TidyMacFolders in your home whose names start with a dot (.cache, .npm, .gradle, .cargo, .rustup, .ollama) are created by command-line, developer and AI tools. Most hold downloads and caches that can be rebuilt, but some hold settings or keys (.ssh, .gnupg, .aws) that must never be deleted. Clean each with its tool’s own command.
The five questions
Hidden folders (their names start with a dot) that developer tools, AI apps and command-line programs keep in your home folder.
Tools store downloads, models, histories and caches here, and rarely clean up.
It depends on the tool. TidyMac explains each big one in Other big folders.
The right way: Use each tool's own cleanup command when it has one, or check the folder in Other big folders first.
How big it gets: 5–60 GB on developer Macs. Press Command-Shift-Period in Finder to see them.
Where it lives: ~
Do it yourself
In Finder, open your home folder and press Command-Shift-Period to show hidden folders.
du -xsh ~/.[!.]* | sort -rh | head
See your own hidden tool folders in seconds
Scan free, see every part of your storage explained, and clean only what’s safe. Everything goes to the Trash first.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete hidden tool folders on a Mac?
It depends on the tool. TidyMac explains each big one in Other big folders. Use each tool's own cleanup command when it has one, or check the folder in Other big folders first.
Why are my hidden tool folders so big?
Tools store downloads, models, histories and caches here, and rarely clean up.
How do I clean hidden tool folders manually?
In Finder, open your home folder and press Command-Shift-Period to show hidden folders.