{
"$type": "site.standard.document",
"bskyPostRef": {
"cid": "bafyreiedbsa4monysid3kqlu3wncrfvt6o2sc3lspfyso4px4afmdcqnum",
"uri": "at://did:plc:25rdn5elo5izoxrmtis34zuk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mogxr2ksjah2"
},
"coverImage": {
"$type": "blob",
"ref": {
"$link": "bafkreif44fqsukuo6wnkr2hesx3f5nknpyprmmjj77mn7oy5mfvrzbccui"
},
"mimeType": "image/webp",
"size": 70204
},
"path": "/will_will_61d81dcc371f802/i-built-a-tool-to-reclaim-disk-space-from-steam-games-you-forgot-you-installed-2pga",
"publishedAt": "2026-06-16T22:41:16.000Z",
"site": "https://dev.to",
"tags": [
"showdev",
"gamedev",
"python",
"webdev",
"https://gamecleaner.netlify.app"
],
"textContent": "## The problem\n\nEvery few months my SSD hits 95% full. The culprit is always the same: AAA games I installed, played for a week, and never opened again. Steam's storage view shows size per game — but not how long since I last played. So cleanup was always guesswork.\n\n## What I built\n\nGameCleaner scans your Steam library and:\n\n * Sorts every game by size on disk\n * Flags titles you haven't touched in months (\"stale\")\n * Estimates total reclaimable GB\n * Backs up saves (userdata + Proton compatdata) **before** any removal\n * Lets you uninstall, clear shader caches, or move games between drives — dry-run by default, path-contained deletes\n\n\n\n## How it works under the hood\n\nIt parses Steam's `libraryfolders.vdf` and each `appmanifest_*.acf`, reads `SizeOnDisk` and `LastUpdated`, and walks the shader cache. Move actions copy → verify size → then delete the source, so a transfer can't leave you with a half-broken install.\n\n## Status\n\nEarly. Steam on Windows/Linux for now; Epic/GOG next. Landing + waitlist while I package the app.\n\nTry it / join early access: https://gamecleaner.netlify.app\n\nFeedback welcome — especially on per-game save locations I should cover beyond userdata/compatdata.",
"title": "I built a tool to reclaim disk space from Steam games you forgot you installed"
}