An open-source Mac cleaner that asks before deleting
mac-clean is an tool for finding files that take up space on a Mac. One command starts a local web screen in the browser, scans the disk, and groups results into areas such as caches, logs, old , node_modules, large folders, duplicates checked with SHA-256, and iOS backups. It does not delete anything by itself. It only acts on the exact paths the user selects.
By , removed items go to the Trash, so they can be recovered. Permanent delete is separate and requires a double confirmation. On one Mac, a single run reduced disk use from 98% full to 51% full. Most of the recovered space came from leftover app data, not from the apps themselves.
and UTM had already been moved to the Trash, but downloaded models and images were still taking tens of gigabytes on disk. Deleting an app often does not remove the large data it created, and mac-clean is built to make those leftovers visible.
Key points
- mac-clean is an Mac cleaner focused on showing files before removal.
- It opens a local browser screen and groups disk usage by caches, logs, , node_modules, large folders, duplicates, and iOS backups.
- It never deletes automatically and only handles paths the user selects.
- Trash is the removal method, while permanent delete needs double confirmation.
- Large leftovers from removed apps can remain on disk for months.