcode uses to install and test apps on connected Apple devices. Safe to delete, but Xcode may download device support files again.

Folder: com.apple.dt.Xcode.ITunesSoftwareService

Files Xcode copies from an iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV or Vision Pro to debug on it. Nothing is lost; Xcode copies them again when you next connect it.

Folder: iOS DeviceSupport, watchOS DeviceSupport, tvOS DeviceSupport, xros DeviceSupport

Temporary simulator copies Xcode makes to run tests in parallel and sometimes leaves behind. Safe to delete when no tests are running.

Folder: Xcode Test Devices

Folders from Cursor temp workspaces and empty windows that are now closed.

Folder: cursor-agent-leftover

Analysis results the Dart and Flutter language server keeps in ~/.dartServer so projects open faster. Safe to delete; the analyzer rebuilds them.

Forgotten branch checkouts created by Git. Safe to remove if you are no longer working on those branches, but check first that you have no unsaved work.

Folder: worktrees, .git/worktrees

An older version of a Cursor extension superseded by a newer install. Safe to delete.

An older version of a VS Code extension superseded by a newer install. Safe to delete.

Saved state, including AI chats, for VS Code or Cursor projects whose folders no longer exist. If you moved or renamed a project, its chats are in here.

Agent checkouts Git no longer tracks. Look inside first for uncommitted work.

Folder: orphaned-git-worktree

Cached Apple developer documentation used by Xcode. Safe to delete; Xcode will re-download docs when you browse them again.

Folder: xcode-docs-cache, DocumentationCache

Completion and update-check files that Oh My Zsh keeps. Safe to delete; they are recreated when you open a new terminal window.

Packages downloaded by Bun, a JavaScript runtime and package manager. Safe to delete; they download again the next time you run bun install.

Folder: .bun, bun-install

Cached Ruby gems downloaded by Bundler. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you run bundle install.

Folder: bundler, .bundle

Haskell packages downloaded by Cabal. Nothing is lost, but your next build downloads and rebuilds them, which can take a long time.

Folder: Cabal Packages

Cached iOS and macOS library files downloaded by CocoaPods. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you run pod install.

Folder: CocoaPods, Pods, pod-cache

Spec repos CocoaPods uses to look up libraries. The public one comes back on your next pod install; private ones from pod repo add must be added again.

Cached PHP packages downloaded by Composer. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you run composer install.

Folder: composer, .composer

Packages conda unpacked to build your environments, which link to these files and keep working. Deleting frees less than shown; conda clean --all is safer.

Cached Node.js package manager shims managed by Corepack. Safe to delete; Corepack will restore them on the next use.

Folder: corepack-cache, corepack

The Cypress app that runs your end-to-end tests. Tests fail until you run npx cypress install, which downloads it again.

Folder: Cypress, cypress, cypress-cache

Dart and Flutter packages downloaded by pub; they download again on your next flutter pub get. Tools from dart pub global activate are left alone.

Folder: pub-cache, .pub-cache

Cached modules downloaded by Deno, a JavaScript and TypeScript runtime. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you next run a Deno project.

Folder: deno, deno/deps

All images, containers and volumes; some hold databases. To keep volumes, run docker --context desktop-linux system prune while Docker is open or quit Docker.

Folder: com.docker.docker

How to clear the Docker cache

Dependency source code downloaded by Mix for an Elixir or Erlang project. Safe to delete; it downloads again on the next build.

Folder: elixir-deps

App builds, templates and SDK data the Expo tools downloaded. Your Expo login is left alone. Safe to delete; Expo downloads what it needs again.

Cached files used when running GitHub Actions locally. Safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: act, github-actions

Cached Go packages and build outputs. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you build your Go projects again.

Folder: go/pkg/mod, go-build

Gradle's downloaded libraries, build cache and wrapper versions. Nothing is lost, but the next build downloads and rebuilds them, which is slow.

Folder: Gradle Dependency Cache

Downloaded Elixir and Erlang packages kept by Hex so repeat builds do not re-download them. Safe to delete and re-downloaded on your next build.

Folder: Hex Package Cache, .hex

Downloaded installation files for Homebrew packages. Safe to delete and Homebrew will simply re-download them if you reinstall any packages.

Folder: Homebrew, homebrew, homebrew-cache

How to clear the Homebrew cache

Java and Scala libraries downloaded by sbt and Ivy. Nothing is lost, but the next build downloads them all again, which is slow and needs a connection.

Folder: sbt, .ivy2

Maven's downloaded libraries and your own mvn install builds. Libraries download again on your next build; your own builds come back only if you rebuild them.

Folder: maven, .m2

Cached runtime versions managed by Mise (formerly rtx), a tool version manager. Safe to delete but Mise will need to re-download any tools you use next time.

Folder: mise, rtx

This is a temporary storage folder used by a developer tool that runs on your Mac. It is safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: checkpoint-nodejs

Code libraries installed for developer projects. Safe to remove for stale projects — run npm install to restore them anytime.

