Noureddine RAMDI / MacSift: a safety-first macOS disk cleaner with SwiftUI and MVVM

Created Mon, 04 May 2026 10:23:02 +0000 Modified Sat, 23 May 2026 20:41:27 +0000
726 Words
github-stars swift swiftui macos disk-cleaner mvvm apple-silicon

Lcharvol/MacSift

MacSift tackles a problem macOS users often face: cleaning up disk clutter safely without risking critical system files. Its standout feature is a safety-by-design approach that enforces deletion rules at the engine level, not just the UI. This means system paths are hard-blocked from deletion attempts, selections persist reliably across scans, and files are never permanently deleted but sent to Trash. It’s all wrapped in a modern SwiftUI app with a strict MVVM architecture, designed exclusively for Apple Silicon on the latest macOS 26 (Tahoe).

what macsift does and how it’s built

MacSift is a transparent disk cleaning utility for macOS, written fully in Swift with SwiftUI for the user interface and a clean MVVM pattern to separate concerns. The project uses SwiftPM exclusively, avoiding CocoaPods or other dependency managers, which keeps the build clean and lightweight.

Under the hood, MacSift scans the usual spots for cache and log files — standard system cache directories and the user’s home directory — then classifies found files into 11 categories. These categories help organize the files by their owning applications, collapsing potentially thousands of scattered files into single actionable rows in the UI. This grouping greatly simplifies the user experience, letting you clean by app rather than hunting individual files.

The app targets macOS 26 (Tahoe) and is designed for Apple Silicon only, which lets it take advantage of the latest OS features and architecture optimizations. The binary is notably small at just 1.5 MB.

the safety-first disk cleaning engine and technical strengths

MacSift’s core strength lies in its CleaningEngine, which is implemented in roughly 120 lines of Swift code. This engine enforces safety at the code level rather than relying on UI filters or user discipline:

  • System paths are hard-blocked before any deletion request reaches the file system. This is a critical safeguard to prevent accidental system damage.
  • Deletions never directly remove files but use FileManager’s trashItem method, which moves files to the Trash. This makes permanent deletion impossible without explicit user intervention.
  • File selections are preserved across rescans using SHA-256 hashes computed for file identities. This persistence means you can safely refresh scans without losing your cleanup choices.
  • The app makes zero network calls and collects zero telemetry, aligning with a privacy-conscious design.

The architecture uses strict MVVM patterns with SwiftUI, promoting clear separation between UI, business logic, and data layers. This makes the codebase easier to audit and maintain.

The tradeoff here is that MacSift requires the very latest macOS version and Apple Silicon hardware, which limits its user base but allows it to stay lean and modern without legacy baggage.

install and try macsift

MacSift offers three installation options:

Option A — Homebrew (one command)

brew tap Lcharvol/macsift
brew install --cask macsift

This is the easiest way to install and upgrade. Since MacSift is not notarized, the Homebrew cask automatically strips the quarantine attribute so you can open the app normally.

Option B — Download the release

  1. Download the MacSift.zip (1.5 MB, Apple Silicon).
  2. Unzip and drag MacSift.app into /Applications before opening it to avoid extra Gatekeeper warnings.
  3. On first launch, right-click or Control-click and choose Open to bypass Gatekeeper manually if needed.
  4. Grant Full Disk Access in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access.

Note that the app is ad-hoc signed and not notarized, so macOS may warn about malware verification. You can override this as explained.

Option C — Build from source

git clone https://github.com/Lcharvol/MacSift.git
cd MacSift
./build-app.sh && open MacSift.app

Building requires macOS 26, Apple Silicon, and Xcode 26 command-line tools.

The uninstall process is integrated into the app’s settings.

verdict: who should use macsift

MacSift is an appealing tool for macOS users who want a safe, transparent disk cleaner that respects system integrity and user privacy. Its safety-by-design model reduces the risk of accidental damage and data loss.

The strict requirement for macOS 26 and Apple Silicon means it’s not for everyone, especially those on older Macs or earlier macOS versions. The lack of notarization might also deter users who prefer fully notarized apps, though building from source is an option.

Overall, MacSift is a solid example of modern macOS app design with SwiftUI and MVVM. It’s lightweight, focused, and auditable, making it a good fit for users who value safety and minimalism over flashy features or broad compatibility.

→ GitHub Repo: Lcharvol/MacSift ⭐ 145 · Swift