Developer IDEs

Clear Nova Cache on Mac

Clearing the Nova cache means removing only the app's temporary cache, which the app rebuilds on its own the next time you open it. Your projects, extensions and editor settings stay in place, so this is a low-risk fix when the app feels slow or misbehaves.

Last updated: October 31, 20262 min read

Clear the Nova cache without guessing

Nova data usually takes 200 MB – 2 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Nova
Typical data size: 200 MB – 2 GB
Category: Developer IDEs
File Location: ~/Library/Application Support/Nova

Nova cache folders you can clear

These folders are rebuilt automatically, so removing them does not touch your own files.

~/Library/Caches/com.panic.Nova Cache · app cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Saved Application State/com.panic.Nova.savedState Window state · window positions from the last session Yes, rebuilt automatically

Locations are the standard macOS folders Nova uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.

What the Nova cache holds and when clearing helps

Specific to Nova

The cache holds temporary data that the app rebuilds automatically. Extensions, themes and their data live separately in the Application Support folder, and editor settings sit in the preferences file, so clearing the cache leaves them alone. Project settings stay in each project's .nova folder. Clearing helps most when the app is sluggish or behaves oddly after an update. The app's data overall typically takes 200 MB – 2 GB, and the cache is only one part of that.

What happens after you clear the Nova cache

The app builds a fresh cache the next time you open it, so the first start afterwards will be slower than usual. Your extensions, settings and projects are not changed, so there is nothing to set up again. Window positions from your last session are also rebuilt automatically, so windows may open in default places once. Anything you moved to the Trash can be restored until the Trash is emptied.

Save your open work in the app before quitting it.Quit Nova completely before touching anything in the Library folder.Move only the Nova cache folder's contents to the Trash.Reopen the app and expect a slower first start while it rebuilds.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower.

Will the app ask me to set up my extensions again?

No. Extensions and their data stay in the Application Support folder, so clearing the cache does not touch them.

Can I undo the cache clear if something goes wrong?

Yes, if you moved the cache items to the Trash, you can restore them until the Trash is emptied.