ccdu
ccdu is a free, Apache-2.0-licensed terminal disk-usage analyzer for Linux and macOS.
What ccdu is
ccdu is a free, Apache-2.0-licensed terminal disk-usage analyzer for Linux and macOS. It scans files and folders with parallel and partial-scan options, then supports sorting by size or name, apparent-size and disk-usage views, treemaps, and duplicate discovery. Deletions and moves are staged for review and require an explicit commit. Before acting, ccdu rechecks each target’s identity and refuses protected system paths or invalid operations. Commits use an append-only journal, allowing work to pause, resume, or recover after a crash. Moves use rename, reflink, or copy-verify-unlink according to the filesystem, with optional hash verification. Remote work uses the SSH connection requested by the user, with read-only ncdu fallback when ccdu is unavailable remotely. The tool reads and writes its own compact scan format and ncdu JSON. Prebuilt binaries cover Linux x86-64, Linux arm64, and Apple Silicon Macs; Intel Macs can build from Rust source.
Good
- Staged deletions require explicit commits
- Append-only journal supports recovery
- Treemap and duplicate-file discovery
- SSH operation with ncdu fallback
- No unsolicited network connections
Watch out
- Committed deletions cannot be undone
- Recursive failures may leave partial deletion
- Some filesystems lack exercised coverage
- Intel Macs require building from source
Who it suits
ccdu suits Linux and macOS users who want terminal disk analysis with staged file operations. It is useful for people managing local or SSH-accessible files and reviewing changes before committing.
Verdict
ccdu emphasizes cautious, reviewable disk cleanup with journaling and identity checks. Its lack of undo and uneven filesystem coverage should be considered before committing destructive operations.
Plans and prices
From ccdu's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| ccdu | Free | Single binary · Linux and macOS · Apache-2.0 |
The facts
Each one read from ccdu's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Data handling
- Plans and journals record paths and stay on the machine where they are stored unless the user sends them elsewhere; scan exports contain scanned paths and sizes.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Exportable reports
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Filesystem coverage
- The README says Linux ext4 and tmpfs and macOS APFS are exercised in CI; btrfs and XFS reflinks, ZFS, network filesystems, and case-insensitive APFS have not been tested in anger.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Install
- Prebuilt binaries are available for Linux x86-64 and arm64 and macOS Apple Silicon; Intel Macs can build from source with Rust.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Interoperability
- ccdu can read and write its own compact scan format and ncdu JSON format.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Known limits
- There is no undo, and a failure during recursive deletion can leave a tree partly deleted; the journal records progress.checked 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the software as Apache-2.0 licensed.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Limit: filesystem coverage
- The project says btrfs and XFS reflinks, ZFS, network filesystems, and case-insensitive APFS have not yet been exercised.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Limit: undo
- There is no undo for committed deletions.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Move behavior
- Moves use rename, reflink, or copy-verify-unlink depending on the filesystem; hash verification is available with `--verify=hash`.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Network and data
- The security policy says ccdu makes no network connections except for SSH or ncdu that the user requests, and plans and journals are stored locally or on the remote machine doing the work.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Network behavior
- ccdu makes no network connections itself; remote operation uses the SSH process the user requested.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ccdu is a terminal disk-usage analyzer that stages file deletions and moves for review before committing them.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- It can scan and manage files on another machine over the user's SSH connection, with a read-only ncdu fallback when ccdu is unavailable remotely.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Resumable work
- Commits use an append-only journal and can be paused, resumed, and recovered after a crash.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Safety
- The security policy says changes require an explicit commit, targets are rechecked against their staged identity, and system paths are refused.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Scan features
- The interface supports sorting, apparent size and disk usage views, a treemap, and duplicate-file discovery.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Scanning and browsing
- It supports parallel scans, size and name sorting, a treemap, duplicate detection, and partial scans.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Scan scope
- files_folderschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Security checks
- Before operations, ccdu rechecks staged file identity and refuses protected system paths and other invalid operations.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maintainer asks vulnerability reporters to use GitHub's private vulnerability reporting or email and aims to acknowledge within a few days.checked 12 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop platforms
- linux,macoschecked 22 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Plan and journal
- Commits use an append-only journal and can be paused, resumed, or recovered after a crash.checked 12 Oct 2026
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