Routine direct removal
Many caches rebuild. Logs, temp files and saved state may hold unique information; recovering those needs a backup.
Examples: sections 3, 5, 7, 8A macOS cleanup tool you can inspect
Preview a Mac cleanup.
Choose a section, preview its paths, then decide whether to run it. macleanup asks before destructive work by default.
SECTION RECEIPT03 / 28
03 · PACKAGE MANAGER CACHESPreview before you clear.
npm, yarn, pnpm, Homebrew and other package caches. The exact files depend on your Mac.
npx macleanup --only 3 --dry-runDeletion methodDirect
Rebuild pathDownload again
Preview effectNo deletion
Illustrative guide · no scan runs on this page
THE DECISION
A full disk does not tell you what can go.
Caches, old build output, logs and personal files can sit close together. A broad delete command cannot explain the difference. macleanup splits the work into named sections so you can inspect one consequence at a time.
Start with the report and preview. Keep a separate backup for anything you cannot recreate.
Three steps. Your decision at each one.
A first run can stay entirely in preview mode until the path list makes sense.
- 01
See the sections
npx macleanup --listnames the available work. - 02
Preview a choice
npx macleanup --dry-run --allshows the safe batch without deleting files. It may write normal logs and reports. - 03
Run only what you approve
Use the interactive menu or
--only. Read the prompt before confirming a destructive section.
Look through a section before you run it.
These examples use the documented section rules. They do not scan your Mac.
SECTION 03ILLUSTRATIVE
Package-manager caches
Targets npm, yarn, pnpm, Homebrew and other package caches. Downloads may be needed again later.
npx macleanup --only 3 --dry-runRecovery limitCaches can usually be downloaded again. A network connection may be needed.
Read this section The recovery method changes by section.
Read the specific section before treating a deleted file as recoverable.
Moved to Trash
Orphaned app data, selected apps and large stale files can go to Trash. They can be restored until Trash is emptied.
Examples: sections 12, 21, 24Permanent removal
Backups, archives, snapshots, build directories, selected stale launch items and Trash contents can be removed directly. Your backup is the recovery path.
Examples: sections 10, 11, 16, 17, 23, 25THE DEFAULT BATCH
--all has a boundary.
It selects sections 0, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, 18, 22, 26. Deeper operations stay out of this batch, even with --yes.
0 · 15 · 18 · 26Reports
3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 9Cache, log and temp cleanup
22Purgeable space trigger
“Safe batch” describes its selection rule. Review the paths before running it.
The deeper sections need two deliberate flags.
For unattended batch use, six high-risk sections require both --yes and --i-understand-deep. Section 25 needs the same pair before it removes stale launch items in batch mode. The interactive menu asks you to select items.
Section 10 empties Trash. The minimal profile does not include it.
If Finder cannot move it, it stays.
Sections 12 and 21 use Finder to move selected items to Trash. Permission failure leaves the affected item in place and reports the failure.
SELECTED ITEMReview the path
→FINDERMove to Trash
→RESULTMoved, or left in place
Trash is temporary recovery only. Section 10 can empty it later.
Developer work leaves different kinds of residue.
Choose a section for the tool you use. The dev profile includes section 23, which removes stale build directories directly.
01Xcode caches and simulators
02Android and Gradle caches
03Package-manager caches
04Docker prune
23Stale build artefacts
DATA FLOW
The cleanup runs on your Mac.
By default, the script makes no network calls. Logs and reports stay under ~/.macleanup/. An optional version check contacts npm, which receives normal request metadata such as an IP address.
npx may also download the package from npm before the script starts.
A profile is a list of sections.
Choose by what it includes, then preview the whole list. A profile name does not make every action reversible.
SELECTED SECTIONS5 · 7 · 8 · 9
User caches, logs, old top-level temp files and update caches. It leaves Trash alone.
npx macleanup --profile minimal --dry-runQuestions to settle before deletion.
For path lists and all conditions, use the documentation.
All questions and answersWill dry-run change my files?
It deletes no files. It can still write the tool's normal logs and reports.
Can I undo a cleanup?
Only some sections move items to Trash. Direct deletion needs your own backup; macleanup has no undo command.
Does it clear saved browser passwords?
The browser-cache section targets cache subdirectories, not saved passwords, bookmarks or history. Review the section list before running it.
How much disk space will I get back?
That depends on the files on your Mac. Read the dry-run estimate and disk-usage report; there is no promised amount.
THE DESKTOP APP
The same sections, in a window.
The macleanup app runs the same script on your Mac and adds a disk gauge that shows snapshot-held space, a dry-run ledger you can read path by path, and a receipt for every run.
- Previews are free and unlimited.
- 15 real runs a month on every Mac, 15 more when you sign in.
- Pro removes the monthly limit and adds schedules and synced history.
RELEASE NOTE5.0.0Published 29 Oct 2026
One name: macleanup.
The command, script, data folder and config file now share one name. Run macleanup or npx macleanup. The first 5.x run copies your earlier logs and reports into ~/.macleanup/ and leaves the originals in place. Every safety limit from 4.7 is unchanged.
Start by looking.
Preview the safe batch, read the paths, then run only the sections you choose.