SafetyAs of v1.8.2

What Purge will never touch

Purge works from a fixed list of places it is allowed to clean. Anything not on that list is refused, and the places below are refused even if a rule would otherwise reach them. This page is generated from the app's own source at build time, so it cannot say one thing while the code does another.

The never-touch list

Each group below says in plain words what is protected and why. Open the exact entries if you want to check them against the source. Paths starting with ~ are inside your home folder.

Your photos, music and movies

The Pictures, Music and Movies folders are off limits, along with everything inside them. A project you happen to keep in one of them stays untouched too, because these refusals win over every allow rule.

The exact entries3

The folder and everything inside it

  • ~/Pictures
  • ~/Music
  • ~/Movies

Documents, Desktop and Downloads

Purge never clears these folders. Large Files can show you what is in them, but nothing moves to the trash until you pick it yourself.

The exact entries3

The folder itself. Build folders and caches inside it can still be offered by name

  • ~/Documents
  • ~/Desktop
  • ~/Downloads

Mail

Your mailboxes, attachments and account settings in Mail are never offered. The one Mail folder Purge can clear, the downloads cache, is held back whenever Mail is running.

The exact entries2

The folder and everything inside it

  • ~/Library/Mail

The one Mail folder on the allowlist, and held back while Mail is running.

  • ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Mail Downloads

Sign-in, passwords and payment

Your keychains, Apple ID state, Apple Pay, and the caches of password managers and authenticators are never offered. Clearing these would sign you out of things or trigger a storm of keychain password prompts, and they take up almost no space.

The exact entries40

The folder and everything inside it

  • ~/Library/Keychains

Folders in ~/Library/Caches

  • com.apple.accountsd
  • com.apple.appleaccountd
  • com.apple.amsaccountsd
  • com.apple.akd
  • com.apple.AuthenticationServicesCore.AuthenticationServicesAgent
  • com.apple.identityservicesd
  • PassKit

Any folder in ~/Library/Caches whose name contains

  • account
  • appleid
  • authkit
  • authentication
  • authorization
  • identityservice
  • keychain
  • passkit
  • 1password
  • agilebits
  • bitwarden
  • lastpass
  • dashlane
  • keepass
  • authy
  • yubico

Any app container whose name starts with

  • com.apple.Passwords
  • com.apple.AuthKit
  • com.apple.AppleAccount
  • com.apple.Accounts
  • com.apple.PassKit
  • com.apple.Internet-Accounts
  • com.1password
  • com.agilebits
  • com.bitwarden
  • com.lastpass
  • com.dashlane
  • org.keepassxc
  • com.authy
  • com.yubico

Only the build caches under ~/.android are offered. The key your phones trust and the debug signing key stay.

  • ~/.android (adb key and debug.keystore)

Holds the Expo login. Only Expo's download caches are offered.

  • ~/.expo/state.json

iCloud, Home, Family and Screen Time

Sync state for iCloud, HomeKit, Family Sharing and Screen Time is never offered. Some of it macOS refuses to delete anyway, and Screen Time history does not come back once it is gone.

The exact entries13

Folders in ~/Library/Caches

  • CloudKit
  • FamilyCircle
  • com.apple.iCloudHelper
  • com.apple.icloudwebd
  • com.apple.itunescloudd
  • com.apple.iCloudNotificationAgent

Any folder in ~/Library/Caches whose name contains

  • icloud
  • itunescloud
  • screentime

App sandbox containers

  • com.apple.Home
  • com.apple.homed
  • com.apple.HomeKit

Any app container whose name starts with

  • com.apple.ScreenTime

Security and device-management agents

Endpoint security sensors and MDM agents are never offered. Touching their files can trip tamper detection, which a company's IT team sees as an attack on the machine.

The exact entries9

Any cache or app container whose name starts with

  • com.crowdstrike.
  • com.sentinelone.
  • com.sentinel-labs.
  • com.eset.
  • com.jamf.
  • com.jamfsoftware.
  • com.paloaltonetworks.
  • com.cisco.anyconnect
  • com.cisco.secureclient

macOS itself

System folders, anything that needs an administrator password, and the caches behind Finder, the Dock, Control Center and System Settings are never offered. Clearing those while they run can leave Settings panels blank until you log out.

