Developer IDEs

Clear Zed Cache on Mac

To clear the cache, quit the app completely and remove only its cache folder in your Library. The cache is rebuilt automatically, and your settings and extensions stay where they are.

Last updated: October 31, 20262 min read

Clear the Zed cache without guessing

Zed data usually takes 200 MB – 5 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: Zed
Typical data size: 200 MB – 5 GB
Category: Developer IDEs
File Location: ~/Library/Application Support/Zed

Zed cache folders you can clear

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

~/Library/Logs/Zed Logs · Zed log files Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Caches/Zed Cache · Zed download and runtime cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Application Support/Zed/languages App data · downloaded language servers Yes, rebuilt automatically

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

What the Zed cache holds and when clearing it helps

Specific to Zed

The cache holds downloads and runtime files that the app rebuilds automatically, so clearing it does not remove your own work. Most of the space typically goes to the language servers the app downloads for each language you open, which are stored in its Application Support folder. A steadily growing folder is the main sign that clearing will help, along with a language server that has stopped responding. Typical data for this app is 200 MB – 5 GB. Settings, themes and extensions live in folders that hold your own data, and the cache step leaves them alone.

What happens after you clear the Zed cache

The next time the app needs those files, it rebuilds them, so the first start afterwards may be slower than usual. Language servers download again as you open files, which can take a little time. Your settings, keymap, themes, extensions and local AI threads are not part of the cache and stay as they are. Your optional account is not touched by this step. Once the cache has rebuilt, the app should run at its normal speed.

Quit Zed completely before removing any cache files.Remove only the cache folder in Library, leaving the config folder alone.Reopen Zed and let it rebuild the language servers you need.

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Account and sync: A Zed account is optional and used for collaboration and hosted AI features.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Does the app need to be reinstalled after clearing the cache?

No. Clearing the cache does not require reinstalling the app, and your extensions and settings remain in place.

Will my language servers come back on their own?

Yes. The app downloads them again when you open a file in that language, so the first open may take a moment.