ccdu review
A focused open-source choice for remote, terminal-based disk analysis and cleanup.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ccdu is an open-source terminal disk-usage analyzer for Linux and macOS. It scans files and directories, presents usage in a terminal interface with an optional squarified treemap, and helps technical users investigate space usage without leaving a command-line workflow. Duplicate-file detection adds a way to identify repeated content, while configurable exclusions and protected paths help narrow scans and guard important locations. The product is distributed as a single binary under the Apache-2.0 license, making it a focused option for users who value inspectable software and a free open-source model.
Its standout strength is the cleanup workflow. Rather than treating deletion as an immediate action, ccdu lets users stage deletions or moves into reviewable plans. Those plans use append-only journaling and support pause, resume, and crash recovery, giving longer cleanup jobs a structured record and a way to continue after interruptions. Remote paths can be scanned and committed over SSH, which fits administrators and technical teams managing systems from a terminal. Results can also be exported in ccdu or ncdu-compatible formats for saving or moving scan data between compatible workflows.
The trade-off is a narrow, technical focus. ccdu centers on terminal operation and documents Linux and macOS support; Intel Mac users need to build it from source. That makes it a strong fit for command-line users who need remote operations, staged changes, and durable cleanup plans. Users seeking a primarily graphical desktop analyzer, broader platform coverage, or a simpler consumer-oriented cleanup experience should choose an alternative designed around those priorities instead. For its intended audience, ccdu combines analysis, review, and remote execution in one focused tool.
ccdu pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Reviewable, resumable deletion and move plans
- Remote scanning and commits over SSH
- Treemaps, duplicate detection, and export formats
- Where it doesn't
- Linux and macOS only
- Intel macOS requires building from source
- Terminal-first workflow may not suit desktop-only users
ccdu fact sheet, pricing and score →
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