The exact entries21

The folder and everything inside it

  • ~/System
  • /Library
  • /usr
  • /bin
  • /sbin
  • /etc
  • /var

Needs an administrator password, so never offered

  • /Library/Caches
  • /Library/Updates
  • /private/var/log
  • /var/log
  • /private/var/db/DiagnosticPipeline
  • /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

Folders in ~/Library/Caches

  • com.apple.containermanagerd

Any cache or app container whose name starts with

  • com.apple.finder
  • com.apple.dock
  • com.apple.controlcenter
  • com.apple.systempreferences
  • com.apple.settings
  • com.apple.systemsettings

Folders in ~/Library/Logs

  • DiagnosticReportsForNewHardware

App settings and data

Preferences, Safari's container, keyboard and input-method dictionaries, and the Library and Application Support folders as a whole are never offered. Purge only reaches named cache folders inside them.

The exact entries9

The folder and everything inside it

  • ~/Library/Preferences

The folder itself. Build folders and caches inside it can still be offered by name

  • ~/Library
  • ~/Library/Application Support

Any folder in ~/Library/Caches whose name contains

  • inputmethod

App sandbox containers

  • com.apple.Safari

iPhone and iPad backups. Never scanned, sized or shown.

  • ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

Installed plugins and IDE settings, refused before any cache rule runs.

  • ~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains

Zed's workspace state, deliberately left off the allowlist.

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Zed/db

Only the videos are offered. The thumbnails are what the wallpaper picker shows.

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.wallpaper/aerials (thumbnails)

Developer tools' own settings and installed packages

The allowlist names download and build caches one folder at a time, so a tool's settings, logins, installed packages and emulators that sit next to its cache stay where they are.

The exact entries7

Your own sbt settings and plugins, deliberately left off the allowlist.

  • ~/.sbt

Installed Mix archives, tools you chose to install, not a cache.

  • ~/.mix

A small settings file, not a cache.

  • ~/.flutter

Gems installed with --user-install, such as CocoaPods and fastlane. Only the download cache beside them is offered.

  • ~/.gem/ruby/<version> (installed gems)

Tools installed with dart pub global activate. Only downloaded packages are offered.

  • ~/.pub-cache/bin and global_packages

Only Stack's package store and snapshots are offered.

  • ~/.stack (config.yaml, global project, compilers)

Your Android emulators.

  • ~/.android/avd

Safe and Check First

Everything Purge offers carries one of two labels. Safe means the app or tool rebuilds it on its own and you will not notice it is gone. Check First means nothing is lost, but there is a cost: a browser downloads again, a Docker image re-pulls, a build takes longer next time. One-click and scheduled cleans only ever take Safe items. Check First items wait for you to pick them.

Anything Purge does not recognise is not shown as risky. It is not shown at all. A path that is not on the allowlist never reaches the results list, and if one ever did, the delete step refuses it again with a “skipped for safety” note.

The labels come from a bundled database of 282 explanations: 214 Safe and 68 Check First.

