---
title: "DerivedData · MacMelon"
description: "DerivedData is Xcode's per-project build cache of indexes and intermediate products. It can be removed and rebuilt; Disk Housekeeper can add it to Smart Clean."
url: "https://macmelon.com/glossary/deriveddata"
---

# DerivedData

Xcode's build cache: indexes, module caches, and intermediate products that the next build can recreate.

DerivedData is the directory Xcode uses for a project's generated build state. Indexes, precompiled modules, and intermediate build products land there so the next compile can reuse them. The usual location is ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData. Your source tree is not stored there.

Removing it does not delete the project. It makes the next build slower, because Xcode reconstructs the cache. [Disk Housekeeper](https://macmelon.com/apps/disk-housekeeper) Smart Clean can include DerivedData. You get a preview first, and the removal goes to the Trash by default. See [Clear Xcode DerivedData](https://macmelon.com/use-cases/clear-xcode-deriveddata).

## Apps

[Make room for what matters. Clear clutter with confidence. ### Disk Housekeeper](https://macmelon.com/apps/disk-housekeeper)

## Related guides

[### How to clean developer files on macOS](https://macmelon.com/guides/how-to-clean-developer-files-on-macos)

## Related use cases

[### Clear Xcode DerivedData](https://macmelon.com/use-cases/clear-xcode-deriveddata)[### Clean npm, Gradle, and Cargo caches](https://macmelon.com/use-cases/clean-developer-caches)

## Related terms

[Apple's integrated development environment for building apps on Apple platforms. ### Xcode](https://macmelon.com/glossary/xcode)[Files a developer tool keeps so the next build or install can skip a download or a compile. ### Developer cache](https://macmelon.com/glossary/developer-cache)[Disk Housekeeper's cleaner for developer caches and node\_modules, behind a preview. ### Smart Clean](https://macmelon.com/glossary/smart-clean)