Developer Tools Cache
Apple’s developer toolchain stores reusable cache data under com.apple.DeveloperTools to speed up builds, indexing, previews, and simulator-related tasks across Xcode and associated command-line tools. This cache can include compiled module caches, SourceKit and index data, simulator support downloads, package metadata, and other transient build artifacts that become stale after Xcode, SDK, or toolchain changes. Kudu removes only these disposable cache files so corrupted or outdated developer caches can be rebuilt, without touching projects, source code, signing identities, accounts, or preferences.
Why clean Developer Tools Cache?
- Stale compiled module and precompiled header caches after an Xcode or SDK update can trigger cryptic build failures like failed-to-build-module errors until the cache is regenerated
- Outdated SourceKit and indexing data can leave code completion, jump-to-definition, and symbol search showing wrong results or no results in projects that otherwise compile normally
- Corrupted Swift package and package metadata caches can make dependency resolution hang, re-download repeatedly, or report checksum and version mismatches
- Simulator support cache leftovers from older runtimes can consume several gigabytes and show up as slow simulator boot, missing runtime components, or repeated setup prompts
- Invalid preview and derived developer UI caches can cause SwiftUI previews to fail to render, stay stuck on loading, or crash immediately after a toolchain change
- SQLite-backed developer metadata stores can suffer page fragmentation over time; VACUUM rewrites the database file compactly without deleting rows, reducing wasted space and improving cache rebuild behavior
- Damaged transient build artifacts in the developer cache can cause long indexing passes, repeated recompilation of unchanged files, and fans spinning during tasks that should finish quickly
Cache paths Kudu targets
macOS
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.DeveloperTools |
Common questions about Developer Tools Cache
Download Kudu and reclaim your disk space.
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. No account required, no feature gates, no telemetry without consent. All cleaning targets are open source and community-auditable.