Is it safe to delete Lima download cache?
Operating system images and tools Lima has downloaded, kept so new virtual machines don't download them again.
Safe
Its owner recreates it by itself when it needs it, and nothing you made is lost.
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What it is
When Lima creates a virtual machine, it downloads the operating system image and related tools and keeps a copy here for the next machine. Each machine has its own disk, so existing machines don't depend on this folder. Colima and other tools built on Lima use it too.
If it's removed
Creating a new virtual machine downloads its image again.
How it's removed
Lima's own cleanup command (limactl prune), run by the app.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it. Removing it is Pro, after a review sheet that lists every move and command. It starts checked in the Cleanup checklist, except inside Documents or Desktop.
Sources
- lima-vm.io/docs/dev/internals
- lima-vm.io/docs/reference/limactl_prune
- github.com/lima-vm/lima/blob/master/cmd/limactl/prune.go
Last checked on 26 Sep 2026. Every entry is written and checked by hand; the app and the command-line tool use the same words.