Apps
JetBrains IDEs
JetBrains IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm, and Rider build large local caches to speed up indexing, code insight, search, and UI rendering. These cache folders typically contain Virtual File System records, filename and symbol indexes, stub indexes, Local History snapshots, JCEF browser cache, log files, and SQLite databases with WAL and SHM sidecar files used by newer platform components. Kudu removes these rebuildable caches and temporary IDE data without touching projects, source files, settings, accounts, or saved credentials.
Why clean JetBrains IDEs?
- Corrupted VFS or stub indexes can make files appear out of date, unresolved, or missing from search, so code completion and Go to Definition stop matching what is actually in the project
- After large branch switches, dependency changes, or generated-code updates, stale indexes can leave inspections and syntax highlighting stuck on old symbols, causing false errors that disappear only after reindexing
- JetBrains cache directories can grow into many gigabytes from Local History snapshots, JCEF web content, and accumulated index data, leading to low disk space warnings and slower project startup
- SQLite metadata stores can become page-fragmented over time; VACUUM rewrites the database without deleting rows, but clearing the cache forces a clean rebuild when searches, tool windows, or project metadata feel sluggish
- Stale JCEF browser cache used by embedded documentation, login flows, and plugin UIs can cause blank panes, outdated web content, or sign-in windows that fail to load correctly
- Leftover logs and temporary files from crashes or repeated indexing loops can keep the IDE busy on startup, showing long Scanning files or Indexing phases and sustained background disk activity
- Cache state carried over after an IDE update or plugin change can mismatch the current platform build, which users notice as repeated reindexing prompts, broken inspections, or random UI glitches until caches are rebuilt
What gets cleaned
Cache paths Kudu targets
Windows
%LocalAppData%/JetBrains |
macOS
~/Library/Caches/JetBrains |
Linux
~/.cache/JetBrains |
Frequently asked
Common questions about JetBrains IDEs
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