Check First items68
  • 1PasswordTemporary data stored by 1Password. Your vaults are safe, but 1Password may need to re-sync and ask you to unlock again.
  • Aerial Wallpaper VideosVideos for the macOS aerial wallpapers and screen savers, often several GB. Nothing is lost, but the aerial you use downloads again, and macOS may download others again on its own.
  • App ArchivesArchived builds created by development tools. Check contents before deleting — may contain important project archives.
  • App Store AccountsThis supports the App Store's sign-in and account system. Deleting it can prompt you to sign in to the App Store again.
  • Apple Accounts ServiceThis supports the system service that manages your Apple ID and connected accounts. Deleting it can sign accounts out and ask you to sign in again.
  • Apple Home & HomeKitTemporary data for the Home app and your connected smart home devices. Nothing is unpaired, but the Home app may be slow or incomplete until it re-syncs.
  • Apple ID ServiceThis is used by the service that manages your Apple ID on your Mac. Deleting it can prompt you to sign in to your Apple ID again.
  • Apple Key ServiceThis is used by the Apple background service that handles authentication and security keys. Deleting it can prompt you to re-authenticate.
  • Apple MailTemporary files and message previews stored by Apple Mail. No mail is deleted, but Mail re-indexes afterwards and search can be incomplete until it finishes.
  • Apple MapsDownloaded map tiles and location data stored by Apple Maps. Nothing is lost, but Maps re-downloads tiles as you use it and any offline maps need downloading again.
  • Apple Maps Tile CacheMap tiles and place data that Apple Maps has downloaded. Nothing is lost, but Maps downloads them again as you browse, which is slower and uses data.
  • Apple Music AppTemporary files stored by the Apple Music app. Nothing is lost, but artwork and library data are rebuilt as you use the app.
  • Apple Music LibraryTemporary data for your Apple Music library. Nothing is lost, but Apple Music may take a while to rebuild your library view.
  • Apple PhotosThumbnail and preview data stored by Apple Photos. No photos are deleted, but Photos has to regenerate every thumbnail, which can take a long time on a large library.
  • Apple Wallet PassesThis stores temporary data for passes in your Apple Wallet, such as boarding passes and loyalty cards. Deleting it is safe but your Wallet may need to re-sync pass data.
  • Background DownloadsThis holds state for apps that download content in the background. Deleting it can interrupt downloads in progress, which then have to start over.
  • Bazel Build CacheBuild outputs Bazel caches between builds. Safe to delete, though the next build starts from scratch and can be slow.
  • Cabal Package CacheHaskell packages downloaded by Cabal. Nothing is lost, but your next build downloads and rebuilds them, which can take a long time.
  • CocoaPods Spec ReposThe spec repositories CocoaPods uses to look up libraries. The public one is set up again on your next pod install. Private spec repos you added with pod repo add have to be added again.
  • Conda Package CachePackages conda downloaded and unpacked to build your environments. Your environments keep working because they link to these files, which also means deleting frees less space than shown until those environments are removed. Running conda clean --all does this more carefully.
  • Contacts & Calendar SyncThis is used by the service that syncs your contacts and calendars. Nothing is lost from your accounts, but your Mac re-downloads them, and they may be briefly missing while it does.
  • Cursor Agent LeftoversFolders from Cursor temp workspaces and empty windows that are now closed.
  • Cypress Test BinariesDownloaded browser binaries used by Cypress for end-to-end testing. Safe to delete but Cypress will need to re-download them before your next test run, which can take a few minutes.
  • Docker ContainersThis is Docker Desktop's virtual disk. It holds every image, container, and volume you have. Images can be pulled again, but volumes often hold database data that exists nowhere else. To free space and keep your volumes, run docker --context desktop-linux system prune while Docker Desktop is running. Quit Docker Desktop before deleting this folder.
