What is CodeCleaner?
CodeCleaner is a native macOS application built specifically for software developers. It scans your Mac for hidden caches, build artifacts, and temporary files created by development tools like Xcode, Docker, Node.js, Rust, Python, Gradle, Go, Ruby, Flutter, Homebrew, and popular IDEs — then safely removes them to reclaim 50–150 GB of disk space. It includes six specialized tools: Dev Caches Cleanup, node_modules Scanner, Project Build Artifact Scanner, Large File Finder, Duplicate File Detector, and Disk Space Analyzer.
What developer caches does CodeCleaner remove?
CodeCleaner removes Xcode DerivedData, iOS Simulator runtimes, Swift Package Manager cache, Docker images and volumes, Colima VMs, npm/yarn/pnpm caches, node_modules folders, Rust Cargo registry and toolchains, Python pip/Poetry caches and virtualenvs, Gradle and Android build caches, Go module cache, Ruby gems, Flutter pub cache, Maven repository, Homebrew bottle cache, and IDE caches from VS Code, Cursor, and JetBrains products.
How much disk space can CodeCleaner reclaim?
A typical developer's Mac accumulates 50–150 GB of reclaimable caches and build artifacts within a year. Xcode alone can use 25–60 GB for DerivedData and simulators. Docker and Colima add 10–30 GB. Node.js caches and scattered node_modules folders contribute another 5–15 GB. Rust, Python, Gradle, and other tools add several more gigabytes each.
Is CodeCleaner safe to use? Will it delete my source code?
CodeCleaner uses whitelist-based deletion — only known-safe cache paths and build artifacts can be removed. Source code is never targeted. Docker resources are cleaned via official docker prune commands. You always review and approve every item before deletion. The app targets only regenerable data: caches, build outputs, and package artifacts that your tools will recreate when needed.
What macOS version does CodeCleaner require?
CodeCleaner requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later. It runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs. The app is built with SwiftUI for optimal performance and a native macOS experience.
Does CodeCleaner work on macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe?
Yes. CodeCleaner supports macOS 14 Sonoma and later, which includes macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 26 Tahoe. The app is built as a universal binary and runs natively on all supported macOS versions without compatibility issues.
How is CodeCleaner different from CleanMyMac or other generic disk cleaners?
Generic disk cleaners like CleanMyMac don't understand developer toolchains. They miss Xcode DerivedData, can't identify stale iOS Simulator runtimes, ignore node_modules folders, and don't know how to prune Docker images or clean Cargo registries. CodeCleaner is purpose-built for developers — it auto-detects which tools you have installed, scans only relevant paths, and provides six specialized modules for different types of developer disk waste.
Is CodeCleaner free?
CodeCleaner offers a free tier that lets you scan your Mac and see the total reclaimable space per category with charts and breakdowns. The Pro annual subscription unlocks detailed per-item results, path visibility, cleanup execution, and advanced features. It is available on the Mac App Store and as a direct download.
Can I use CodeCleaner without the Mac App Store?
Yes. CodeCleaner is available both on the Mac App Store and as a direct .dmg download from the official website. The direct download version has full disk access capability, while the App Store version uses folder-level security-scoped bookmarks per Apple's sandboxing requirements.
What developer tools does CodeCleaner auto-detect?
CodeCleaner automatically detects Xcode, Docker, Colima, Node.js (npm, yarn, pnpm), Rust (Cargo, Rustup), Python (pip, Poetry, Conda, pyenv, pipx), Gradle, Android Studio, Go, Ruby (gems, rbenv, RVM, CocoaPods), Flutter, Maven, Homebrew, VS Code, Cursor, and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, Android Studio). It only scans categories for tools you actually have installed.