cleardisk

Overview of cleardisk

What it is

ClearDisk is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app that monitors and cleans developer caches. It scans 79 developer cache paths including Xcode, npm, Homebrew, Docker, pip, Cargo, Go, Gradle, and more. The app does not collect data or analytics; network access is limited to signed update checks.

Key features

• Scans 79 developer cache paths (Xcode DerivedData, Archives, Simulators, npm, pip, Homebrew, Docker, etc.)
• Project Artifact Scanner that detects 23 project types and finds stale per-project caches (node_modules, .next, .venv, Pods, etc.)
• Cache Descriptions provide human-readable explanations for each cache
• Risk Levels (🟢 Safe, 🟡 Caution, 🔴 Risky) to indicate safety of deletion
• Safe Delete moves files to Trash first, keeping them recoverable until Trash is emptied
• Menu Bar Monitor displays disk usage and changes color at 80%/90% thresholds
• Smart Notifications alert at 80% and 90% disk usage without spam

Use cases

Reclaim disk space from forgotten developer caches that can total 50–500 GB. Monitor disk usage directly from the menu bar. Clean specific caches such as Xcode DerivedData, npm cache, Homebrew downloads, Docker images, and more. Identify stale project artifacts in development folders.

Getting started

Install via Homebrew (easiest):brew tap bysiber/cleardiskbrew trust bysiber/cleardiskbrew install --cask cleardiskOr download the latest DMG from Releases, open it, and drag ClearDisk to Applications. Requires macOS 14+ (Apple Silicon and Intel). Release builds are Developer ID signed and notarized.

License and pricing

ClearDisk is open source under the MIT license. It is free to use.

Based on the project's public README and repository metadata.