Safe by design
We distinguish rebuildable caches from your personal data. Protected apps are checked. Large files go to the trash and can be restored.
Explore safety → ✦ Open core · Built for your Mac
A clearer picture of your Mac.
Understand what’s taking space. Clean with confidence.
◉ macOS⊞ Windows⌘ CLI‹/› Open Source
Preview — the first signed & notarized release is in progress. Download links point to GitHub Releases.
Your Mac, understood.
macOSFind what’s taking up space and review it safely.
Applications42.8 GB
Developer cache18.2 GB
System cache6.4 GB
Other60.9 GB
Cleanup Review
Selected items can be reviewed before cleanup.
Xcode build cache~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData Rebuildable
Application caches~/Library/Caches Rebuildable
Browser dataMay contain important data Review first
Quick answers for developers
How much space can Mac developers reclaim from caches?
On a typical macOS dev machine, the biggest wins are Xcode DerivedData (often several to tens of GB across projects), Homebrew downloads and Docker build cache. MacLean reports each category with its own size and impact label, so you can decide what to remove.
Applicable to: macOS · Xcode / Homebrew / Docker workflows · Free edition
Is cleaning Xcode DerivedData safe?
Yes. DerivedData is rebuildable — Xcode regenerates it on the next build. Deleting it frees space without losing source code or project settings. MacLean labels it “Rebuildable” and always lets you review before cleanup.
Applicable to: DerivedData & build artifacts only · Never your source or project files
Why MacLean
Clean fast. Clean safe.
MacLean is a storage intelligence engine for developers: it tells you what happens if you delete something, protects what matters, and keeps your development environment lean.
Built for developers
From Xcode caches to Homebrew and Docker, MacLean understands your development environment and keeps it lean.
Explore features →Free & open source
The Free edition is fully open source under Apache-2.0. Pro adds advanced storage intelligence, scheduling and more.
Compare editions → Developer-focused Rebuildable Rebuildable Rebuildable Rebuildable Review first Rebuildable
Understands your development environment.
Real categories today — each with an honest impact label before anything is removed.
Xcode
DerivedData & build caches
~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
Homebrew
Downloads, logs & cleanup leftovers
/opt/homebrew & ~/Library/Caches/Homebrew
Docker
Orphaned images & build cache
Docker data directories
Application caches
App-level caches & temp files
~/Library/Caches
Browser data
Marked for review — may matter
Browser profiles
System logs
Logs & crash reports
/var/log
Editions
Start simple. Go further with Pro.
Keep the essential cleanup workflow transparent and free. Add deeper storage intelligence when you need it.
MacLean Free
Open core · Apache-2.0 · No account required
$0 forever
- Scan & inventory of storage usage
- Impact classification: rebuildable vs user data
- Protected-app confirmation before removal
- Safe delete: trash-first for large files
- Restore workflows & pending snapshots
- CLI included (macOS & Windows)
MacLean Pro
Advanced tools for deeper insight & automation
License via license server
- Storage history & growth trends
- Forecasting & smart cleanup policies
- Scheduled automation
- Advanced rules & project intelligence
- Local AI explanations (on-device)
- Pro dashboard & CLI pro commands
Pro is a private, license-gated edition. Pricing is announced at launch.
Open source
Free is free — all the way down.
The Free edition is fully open source under Apache-2.0. Audit the scanner, the safety layer and the restore logic yourself, file issues, or contribute.
What exactly is open in MacLean?
The complete Free codebase: scanner, classification, safety layer, restore workflows and CLI — Apache-2.0 licensed. Pro and the license server stay private.
FAQ
Good questions deserve clear answers.
Answers reflect the current shipped behavior and are kept in sync with releases.
Does MacLean delete files automatically?
No. MacLean scans first and shows every candidate with an impact label before anything is removed. Deletion is an explicit user action, and large files go to the trash by default. Protected apps and anything that may contain personal data require an extra confirmation step.
Does scanning upload my files?
No. Scanning and classification run entirely on your machine — file contents never leave it. The only network contact is the license service, and only for Pro entitlement checks (activate/refresh). The license service never touches your filesystem.
What kinds of files does MacLean clean?
Rebuildable developer caches such as Xcode DerivedData, Homebrew and Docker caches, application caches (~/Library/Caches) and system logs (/var/log). Anything that may contain important user data, like browser data, is flagged “Review first” rather than auto-selected.
What is the difference between Free and Pro?
Free is the open-core edition (Apache-2.0): scan, inventory, impact classification, safe cleanup, restore workflows and CLI. Pro adds storage history & growth trends, forecasting, smart cleanup policies, scheduled automation, advanced rules and local AI explanations, gated by a license.
Can deleted items be restored?
Yes, by design. Large-file deletions go to the trash by default, removals are recorded in a pending snapshot and a backup/restore manifest, and restore-oriented workflows are part of the Free edition.
Is there a signed, notarized release I can download today?
Not yet. CI builds artifacts for macOS (.pkg/.dmg) and Windows (.exe), but Developer ID signing and notarization are still being wired into CI. Until the first signed release is published, the download page links to GitHub Releases and preview builds — not a notarized installer.
statements above follow the current Free edition safety model and the license-server boundary. They are updated when behavior changes.
Make space for what matters.
The download page always reflects the current release status — signed builds, preview builds, and Homebrew instructions.