  • DropboxTemporary sync data stored by Dropbox. Your files are safe, but Dropbox will re-verify your whole synced folder afterwards, which can take a long time on large accounts.
  • Family Sharing ServiceTemporary data for Family Sharing. Nothing is lost, but family and sharing settings may take a moment to re-sync.
  • Find My ServiceTemporary data used by Find My to track your Apple devices. Nothing is lost, but device locations may take a while to reappear.
  • Git Worktree CheckoutsForgotten branch checkouts created by Git. Safe to remove if you are no longer working on those branches, but check first that you have no unsaved work.
  • Google DriveTemporary sync data stored by Google Drive. Your files are safe, but Drive will re-check your synced content afterwards and may re-download parts of it.
  • Gradle Dependency CacheLibraries and build caches Gradle downloads for Java, Kotlin and Android projects. Nothing is lost, but your next build downloads everything again, which can take a long time and does not work offline.
  • iCloud Background ServiceThis is used by the background service that handles iCloud data on your Mac. Nothing is lost from iCloud, but your Mac will need to re-sync afterwards.
  • iCloud Data SyncThis holds the data your Mac uses to sync with iCloud. Nothing is lost from iCloud, but apps will need to re-sync their data afterwards, which can take time on a slow connection.
  • iCloud Drive SyncThis is used by the service that keeps iCloud Drive in sync with your Mac. Nothing is lost from iCloud, but your Mac will re-check and re-download file state afterwards.
  • iCloud NotificationsTemporary data for iCloud notifications. It is rebuilt automatically, but iCloud notifications can be delayed until it is.
  • In-App Purchase ServiceTemporary data for in-app purchases and App Store transactions. Nothing is lost, but apps may ask you to restore purchases or sign in again.
  • iOS SimulatorsVirtual iPhone and iPad devices that Xcode uses to test apps. Deleting one also deletes the apps and data installed on it. Xcode can create a new one whenever you need it.
  • iTunes & Apple MusicTemporary data from iTunes and Apple Music, including artwork and media previews. Nothing is lost, but artwork is re-downloaded as you browse.
  • Ivy Dependency CacheJava and Scala libraries downloaded by sbt and Ivy. Nothing is lost, but your next build downloads all of them again, which can take a long time and does not work offline.
  • macOS InstallerA full macOS installer downloaded from the App Store or Software Update, usually 12 to 15 GB. macOS does not need it once it is installed. Keep it if you use it to make a bootable USB installer; otherwise you can download it again from the App Store.
  • Mail Attachment CopiesCopies of attachments you opened from Apple Mail. The originals stay in your mail. If you edited an attachment after opening it and never saved it somewhere else, those edits are only here. Held back while Mail is open.
  • Maven Package CacheJava libraries downloaded by Maven, plus anything you built and installed locally with mvn install. Downloaded libraries come back on your next build, which can take a long time. Your own installed builds only come back if you build them again.
  • Microsoft OneDriveTemporary sync data stored by OneDrive. Your files are safe, but OneDrive will re-verify your synced folder afterwards, which can take a while.
  • NT-ware Print ClientThis is used by NT-ware's SmartClient, a print management tool commonly found in offices and universities. Deleting it is generally safe but the print client may need to re-configure itself.
  • NuGet Package CacheDownloaded .NET packages that NuGet restores your projects from. Nothing is lost, but your next restore downloads them all again, which can take a while and does not work offline.
  • nvm Node.js VersionsNode.js versions managed by nvm. Safe to delete unused versions — avoid removing versions your projects depend on.
  • Old Browser FrameworkA leftover Chromium framework that no running process is using. Quit and relaunch the browser before an older version it is still running from can be cleaned. The browser also deletes leftover versions itself on relaunch.
