Where Does Yay Store Packages and Cache?
Yay AUR helper build cache, package files and config on Arch Linux.
Last updated
Yay builds AUR packages in its cache directory under the home folder, keeping cloned sources, built packages and install logs per package. System upgrades with yay pull repo and AUR updates together.
The cache grows with every build and cleans with flags, which matters on small home partitions. Config lives in the XDG config home with answers, editor and pager preferences. Removing the cache never breaks installed software; it only forces rebuilds next update.
Where Yay stores this, by platform
~/.cache/yay (builds) plus ~/.config/yay (config)
Per package subfolders hold sources and .pkg.tar.zst builds. Prune with yay -Sc for uninstalled targets or -Scc for everything cached. Config file sets behavior like combined upgrades and diff viewing.
Frequently asked questions
how do I free space used by yay
Run yay -Sc to clear uninstalled package builds, or yay -Scc to empty the whole cache including installed ones. Installed software keeps working; only rebuild sources vanish.
where is the yay config file
Under ~/.config/yay, created on first run or by saving options. It stores upgrade behavior, editor, pager and answer defaults for AUR builds.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.