SweepKit Documentation — Getting Started Guide
Learn how to scan, review, and clean developer caches on your Mac with SweepKit.
Getting Started
SweepKit requires macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later. Download the app, drag it to your Applications folder, and launch it. No account creation or setup is needed.
System Requirements
- macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later
- Apple Silicon or Intel Mac
- Full Disk Access permission (for scanning all directories)
First Launch
On first launch, SweepKit may request Full Disk Access permission. This is required to scan developer directories like ~/Library. You can grant this in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
Overview Dashboard
The Overview dashboard is your home screen. It shows a summary of all scanned categories with their sizes displayed in a visual breakdown. The total reclaimable space is shown prominently at the top.
Scanning Categories
SweepKit scans the following 12 categories:
| Category | What It Scans |
|---|---|
| Xcode | DerivedData, archives, simulators, device support |
| Android Studio | Gradle caches, AVDs, system images |
| Flutter | Pub cache, Dart packages |
| npm | Global and local npm caches |
| Yarn | Yarn cache directory |
| pnpm | pnpm store and cache |
| CocoaPods | Repos and spec cache |
| Python | pip cache, virtual environments |
| Ruby | Gem cache, bundler files |
| Rust | Cargo registry and cache |
| Go | Module cache, build cache |
| Homebrew | Download cache, old versions |
Cleaning Files
After scanning, click into any category to see the individual files and folders found. You can select or deselect individual items before cleaning. When you click "Clean", selected items are moved to macOS Trash.
Dev Backup
The Dev Backup feature lets you save important developer configuration files before cleaning. This includes:
- SSH keys (~/.ssh/)
- Git configuration (~/.gitconfig)
- Shell profiles (.zshrc, .bashrc)
- Credentials and API tokens
App Manager
The App Manager shows all installed applications on your Mac, sorted by size. Use it to quickly find which apps are using the most space.
Settings
SweepKit supports both light and dark modes. The app follows your macOS system appearance by default, or you can set it manually in preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SweepKit cost?
SweepKit is free to download. Full access costs $19.99 per year.
Will SweepKit delete important files?
No. SweepKit only scans known cache and temporary directories. All cleaned files go to Trash, so you can always restore them.
Does SweepKit send data to the internet?
No. SweepKit is 100% offline. No data leaves your Mac.
Can I undo a clean operation?
Yes. Since files are moved to Trash, open Finder > Trash and restore any files you need.
