bysiberDeveloper tools
cleardisk
A free, open-source macOS menu bar app to monitor and clean gigabytes of developer caches.
- Monitoring / Observability
- Desktop
- macOS
- Runs locally
- Popularity
- 582 Stars
- GitHub stars
- Recent activity
- 8/30/2026
- Updated in the last 30 days
- License
- MIT
- Permissive
Why it matters
We look beyond stars: what problem it solves, whether it creates real utility, and what makes its approach worth noticing.
Problem
Developers accumulate massive caches (Xcode, node_modules, Docker, etc.) that consume hundreds of gigabytes. Existing tools are either expensive, bloated, CLI-only, or limited to a single ecosystem (like Xcode-only DevCleaner), lacking a unified, safe, and free GUI solution.
Practical value
At only 590 KB with zero dependencies and no network access, it scans 74 developer cache paths and 23 project types. It features risk levels, cache descriptions, and safe deletion via the Trash, making it highly practical for daily disk maintenance.
Innovation / differentiation
Compared to Xcode-only DevCleaner or general-purpose DaisyDisk, it combines menu bar monitoring, deep scanning of 74 developer cache paths, project artifact detection, and risk classification, filling a niche in open-source developer-focused utilities.
Leverage potential
Built as a native app with zero dependencies and a 590 KB footprint, it operates entirely locally without consuming excess system resources. It achieves high efficiency and privacy by using local path rules for rapid scanning.
Why now
Upgrading SSD storage on Macs remains highly expensive, while modern development tools (Docker, Next.js, Rust, etc.) generate larger caches than ever, driving a continuous demand for lightweight, secure local disk cleanup tools.
Community activity
In the last 90 days there were 9 new issues and 11 pull requests; the bounded issue/PR samples include 9 issue authors and 8 PR contributors, with 11 releases.
Maintainer responsiveness
The 9-issue window sample had a 44% close rate, and the 11-pull-request sample had a 91% merge rate. Maintainer-comment observations covered only 100% of that issue sample, so response rate and first-response speed are not reported.
Key highlights
- 74 Developer Cache Paths: Supports deep cleaning for Xcode, npm, Docker, Homebrew, pip, Cargo, and other major dev tools.
- 23 Project Artifact Types: Scans local directories for project-specific build folders like node_modules, .venv, and build.
- Risk Level Indicators: Categorizes caches into Safe, Caution, and Risky with clear descriptions to prevent accidental data loss.
Quick start
How it is installed, how hard it is, and where to start.
Where it runs
To be confirmed
Difficulty
To be confirmed
- 01Add the tap and trust the repository using Homebrew.
- 02Install the ClearDisk cask via Homebrew.
- 03If installing via DMG, bypass the macOS Gatekeeper warning by clicking 'Open Anyway' in System Settings or running the quarantine removal command.
- 04Launch the app and click the disk icon in your menu bar to view storage forecasts and cleanable space.
- 05Browse the scanned caches, select items based on their risk levels (Green/Yellow/Red), and click clean to move them to the Trash.
Best for
- Developers who want to try it on their machine
More about it
ClearDisk is a free, open-source disk cleanup utility tailored for macOS developers. Developer caches like Xcode DerivedData, npm node_modules, Docker images, and package manager caches can easily consume hundreds of gigabytes. ClearDisk sits in your menu bar, scanning 74 developer cache paths and 23 project artifact types. It runs entirely locally with zero network access, ensuring your code and privacy remain secure.
Sources
Each field shows its status and source — expand to review.
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Sources
Each field shows its status and source — expand to review.
capability tags
Verifiedmonitoring
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
editor note
Verified{"en":"Many macOS cleanup utilities are either expensive or fail to target deep developer caches. ClearDisk is a tiny 590 KB app with zero dependencies and no network access, focusing entirely on developer pain points. It scans 74 cache paths, categorizes them by risk level, and safely moves files to the Trash. It is a highly practical and privacy-respecting utility for Mac developers struggling with SSD space.","zh":"许多 macOS 清理工具要么价格昂贵，要么无法识别深藏在系统中的开发缓存。ClearDisk 仅有 590 KB，不含任何依赖和网络请求，专注于解决开发者的痛点。它不仅能识别 74 种常见的开发缓存，还能根据风险等级（安全、警告、危险）提示用户，并支持将文件移至废纸篓以防误删。对于经常面临硬盘空间不足的 Mac 开发者来说，这是一个非常实用且纯粹的辅助工具。"}
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
how to use
Verified{"steps":[{"en":"Add the tap and trust the repository using Homebrew.","zh":"使用 Homebrew 添加软件源并信任该仓库。"},{"en":"Install the ClearDisk cask via Homebrew.","zh":"通过 Homebrew 安装 ClearDisk 客户端。"},{"en":"If installing via DMG, bypass the macOS Gatekeeper warning by clicking 'Open Anyway' in System Settings or running the quarantine removal command.","zh":"如果选择手动下载 DMG 安装包，请在首次打开时若遇到系统拦截，前往“系统设置 > 隐私与安全”点击“仍要打开”，或在终端运行绕过隔离属性的命令。"},{"en":"Launch the app and click the disk icon in your menu bar to view storage forecasts and cleanable space.","zh":"启动应用后，点击菜单栏的磁盘图标，即可查看当前磁盘空间预测和可清理的缓存总量。"},{"en":"Browse the scanned caches, select items based on their risk levels (Green/Yellow/Red), and click clean to move them to the Trash.","zh":"浏览扫描出的缓存列表，根据安全等级（绿/黄/红）勾选需要清理的项目，点击清理。文件会被安全地移至废纸篓。"}],"installAt":"unknown","difficulty":"unknown"}
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
intro
Verified{"en":"ClearDisk is a free, open-source disk cleanup utility tailored for macOS developers. Developer caches like Xcode DerivedData, npm node_modules, Docker images, and package manager caches can easily consume hundreds of gigabytes. ClearDisk sits in your menu bar, scanning 74 developer cache paths and 23 project artifact types. It runs entirely locally with zero network access, ensuring your code and privacy remain secure.","zh":"ClearDisk 是一款专为 macOS 开发者设计的免费开源磁盘清理工具。开发过程中产生的 Xcode DerivedData、npm 依赖、Docker 镜像以及各类语言的包管理器缓存往往会占用数十甚至数百 GB 的空间。ClearDisk 常驻于系统菜单栏，能够一键扫描 74 种开发缓存和 23 种项目构建残留。它完全在本地运行，不申请网络权限，确保代码和隐私安全。"}
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
Latest release
Verifiedv2.0.26
Source: GitHub API · latest_release=v2.0.26 · 8/30/2026
License
VerifiedMIT
Source: GitHub API · license.spdx_id=MIT · 8/30/2026
needs api key
VerifiedNo
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
One-liner
Verified{"en":"A free, open-source macOS menu bar app to monitor and clean gigabytes of developer caches.","zh":"免费开源的 macOS 菜单栏工具，专为开发者清理数十GB的开发缓存与项目残留。"}
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
Platforms
Verifiedmacos
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
Category hint
Inferred from materialsai-apps
Source: Project README · hint=ai-apps · 8/24/2026
product forms
Verifieddesktop
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
role tags
VerifiedSource: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
supports local
VerifiedYes
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
supports self host
VerifiedNo
Source: admin_cms · cms editor · 8/29/2026
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