# Is it safe to delete the .build folder in a Swift package?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/project-swiftpm-build
- Item: Swift package build folders (.build)
- Location: `…/.build`
- Verdict: Safe to remove — Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Typical size: 100 MB–10 GB per project
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

When you build a Swift package from Terminal or an editor such as VS Code, Swift Package Manager puts compiled products, dependency checkouts and caches in a `.build` folder next to `Package.swift`. Xcode uses DerivedData instead. Only folders in projects untouched for 30 days are considered.

## What happens if you delete it?

The next `swift build` or `swift test` fetches dependencies again from `Package.resolved` and recompiles, which can take several minutes.

## How to remove it properly

Run `swift package clean` to delete build products, or `swift package reset` to remove the whole `.build` folder including checkouts; both are permanent. You can also move `.build` to the Trash in Finder.