Docker.raw 59GB safe delete: safe Docker cleanup checklist

A practical first-pass checklist for Docker.raw 59GB and disk full. The goal is to recover space without deleting the folder that proves expensive to rebuild.

Do not delete Docker.raw first

Docker.raw is a container for Docker Desktop state. A large file can include images, containers, build cache, and volumes, so deleting it directly can wipe useful local state.

First read-only checks

Run `docker system df` first, then separate reclaimable build cache and unused images from volumes that may contain databases or app state.

docker system df
~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/Data/vms/0/data/Docker.raw

Usually safer cleanup candidates

• Build cache after checking active builds
• Unused images after confirming they can be pulled again
• Stopped containers that are not holding needed state

Review before deleting

• Local volumes before owner approval
• Docker.raw itself unless a reset is intentional
• Any database or queue state used by local development