# Install mac-cleanup-go with Homebrew

TUI macOS cleaner that scans caches/logs and lets you select what to delete. Version 1.6.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-29.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:mac-cleanup-go
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install mac-cleanup-go
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:mac-cleanup-go
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 1.6.0
- **Source summary:** TUI macOS cleaner that scans caches/logs and lets you select what to delete
- **Homepage:** <https://github.com/2ykwang/mac-cleanup-go>
- **Repository:** <https://github.com/2ykwang/mac-cleanup-go>
- **Last updated:** 2026-07-29T17:04:49+02:00
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- mac-cleanup (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 1.6.0
## Project history and usage

mac-cleanup-go is a Go-based macOS cleanup utility that presents cleanup targets in a terminal UI before anything is deleted. Its README describes a preview-first workflow for caches, logs, temporary files, selected app data, Docker, Homebrew, and developer-tool caches.

### Project history

The public GitHub repository was created in January 2026 and the project quickly iterated through a 1.x release series. Release notes show early work on preview and confirmation UI, Docker item handling, a command-line cleaning mode in v1.3.10, and expanded cleanup coverage through v1.5.0 and v1.5.1.

The project positions itself as a safer, interactive alternative to broad cleanup scripts: risky categories are unselected by default, SIP-protected paths are excluded, and manual categories surface guidance rather than automatically deleting data.

### Adoption history

The README documents Homebrew as the primary install path, with GitHub Releases as an alternative. Homebrew formula analytics reported 2,099 installs over 365 days for mac-cleanup-go at the time of this batch.

GitHub repository metadata showed several hundred stars and releases by mid-2026, suggesting fast early adoption for a young macOS utility rather than long-established cross-platform packaging.

### How it is used

Typical interactive use is `mac-cleanup`, then selecting categories, previewing items, excluding anything to keep, and confirming deletion. The README also documents CLI mode with `mac-cleanup --select`, `mac-cleanup --clean --dry-run`, and `mac-cleanup --clean`.

The tool sends most deleted items to Trash by default, while the Trash category itself is permanent. The README says Full Disk Access may be needed for Trash or restricted locations.

### Why package nerds care

For package-manager users, mac-cleanup-go is notable because Homebrew is both an installation channel and a cleanup target. It reflects a newer generation of macOS maintenance tools that wrap package caches, build caches, and app-specific paths in a TUI instead of relying on one-shot shell scripts.

### Timeline

- 2026-01: Public GitHub repository created.
- 2026-02: v1.3.10 added CLI mode for selecting targets, dry runs, and cleanup execution.
- 2026-04: v1.5.0 expanded cleanup coverage and upgraded the Bubble Tea terminal UI stack.
- 2026-06: v1.5.1 included Docker availability and scan-performance fixes.

### Related projects

- The README lists mac-cleanup-py and Mole as alternatives. mac-cleanup-go overlaps with mac-cleanup-py in the macOS cleanup niche but emphasizes a Go implementation and terminal UI preview workflow.

### Sources

- <https://formulae.brew.sh/api/formula/mac-cleanup-go.json>
- <https://github.com/2ykwang/mac-cleanup-go#readme>
- <https://github.com/2ykwang/mac-cleanup-go/releases>
- source_facts.repo


## Security Notes

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

- **Geiger risk:** green / low
- narrow executable package without higher-risk signals


## Configuration and credential file locations

These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.


## Configuration files

- macOS: ~/.config/mac-cleanup-go/config.yaml

## Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/mac-cleanup-go.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/mac-cleanup-go.yml)


## Sources

- pkg.so package database
- Geiger risk classifier
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- pkgdb category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph