Mac Cleanup Go

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Mac Cleanup Go is an open-source, terminal-based macOS utility (CLI tool) designed for granular disk cleanup. It specifically targets cache, log, and temporary files across system and application directories.
2. Core Value Proposition: It solves the "black box" problem in macOS cleaners by providing full transparency—showing file paths, sizes, and categories—before deletion. Users selectively move items to Trash (or permanently delete), prioritizing control and safety.

Main Features

1. Preview-First TUI Interface:
   • How it works: Scans 107 predefined targets (system, browsers, dev tools, apps) in parallel using Go’s concurrency. Renders a Terminal User Interface (TUI) with bubbletea showing real-time file paths/sizes.
   • Tech: Golang, bubbletea TUI framework, macOS file APIs.
2. Granular File Selection & Exclusion:
   • How it works: Users toggle exclusions per file/folder via keyboard (Spacebar). Items default to "excluded" in risky categories (e.g., chat apps). Deletion requires explicit inclusion.
   • Tech: Interactive TUI checkboxes, filesystem watchers.
3. Impact-Level Categorization:
   • How it works: Labels targets as Safe (auto-regenerated caches), Moderate (re-downloadable data), Risky (potential user data), or Manual (app-specific guides).
   • Tech: Predefined rulesets, size aggregation per category.
4. Built-in Scanners for Homebrew/Docker/Downloads:
   • How it works: homebrew and docker categories use CLI output (brew cleanup --dry-run, docker system prune -f) to identify deletable data. old-downloads filters by last-modified time.
   • Tech: External command execution, time-based filtering.
5. Manual Categories with App Guides:
   • How it works: For apps like Telegram/KakaoTalk, surfaces cleanup guides instead of auto-deletion. Requires user action via app settings.
   • Tech: Static documentation rendering in TUI.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Lack of transparency in macOS cleaners risking accidental deletion of critical files.
2. Target Audience:
   • Power users/developers (Homebrew, Docker, IDE cache management).
   • Privacy-focused users (browser cache/log cleanup).
   • Storage-constrained MacBook owners targeting large caches.
3. Use Cases:
   • Reclaiming disk space from developer tools (Xcode, npm, Pyenv caches).
   • Pre-upgrade macOS cleanup to remove redundant logs.
   • Troubleshooting app issues by clearing corrupted caches selectively.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation vs. GUI Cleaners:
   • Unlike apps like CleanMyMac, Mac Cleanup Go shows exact files pre-deletion. Competitors auto-delete opaque "junk" categories.
   • Open-source MIT license enables auditing (vs. proprietary tools).
2. Key Innovation:
   • Preview-first workflow: No deletion until user confirmation post-review.
   • Risk-based exclusions: Risky items default to excluded; requires opt-in.
   • Parallelized scanning: Golang goroutines accelerate large directory scans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Mac Cleanup Go safe to use?
   Yes—it defaults to moving files to Trash (not permanent delete). Risky items start excluded, requiring manual inclusion. Full transparency prevents blind deletion.
2. Why does Mac Cleanup Go require Full Disk Access?
   Full Disk Access enables scanning restricted directories (e.g., system logs, Mail caches). Without it, cleanup scope is limited. Grant access via System Settings > Privacy & Security.
3. How to update Mac Cleanup Go?
   Update via Homebrew: brew update && brew upgrade mac-cleanup-go. The --update flag triggers version checks.
4. What makes Mac Cleanup Go better than manual cleanup?
   It automates discovery of 107 cache/log locations (e.g., ~/Library/Caches, ~/Library/Logs) with size metrics. Manual cleanup misses hidden or app-specific paths.
5. Can Mac Cleanup Go delete system files?
   No—it targets user-accessible caches, logs, and temps. System files are excluded by design. Manual categories only provide app-specific guides.