  • Old Editor Workspace DataSaved state for projects that VS Code or Cursor opened from folders that no longer exist, including any AI chat history for those projects. If you moved or renamed a project instead of deleting it, its chats are in here.
  • Ollama AI ModelsTemporary data stored by Ollama, a tool for running AI models locally. Deleting it is safe but Ollama may need to reload model data next time it runs.
  • Orphaned Git WorktreesAgent checkouts Git no longer tracks. Look inside first for uncommitted work.
  • Playwright BrowsersBrowsers Playwright downloaded for automated website testing. Your tests fail until you run npx playwright install, which downloads them again.
  • Puppeteer BrowsersBrowsers Puppeteer downloaded for automated testing. Your scripts fail until the browser is installed again, which happens on your next npm install or with npx puppeteer browsers install.
  • Screen TimeThe data Screen Time uses to track app usage. Deleting it clears usage history and reports, and they do not come back.
  • Sign In with AppleThis supports the 'Sign in with Apple' feature used by apps and websites. Deleting it can sign you out and require signing in again.
  • Siri Intelligence EngineApple's on-device intelligence that powers Siri Suggestions and app predictions. Deleting it resets what it has learned about how you use your Mac.
  • Siri Suggestions DataThis is what Siri Suggestions has learned about your habits and routines. Deleting it resets those personalised suggestions until Siri learns them again.
  • Spotlight Profile CacheSpotlight index profile data. Nothing is lost, but Spotlight rebuilds it afterwards and search can be slower or incomplete in the meantime.
  • Spotlight SearchThis is the data Spotlight uses to search your Mac. Nothing is lost, but search results will be slow or incomplete until macOS finishes rebuilding the index, which can take a while.
  • Stack Global CachePackage downloads and prebuilt libraries that Stack shares between Haskell projects. Your settings and installed compilers are left alone. Nothing is lost, but the next build downloads and rebuilds a lot and can be slow.
  • Telegram Media CacheTelegram stores auto-downloaded photos, videos and files here. It re-downloads them from the cloud as needed, but secret-chat media may exist only on this Mac.
  • Unfinished DownloadsDownloads from Safari, Chrome or Firefox that stopped before finishing and have not changed in over a week. A browser can sometimes still resume one, so check before deleting.
  • Unity Library FolderUnity's imported-asset database for this project. It rebuilds itself, but reimporting a large project can take a long time, so check before removing it.
  • Unity Temp FolderScratch files Unity writes while the editor is running. Recreated automatically, but do not remove it while the project is open in Unity.
  • Unreal Derived Data CacheCooked assets and compiled shaders Unreal caches for a project. Rebuilt automatically, but the first build afterwards can be very slow.
  • Unreal Intermediate FilesGenerated build files Unreal creates while compiling a project. They come back on the next build, which will take longer than usual.
  • Vagrant Box CacheVirtual machine images used by Vagrant. Safe to delete if unused — re-downloading takes a while.
  • Xcode App ArchivesArchived Xcode builds for App Store submission. Cannot be recovered once deleted — only remove if you no longer need them.
  • Xcode Device SupportThis stores temporary files used by Xcode when installing or testing apps on connected Apple devices. Deleting it is safe but Xcode may need to re-download device support files.
  • Xcode iOS Device SupportFiles Xcode copies from your iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV or Vision Pro to debug apps on it. Nothing is lost, but Xcode copies them again the next time you connect that device, which takes a few minutes.
Safe items214
  • Adobe Camera Raw Cache
  • Adobe Media Cache Database
  • Adobe Media Cache Files
  • Affinity Designer
  • Affinity Photo
  • Alfred Launcher
  • Android Build Cache
  • Android Build Output
  • Android Studio
  • Angular Build Cache
  • App Sandbox Manager
  • App Store Ads Cache
  • App Store Agent
  • App Store Binary Deltas
  • App Store File Service
  • App Store Migration Tool
  • App Store Notifications