Folder: node_modules

Temporary packages downloaded when you run npx. Safe to delete; npx will download them again when needed.

Folder: npm-npx-cache, _npx

Cached packages downloaded by npm. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you run npm install.

Folder: npm-cache, npm

How to clear the npm cache

Downloaded .NET packages NuGet restores your projects from. Nothing is lost, but the next restore downloads them all again and needs a connection.

Folder: NuGet Packages

Node.js versions managed by nvm. Safe to delete unused versions — avoid removing versions your projects depend on.

Folder: .nvm, nvm

Package downloads opam keeps for OCaml. Installed packages are left alone. Safe to delete; opam downloads them again when needed.

Third-party PHP packages downloaded by Composer. Safe to delete and re-downloaded by composer install, which needs an internet connection.

Browsers Playwright downloaded for automated website testing. Your tests fail until you run npx playwright install, which downloads them again.

Folder: ms-playwright-go

The central package store used by pnpm to save disk space across projects. Safe to delete and packages will be re-downloaded when you run pnpm install.

Folder: pnpm-store, .pnpm-store, pnpm/store

Tool environments that pre-commit sets up to run your git hooks. Safe to delete; they are set up again on your next commit, which makes that commit slow.

Folder: pre-commit

This stores temporary files used by Prisma, a developer database tool. It is safe to delete and will be regenerated when Prisma is next used.

Folder: prisma-nodejs

Browsers Puppeteer downloaded for automated tests. Scripts fail until it is installed again with npm install or npx puppeteer browsers install.

Folder: puppeteer

Source downloads pyenv and rbenv keep after installing a Python or Ruby version. Installed versions are left alone. Safe to delete.

A Python environment with one project's packages. Recreate it by reinstalling from requirements.txt or pyproject.toml, which needs a connection.

Folder: venv, .venv

Downloaded packages and build plugins kept by Rebar3, the Erlang build tool. Safe to delete and re-downloaded on your next build.

Folder: Rebar3 Cache, rebar3

Downloaded .gem files and the spec index RubyGems keeps after installing. Your installed gems stay; RubyGems downloads these again when needed.

Folder: rubygems, .gem

Ruby gems installed into the project by Bundler. Safe to delete and reinstalled by bundle install, which needs an internet connection.

Cached Rust packages and compiled dependencies. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you build your Rust projects.

Folder: cargo, .cargo

Packages and prebuilt libraries Stack shares between Haskell projects. Settings and installed compilers stay. The next build downloads and rebuilds a lot.

Folder: Stack Cache

Package checkouts Swift Package Manager shares between projects. Safe to delete and re-downloaded on your next build.

Folder: Swift Package Cache

Swift packages downloaded for your projects. Each project downloads its dependencies again the next time you build it.

Folder: org.swift.swiftpm

Cached Terraform provider plugins. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you run terraform init.

Folder: terraform, .terraform.d

Provider plugins and modules Terraform downloads for a workspace. Safe to delete and re-downloaded by terraform init.

Folder: .terraform

Throwaway Python environments tox builds to run tests in. Safe to delete and rebuilt on your next tox run, which re-downloads packages.

Folder: .tox

Cached Python packages downloaded by uv, a fast Python package manager. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you next install packages.

Folder: uv, uv-cache, .uv

Virtual machine images used by Vagrant. Safe to delete if unused — re-downloading takes a while.

Folder: vagrant, .vagrant.d

Cached Node.js and package manager versions managed by Volta. Safe to delete and Volta will re-download versions as needed.

Folder: volta

Cached packages downloaded by Yarn. Safe to delete and will be re-downloaded when you run yarn install.

Folder: yarn-cache, yarn, berry

Compiled programs and libraries produced by a .NET build. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next dotnet build.

Temporary files .NET creates while compiling. Safe to delete and recreated on your next build.

Compiled Android app files. Safe to delete — your project will rebuild automatically next time.

Folder: build/intermediates, build/outputs, app/build

Build cache kept by the Angular CLI to make repeat builds faster. Safe to delete and rebuilt automatically.

Folder: .angular

Archived builds created by development tools. Check contents before deleting — may contain important project archives.

Temporary build files created by Astro. Safe to delete and rebuilt on your next build.

Folder: .astro

Build outputs Bazel caches between builds. Safe to delete, though the next build starts from scratch and can be slow.

Folder: Bazel Cache

Compiled output produced by Cabal for a Haskell project. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next build, which can take a while.

Folder: dist-newstyle

Compiled output and build configuration produced by CMake. Safe to delete, though you will need to configure and build the project again.

Compiled output produced by Dune for an OCaml project. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next build.

Compiled output created by Mix, the build tool for Elixir and Erlang projects. Safe to delete and rebuilt from your own source code the next time you compile.

