The short answer
Usually, after a check. Might hold something you care about. Look inside before removing it.
What is it?
/opt/homebrew/Cellar (on Apple silicon) is where Homebrew installs every formula, one folder per package and version; Intel Macs use /usr/local/Cellar. The commands you run are links into these folders, so this is installed software you use, not a cache. Old versions stay next to new ones until a cleanup runs.
Everything installed with Homebrew. MoreRoom only removes outdated versions and orphan dependencies, never the packages you use.
What happens if you delete it?
Packages removed with Homebrew can be installed again with brew install, but nothing reinstalls them automatically, and anything that depended on them stops working until you do.
How to remove it properly
Never move Cellar folders to the Trash by hand, as that breaks Homebrew’s links. To shrink it, run brew cleanup --prune=all to remove old versions, brew autoremove to remove dependencies nothing needs, and brew leaves to see packages you installed yourself before removing unwanted ones with brew uninstall <name>.
Use the tool’s official command: brew cleanup --prune=all
Before you delete it
Check with brew uses --installed <name> whether other packages depend on a formula before uninstalling it.
How MoreRoom helps
MoreRoom recognises this item and labels it “Review first”: it shows what’s inside, its size and last use, so you can decide. Nothing is removed without your say, and everything goes to the Trash first, with Undo.
When the tool is installed, MoreRoom runs its official command for you (brew cleanup --prune=all) instead of deleting files — and tells you that this step can’t be undone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete Homebrew’s Cellar folder on Mac?
Usually, after a check. Might hold something you care about. Look inside before removing it. Packages removed with Homebrew can be installed again with brew install, but nothing reinstalls them automatically, and anything that depended on them stops working until you do.
Will Homebrew packages come back after I delete it?
Yes. Packages removed with Homebrew can be installed again with brew install, but nothing reinstalls them automatically, and anything that depended on them stops working until you do.
How do I remove Homebrew packages properly?
Never move Cellar folders to the Trash by hand, as that breaks Homebrew’s links. To shrink it, run brew cleanup --prune=all to remove old versions, brew autoremove to remove dependencies nothing needs, and brew leaves to see packages you installed yourself before removing unwanted ones with brew uninstall <name>.