  • App Update Downloads
  • App Updater Cache
  • Apple Ad Privacy
  • Apple Beta Program
  • Apple Business Services
  • Apple Feedback Logger
  • Apple Media Services
  • Apple ML Model Cache
  • Apple Python Cache
  • Apple Software Update
  • Apple Usage Reports
  • Application Logs
  • Arc / Dia Browser
  • Astro Build Cache
  • Bartender Menu Bar Tool
  • Blender 3D App
  • Brave Browser
  • Bun Package Cache
  • Bundler Cache
  • Cabal Build Output
  • Chat Media Cache
  • ChatGPT App
  • Claude AI App
  • Claude App Updater
  • Claude Code Logs
  • CleanMyMac
  • CleanShot X Screenshot Tool
  • CMake Build Output
  • CocoaPods Cache
  • Composer Cache
  • Content Type Service
  • Corepack Cache
  • Crash Reports
  • Cursor Cache
  • Cursor Startup Cache
  • Dart Pub Cache
  • Datadog Monitoring
  • DaVinci Resolve Render Cache
  • Deno Module Cache
  • Dictionary Cache
  • Discord
  • Dune Build Output
  • Edge Browser Updater
  • Electron App Cache
  • Elixir Build Output
  • Elixir Dependencies
  • ESLint Cache
  • Expo Cache
  • FaceTime & Video Calls
  • Feature Permissions
  • Figma
  • Figma Desktop Agent
  • Firefox Browser
  • Flutter Build Cache
  • Flutter Dev Tool
  • Focus Mode Service
  • Fork Git Client
  • Game Center Service
  • GameKit Framework
  • Ghostty Terminal
  • GitHub Actions Cache
  • Go Module Cache
  • Godot Project Cache
  • Google App Updater
  • Google Chrome
  • Gradle Build Cache
  • Gradle Build Output
  • Grammarly
  • Granola AI Notes
  • Hex Package Cache
  • Homebrew Package Cache
  • Husky Git Hooks
  • Image Thumbnail Cache
  • Insomnia API Tool
  • iOS Simulator Cache
  • iPhone and iPad Software Updates
  • iTerm2 Terminal
  • Java Native Libraries
  • Jest Test Cache
  • JetBrains IDE Cache
  • Kotlin Build Cache
  • Linear
  • Link Thumbnail Cache
  • Location Analytics
  • Loom Screen Recorder
  • Lungo Keep-Awake App
  • macOS Help System
  • macOS Tips App
  • Managed App Service
  • Maven Build Output
  • Messages Previews
  • Microsoft Auto-Updater
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Word
  • Mise Tool Version Cache
  • Moon Build Cache
  • Mypy Type Check Cache
  • NET Build Output
  • NET Intermediate Files
  • Network Data Cache
  • Next.js Build Cache
  • Next.js Build Output
  • node-gyp Headers
  • Node.js Dev Tool
  • Node.js Packages
  • Notion
  • npm Logs
  • npm npx Cache
  • npm Package Cache
  • Nuxt Build Cache
  • Nuxt Output
  • Nx Monorepo Cache
  • Obsolete Cursor Extension
  • Obsolete VS Code Extension
  • Oh My Zsh Cache
  • Old AI Coding Tool Versions
  • opam Download Cache
  • OpenAI Codex Tool
  • Opera Browser
  • Parcel Build Cache
  • Perplexity App Updater
  • PHP Packages
  • pnpm Package Store
  • Postico Database Tool
  • pre-commit Environments
  • Prisma Database Tool
  • Proxyman Network Tool
  • Purge App
  • pyenv and rbenv Downloads
  • pytest Cache
  • Python Bytecode Cache
  • Python Environment
  • RapidAPI / Paw
  • Raycast Launcher
  • Rebar3 Cache
  • Reminders Service
  • RevenueCat Purchases
  • Ruby Gem Downloads
  • Ruby Gems
  • Ruff Linter Cache
  • Rust Build Output
  • Rust Package Cache
  • Safari Browser
  • sbt Build Output
  • ScreenFlow Screen Recorder
  • Screenshots
  • Segment Analytics
  • Sentry Error Reports
  • Shazam Music ID
  • Simulator Caches
  • Siri Assistant
  • Siri Knowledge Engine
  • Siri Voice Data
  • Sketch
  • Slack
  • Sourcetree Git Client
  • Spokenly App
  • Spotify
  • Stack Build Output
  • Storybook Cache
  • SvelteKit Build Cache
  • Swift Build Artifacts
  • Swift Package Build
  • Swift Package Cache
  • Swift Package Manager
  • System Cache Manager
  • TablePlus Database Tool
  • Telegram
  • Terraform Plugin Cache
  • Terraform Plugins
  • ToDesktop App Updater
  • Tower Git Client
  • tox Environments
  • Translation Service
  • Turborepo Build Cache
  • TypeScript Type Cache
  • uv Package Cache
  • Vite Build Cache
  • Vitest Test Cache
  • Volta Tool Cache
  • VS Code Cache
  • Warp Terminal
  • WhatsApp
  • Widgets Cache
  • Xcode
  • Xcode Build Files
  • Xcode Documentation Cache
  • Xcode Test Devices
  • Xnapper Screenshot Tool
  • Yarn Package Cache
  • Zed Editor Cache
  • Zen Browser
  • Zig Build Cache
  • Zig Build Output
  • Zoom
  • Zsh Session Cache

