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mac-storage-cleaner

Reclaim disk space on macOS by surveying, clearing, and trashing caches and leftover files.

30.5k|3.5k|Updated Jul 4, 2025
Search Tags:#cache#Xcode#Bash#trash#disk cleanup#MacOS#Storage
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --skill mac-storage-cleaner
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: mac-storage-cleaner
Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/main/cli-tool/components/skills/productivity/mac-storage-cleaner
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --skill mac-storage-cleaner

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

When a Mac's disk fills up, users face opaque "startup disk almost full" warnings and risky one-click cleaner apps that delete files without transparency. This Skill safely reclaims disk space by measuring usage first, deleting only provably regenerable caches, moving anything riskier to the Trash, and logging every action.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Read-only disk survey: Sizes every cache on the machine grouped into safe, ask, and never tiers before anything is touched.
  • Tiered cleanup: Auto-clears pure caches (Xcode DerivedData, npm, pip, Gradle, Homebrew), recommends but never auto-deletes expensive items like Docker images, ML models, and Xcode Archives.
  • Reversible deletion: Moves app leftovers, big files, stale installers, and old Downloads to the Trash via Finder so they can be restored, with every operation logged to an audit file.
  • Use Case: A developer gets a low-storage warning before a release build. Run the survey to find 40GB in DerivedData and simulator caches, clear the safe tier, then review and trash leftover data from long-uninstalled apps.

Quick Start

Ask the assistant to survey my Mac's disk usage and safely free up space by clearing caches and trashing leftover files.

Frequently Asked Questions about mac-storage-cleaner

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I free up disk space on my Mac safely?▼

Run the survey script first to see cache sizes grouped by safety tier, then clear the safe tier of pure caches like Xcode DerivedData, npm, and pip. Anything riskier such as app leftovers or big files is moved to the Trash so you can restore it.

What caches are safe to delete on macOS?▼

Pure caches that regenerate automatically are safe: Xcode DerivedData and DeviceSupport, CoreSimulator caches, npm, Yarn, Bun, pip, uv, Gradle caches, Go build cache, Homebrew downloads, and CocoaPods. Deleting them only makes the next build or install slower.

Can I delete Docker.raw or Xcode Archives to free space?▼

No, these are ask-tier items requiring confirmation. Use docker system prune -a for Docker instead of deleting the VM disk, and note that Xcode Archives contain dSYMs needed for crash symbolication and shippable builds.

Why didn't my free space increase after deleting files on macOS?▼

APFS marks freed space as purgeable, especially when Time Machine local snapshots reference the deleted files, so df may lag. The space is genuinely recovered and macOS releases it on demand.

How do I remove leftover files from uninstalled Mac apps?▼

The extras scan flags containers whose owning app appears uninstalled, but you must verify the app is truly gone via /Applications or Spotlight first. Leftovers are then moved to the Trash, never hard-deleted, so they stay restorable.

When should I not use an automated Mac storage cleaner?▼

Avoid it for cloud storage management, RAM or memory-pressure issues, and messaging app media like Telegram or WhatsApp caches, which are user data best cleared through each app's own storage settings.

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