The short answer
Yes. Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed.
What is it?
hf_xet, the transfer layer behind recent Hugging Face downloads and uploads, keeps working data in ~/.cache/huggingface/xet: shard data used to avoid re-uploading content and staging data for resuming interrupted uploads (older versions also kept a chunk cache for downloads). It does not hold your downloaded models, which stay in ~/.cache/huggingface/hub.
Chunks kept to speed up later downloads. Downloaded models stay intact.
What happens if you delete it?
The folder is recreated as needed. Transfers may be slightly slower at first, and an interrupted upload may have to restart from the beginning.
How to remove it properly
Hugging Face documents removing the whole folder to reclaim its space. Move it to the Trash in Finder (Go › Go to Folder… ~/.cache/huggingface/xet) when no download or upload is running.
Quit the app that uses it, then move it to the Trash. Empty the Trash when you’re sure.
How MoreRoom helps
MoreRoom recognises this item, shows its real size and when it was last used, and labels it “Safe to remove”. In the free version you can move it to the Trash in one click, with Undo; Pro collects every safe item at once.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete the Hugging Face xet cache folder?
Yes. Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed. The folder is recreated as needed. Transfers may be slightly slower at first, and an interrupted upload may have to restart from the beginning.
Will Hugging Face download cache (Xet) come back after I delete it?
Yes. The folder is recreated as needed. Transfers may be slightly slower at first, and an interrupted upload may have to restart from the beginning.
How do I remove Hugging Face download cache (Xet) properly?
Hugging Face documents removing the whole folder to reclaim its space. Move it to the Trash in Finder (Go › Go to Folder… ~/.cache/huggingface/xet) when no download or upload is running.