BraveCLHow to find reclaimable build files on Mac
Scan developer folders, compare generated build files by size, and select an artifact to review before cleanup.
- What you'll achieve
- You will have a Reclaim Map of generated files found in your chosen project folders and Xcode DerivedData, ordered by size, with one disposable sample artifact selected for review.
- What you need
- Build Cache Cleaner 2.0 on macOS.
- Read access to a local folder containing developer projects; optionally, an Xcode DerivedData folder.
- Choose only folders you own or are authorized to inspect.
Build output and dependency caches can use substantial disk space, but deleting the wrong files can interrupt active projects. Build Cache Cleaner lets you inspect authorized local folders in its Reclaim Map, identify generated artifacts, and review candidates without moving anything to Trash.
1.Open the Reclaim Map
Open Build Cache Cleaner. The Reclaim Map shows the authorized sources and the space they may contain. An empty map is expected before you add folders.
Build Cache Cleaner Reclaim Map before any developer folders have been authorized, showing an empty results area. 2.Add a project folder
Use Select folder to add a local folder containing developer projects. Authorize the folder you want to inspect; it appears in the source list.
Reclaim Map with a single authorized project-roots source folder listed in the sidebar; no reclaimable items yet. 3.Add Xcode DerivedData
Use Select folder again, choose the Xcode DerivedData source type, and authorize the DerivedData folder you want to inspect. Both sources now appear in the map.
Reclaim Map with authorized project-roots and Xcode DerivedData source folders in the sidebar. 4.Scan the selected folders
Use Refresh sources to scan the authorized locations. Check Reclaimable items and the estimated sizes of the generated groups before selecting anything.
Reclaim Map after scanning the two sources, showing four generated artifact groups totaling approximately 625 MB. 5.Sort the results by size
Open the sorting control and choose Largest First. Compare estimated sizes to identify the biggest generated files without making any cleanup changes.
Reclaim Map sorted Largest First, with Xcode DerivedData, HearthNotes, and RecipeLab generated artifact groups listed by estimated size. 6.Inspect a project's generated files
Choose HearthNotes from Focus project to see the sample project's generated groups and details. Check Keep ready: it is off for this disposable example, but should remain on for projects you need to keep ready for work.
HearthNotes Rust target inspected in the Reclaim Map, with project details and Keep Ready switched off in the right inspector. 7.Select one artifact for review
Select HearthNotes, Rust target in the reclaimable list and confirm Selected items shows 1. This only prepares a candidate for review; no file has moved to Trash.
HearthNotes Rust target selected for review, showing one selected item and an estimated 163.6 MB, with no cleanup performed.
After the last step
Selection alone does not delete files or reclaim space.
Tips
Start with a disposable or inactive project so you can learn the Reclaim Map safely.
Sort by Largest First to see where generated artifacts occupy the most space.
Keep Keep ready enabled for active projects that need their generated files.
Watch outThe Reclaim Map reports candidates and estimated sizes; selecting an item does not move it to Trash or free disk space.
Watch outKeep ready is off in the disposable HearthNotes sample shown here. Do not turn off protection for an active project merely to follow the example.
Watch outBefore any actual cleanup, inspect the selected files and review the app's warnings and confirmation. This guide stops at selection.