Folder: _build, elixir-build

Saved results from ESLint, a JavaScript code checker. Safe to delete. ESLint will simply re-check all your files on the next run.

Folder: .eslintcache

Temporary build files created by Flutter. Safe to delete and will be recreated the next time you build your Flutter app.

Folder: .flutter-plugins, .flutter-plugins-dependencies, flutter_cache

A temporary folder used by the Dart and Flutter development tools. Safe to delete and will be recreated automatically the next time you run a Flutter project.

Folder: .dart_tool

Imported assets and editor data Godot keeps for a project. Safe to delete and rebuilt the next time you open the project.

Folder: .godot

A project's own Gradle state, such as file hashes and build history. The next build recreates it; downloaded libraries live in ~/.gradle.

Folder: .gradle, gradle-cache, caches/modules

Compiled output produced by a Gradle build. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next build.

Temporary files used by Husky to manage Git hooks in your projects. Safe to delete and will be regenerated automatically.

Folder: _husky

Temporary files saved by Jest, a JavaScript testing tool, to make tests run faster. Safe to delete and will be recreated on the next test run.

Folder: jest-cache, .jest-cache, jest_cache

Compiled Kotlin build files. Safe to delete and will be rebuilt the next time you build your Kotlin project.

Folder: .kotlin, kotlin-build

Compiled classes and packaged output produced by Maven. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next build.

Saved build outputs from Moon, a build and task runner for monorepos. Safe to delete and will be regenerated on the next run.

Folder: .moon, moon-cache

Saved results from Mypy, a Python type checker. Safe to delete and will be rebuilt next time Mypy runs.

Folder: .mypy_cache, mypy-cache

Temporary build files created by Next.js. Safe to delete and will be recreated the next time you build or run your Next.js project.

Compiled pages and assets produced by Next.js. Safe to delete and rebuilt the next time you run or build the site.

Folder: .next

Temporary build files created by Nuxt. Safe to delete and rebuilt the next time you run or build the site.

Folder: .nuxt

The built site Nuxt produces for deployment. Safe to delete and rebuilt on your next build.

Folder: .output

Saved build and test results from Nx, a monorepo build tool. Safe to delete. Your next build will take a little longer as it rebuilds from scratch.

Folder: .nx, nx-cache

Saved build outputs from the Parcel bundler. Safe to delete and will be rebuilt next time you run a Parcel build.

Folder: .parcel-cache, parcel-cache

Test results and lookup data cached by pytest. Safe to delete and recreated the next time you run your tests.

Folder: .pytest_cache

Compiled Python files that make your code run faster. Safe to delete and Python will recreate them automatically when your code runs again.

Folder: __pycache__, .pyc, pycache

Saved results from Ruff, a fast Python code checker. Safe to delete and will be recreated on the next run.

Folder: .ruff_cache, ruff-cache

Compiled Rust project files. Safe to delete — your project will recompile automatically on the next build.

Folder: target, rust-target

Compiled output produced by sbt for a Scala project. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next build.

Compiled output and dependencies kept by Stack for a Haskell project. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next build, which can take a while.

Folder: .stack-work

Temporary build files created by Storybook, a UI component development tool. Safe to delete and will be rebuilt the next time you start Storybook.

Folder: .storybook-cache, storybook-static

Generated files SvelteKit keeps between builds. Safe to delete and rebuilt the next time you run the project.

Folder: .svelte-kit

Compiled Swift build files. Safe to delete and will be rebuilt the next time you build your Swift project.

Folder: .build, swift-build

Compiled output from Swift Package Manager. Safe to delete and rebuilt by your next swift build.

Saved build outputs from Turborepo, a build tool for JavaScript monorepos. Safe to delete. Your next build will simply take a little longer as it rebuilds from scratch.

Folder: .turbo, turbo-cache

Unity's imported-asset database for this project. It rebuilds itself, but reimporting a large project can take a long time, so check before removing it.

Scratch files Unity writes while the editor is running. Recreated automatically, but do not remove it while the project is open in Unity.

Cooked assets and compiled shaders Unreal caches for a project. Rebuilt automatically, but the first build afterwards can be very slow.

Generated build files Unreal creates while compiling a project. They come back on the next build, which will take longer than usual.

Temporary files created by Vite, a fast frontend build tool. Safe to delete and will be regenerated when you next start your project.

Folder: .vite, vite-cache

Temporary files saved by Vitest to speed up test runs. Safe to delete and will be recreated automatically.

Folder: .vitest-cache, vitest-cache

Archived Xcode builds for App Store submission. Cannot be recovered once deleted — only remove if you no longer need them.

Folder: xcarchive

Temporary files Xcode creates while building apps. Always safe to delete — your next build will just take a little longer.

Folder: DerivedData, deriveddata

Compilation cache kept by Zig. Safe to delete and rebuilt on your next build.

Folder: .zig-cache

Finished programs and libraries produced by a Zig build. Safe to delete and rebuilt on your next build.