Cache
The ~/.cache folder in your home directory is a common location where apps and command-line tools store reusable temporary data.
What is Cache?
The ~/.cache directory is a user-level cache folder used by many third-party apps, developer tools, and cross-platform utilities on macOS. It often contains downloaded assets, package metadata, thumbnails, build artifacts, or other temporary data meant to speed up launches and repeated tasks. People commonly encounter it when using developer tools, package managers, browser-related utilities, or apps ported from Linux and other Unix-like environments.
Review files before deleting with diCleaner
Inspect caches, support files, folders, and related data before deleting items on Mac.
Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
This folder usually contains non-essential cached data rather than primary documents or settings, but some apps may need to recreate its contents after removal. Deleting it can cause slower first launches, repeated downloads, loss of local temporary state, or the need to sign in again in some tools depending on how they use cache storage.
Recommendation: Keep it if you actively use apps or tools that write there. If you need to free space, review its contents first and remove only app-specific cache folders you recognize and no longer need, then reopen affected apps so they can rebuild required data.
File path
~/.cache
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