What it can touch

The allowlist is the other half of the policy. It names cache, build and log folders one at a time, so a tool's settings or logins that sit next to its cache are never swept up with it.

A few folder names are allowed anywhere in your home folder, but only when a project file such as package.json or an Xcode project sits beside them. A folder called build on its own is never scanned, and a project kept inside Pictures, Music or Mail still exposes nothing, because the never-touch list wins.

Folder names allowed beside a project17
  • node_modules
  • venv
  • .venv
  • target
  • Pods
  • .gradle
  • DerivedData
  • build
  • dist
  • out
  • .next
  • .nuxt
  • .cache
  • __pycache__
  • .turbo
  • .parcel-cache
  • .dart_tool
Allowed locations99
  • ~/Library/Caches
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/iOS DeviceSupport
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DocumentationCache
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives
  • ~/.npm
  • ~/.npm/_npx
  • ~/.npm/_logs
  • ~/.cache/node/corepack
  • ~/.yarn/cache
  • ~/.pnpm-store
  • ~/.gradle/caches
  • ~/.android/cache
  • ~/.android/build-cache
  • ~/.cocoapods/repos
  • ~/.ivy2/cache
  • ~/.cache/act
  • ~/.zcompdump
  • ~/.cargo/registry
  • ~/.pub-cache/hosted
  • ~/.pub-cache/git
  • ~/.hex/packages
  • ~/.cache/rebar3
  • ~/.nuget/packages
  • ~/.bun/install/cache
  • ~/.cabal/packages
  • ~/Library/Caches/org.swift.swiftpm
  • ~/.swiftpm/cache
  • ~/.stack/pantry
  • ~/.stack/snapshots
  • ~/.cache/bazel
  • ~/Library/Logs
  • ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports
  • ~/.m2/repository
  • ~/.gem/specs
  • ~/.bundle/cache
  • ~/.composer/cache
  • ~/.cargo/git
  • ~/.terraform.d/plugin-cache
  • ~/.vagrant.d/tmp
  • ~/.zsh_sessions
  • ~/.cache/go-build
  • ~/go/pkg/mod/cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Code/Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Code/CachedData
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Code/CachedExtensionVSIXs
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/CachedData
  • ~/Library/Caches/JetBrains
  • ~/Library/Caches/Zed
  • ~/Library/Caches/ms-playwright
  • ~/.cache/ms-playwright
  • ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Code Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Code Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Notion/Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Figma/Cache
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Media Cache Files
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Media Cache
  • ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker
  • ~/.vagrant.d/boxes
  • ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
  • ~/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates
  • ~/Library/iTunes/iPod Software Updates
  • ~/Movies/CacheClip
  • ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Caches
  • ~/Library/Developer/XCTestDevices
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/watchOS DeviceSupport
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/tvOS DeviceSupport
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/visionOS DeviceSupport
  • ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/xrOS DeviceSupport
  • ~/Library/pnpm/store
  • ~/.yarn/berry/cache
  • ~/.cache/pre-commit
  • ~/.cache/prisma
  • ~/.expo/android-apk-cache
  • ~/.expo/ios-simulator-app-cache
  • ~/.expo/native-modules-cache
  • ~/.expo/schema-cache
  • ~/.expo/template-cache
  • ~/.expo/versions-cache
  • ~/.expo/expo-go
  • ~/.pyenv/cache
  • ~/.rbenv/cache
  • ~/.oh-my-zsh/cache
  • ~/.opam/download-cache
  • ~/.cache/puppeteer
  • ~/.conda/pkgs
  • ~/anaconda3/pkgs
  • ~/miniconda3/pkgs
  • ~/miniforge3/pkgs
  • ~/mambaforge/pkgs
  • ~/opt/anaconda3/pkgs
  • ~/opt/miniconda3/pkgs
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.wallpaper/aerials/videos
  • ~/Library/Messages/Caches/Previews
  • ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Mail Downloads

Rules can only narrow it

Purge has rules for recognising build output in different kinds of projects, and you can add exclusions of your own. Neither can widen the list above. A project rule only proposes a path, and every proposal still goes through the same policy before it can be offered. An exclusion only removes places from the scan. There is no setting, rule or override that lets Purge delete something the allowlist refuses.

Check it yourself

You can audit it directly here, at the v1.8.2 tag of the Purge repository.