Mac Storage Manager – Cross-Platform internationalized Version (macOS & Linux)

Mac Storage Manager is a shell script suite that helps you reclaim disk space by identifying and managing large applications on your macOS or Linux system.

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Table of Contents

• Features
• Installation and Setup
  • Clone the Repository
  • Make Scripts Executable
  • Install Dependencies
• Run the Project
• Homebrew Support
• Known Limitations and Common Issues
• Dependencies
• What Exactly is Deleted
• Warning
• Connect with me
• License

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Features

• Enhanced Logging & Progress Feedback:

  • Detailed logs (stored in mac_storage_manager.log) are generated throughout the operation.
  • Advanced error handling is provided via interactive whiptail dialogs and extensive logging.

• Interactive Application Deletion:

  • Applications are listed with calculated sizes (including Homebrew formulas and casks).
  • Users can select one or more apps to delete using an interactive checklist UI.
  • Confirmation dialogs present all files and associated directories that will be removed, ensuring safe deletion.

• Cross‑Platform Application Discovery:

  • Centralizes handling of .app vs. .desktop extensions and APP_DIRS for unified scanning and deletion on both macOS and Linux.

• Package Manager Removal (Linux):

  • Introduces delete_via_package_manager to detect and uninstall via apt, dnf/yum, or pacman where available.

• Critical Application Protection:

  • Prevents deletion of essential system apps (e.g., Finder, Safari, gnome‑terminal) to avoid accidental damage.

• Main Menu Sound Toggle:

  • Adds an on/off switch for audio feedback directly in the main menu, enabling quick control over sound notifications.

• Internationalization & Localization:

  • Translations are provided for over 40 languages, making the tool accessible worldwide.

  (Note that many language translations are experimental and may not yet be completely accurate or consistent. I welcome feedback from native speakers!)

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Installation and Setup

Clone the Repository

Clone the repository to your local machine:

git clone https://github.com/NarekMosisian/mac-storage-manager.git

Make Scripts Executable

After cloning, navigate to the project directory and run:

cd mac-storage-manager
chmod +x *.sh

Install Dependencies

Ensure you have the following dependencies installed:

• jq (for JSON parsing)
• newt/whiptail (for interactive terminal dialogs)
• Sound utilities:
  • On macOS, the afplay command is used (usually pre‑installed).
  • On Linux, paplay is used (install via your package manager).

For macOS via Homebrew:

brew install jq newt

For Debian/Ubuntu (Linux):

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install jq newt paplay

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Run the Project

Start the application by running the main entry point:

./main.sh

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Homebrew Support

A dedicated Homebrew tap is provided specifically for Mac Storage Manager. This tap ensures that the Homebrew formula is always up-to-date and error-free. You can check it out at the following link:

NarekMosisian/homebrew-mac-storage-manager

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Known Limitations and Common Issues

• Performance: Scanning the entire filesystem with sudo find can be slow.
• Permissions: Ensure you have sufficient permissions to delete system files.
• Interactive Dialogs: The project uses whiptail/newt; make sure they are installed correctly on your system.
• Shell Compatibility: It is recommended to use bash for running the scripts to ensure full compatibility.

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Dependencies

This script relies on the following tools:

• jq: A lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor.
• Homebrew: (macOS only) or Linuxbrew (optional on Linux).
• whiptail: A package for creating GUI dialogs in the terminal.
• newt: For terminal-based GUI dialogs.

Make sure these dependencies are installed before running the script.

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What Exactly is Deleted

When you confirm the deletion of an application, the script attempts to thoroughly remove it by deleting:

• Main Application Files:

  • On macOS: The application bundle from /Applications and ~/Applications.
  • On Linux: The corresponding .desktop files from /usr/share/applications or ~/.local/share/ applications.

• Homebrew Files (macOS only):

  • Uninstalls associated Homebrew formulas and casks installed via Homebrew.

Associated Files and Directories:

• macOS:

  • Application Support (optional):
    • ~/Library/Application Support/<Application Name>
    • /Library/Application Support/<Application Name>
  • Preferences (optional):
    • ~/Library/Preferences/com.<Application Name>.*
    • /Library/Preferences/com.<Application Name>.*
  • Caches (optional):
    • ~/Library/Caches/<Application Name>
    • ~/Library/Caches/com.<Application Name>.*
    • /Library/Caches/<Application Name>
    • /Library/Caches/com.<Application Name>.*
  • Logs (optional):
    • ~/Library/Logs/<Application Name>
    • /Library/Logs/<Application Name>
  • Saved Application State (optional):
    • ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.<Application Name>.*
    • /Library/Saved Application State/com.<Application Name>.*

• Linux:

  • Application Data (optional):
    • $XDG_DATA_HOME/<AppName>
    • ~/.local/share/<AppName>
  • Configuration Files (optional):
    • $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/<AppName>
    • ~/.config/<AppName>
  • Cache Files (optional):
    • $XDG_CACHE_HOME/<AppName>
    • ~/.cache/<AppName>
  • Log Files (optional):
    • Common log directories (if any) related to the application

• Additional Files Found via sudo find (optional): Any files matching the application name found during the sudo find operation (if you chose to include this step). The script will display these files and ask for your confirmation before deletion.

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Warning

Please read the following carefully before using the script:

• Data Loss Risk: The script performs a thorough deletion of applications and their associated files. Be cautious when selecting applications to delete. Ensure that you do not remove essential system applications or files.
• Review Before Deleting: Before any files are deleted, the script will display a list of files and directories that will be removed. Please review this list carefully to avoid unintended deletions.
• No Undo: Deleting applications and files is permanent and cannot be undone. Consider backing up important data before proceeding.
• Use at Your Own Risk: The script is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind. The author is not responsible for any damage or data loss that may occur as a result of using this script.

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Connect with me

If you have any questions or want to discuss the project further, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

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License

This project is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPLv3).
This license ensures that anyone who modifies, uses, or redistributes this software—especially in a networked environment—must share the source code and any modifications under the same license.

For detailed information, see the LICENSE file.