tmpwatch
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Description:
Find and remove files not accessed in a specified time
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: System utilities
Tags: cleanup system-utility file-management maintenance
Install: brew install tmpwatch
About:
Tmpwatch is a command-line utility designed to recursively scan directories and remove files based on their access time. It helps system administrators reclaim disk space by purging stale temporary files and logs that have not been used recently. This tool is essential for maintaining clean and efficient file systems on Unix-like operating systems.
Key Features:
  • Recursive directory scanning
  • Configurable time thresholds for removal
  • Support for safe dry-run operations
  • Flexible age-based filtering
Use Cases:
  • Automated cleanup of /tmp and /var/tmp directories
  • Rotating log files based on access patterns
  • Managing cache directories to prevent disk bloat
Alternatives:
  • find – More versatile but requires complex arguments for time-based deletion
  • tmpreaper – Similar functionality with additional safety features
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 12, 2024 9:27pm 0 VERSION_BUMP fc50bb23