Figma caches every file you open, and design tools cache fonts and previews
Desktop design apps keep local copies of documents, thumbnails and font previews. Where each stores them and which are safe to clear.
Design tools cache aggressively because the alternative is waiting, and the files involved are large to begin with. The desktop version of a collaborative tool is the clearest case: every document you open is downloaded and kept so that reopening is instant.
Where each tool keeps things
du -sh ~/Library/Application\ Support/Figma \
~/Library/Application\ Support/com.bohemiancoding.sketch3 \
~/Library/Caches/com.figma.Desktop 2>/dev/null | sort -h- Document cache. Local copies of files you have opened, so they load instantly and work offline.
- Font previews. Rendered samples of every font available, rebuilt when your font library changes.
- Thumbnails. Previews for the file browser inside the app.
- Extension or plugin data. Whatever plugins store, which varies wildly.
What is safe
For a collaborative tool where documents live on the server, all of it. The cache exists for speed and offline access, and clearing it costs a download. For a tool where files are local documents, be more careful: the app's cache folder can hold recovery copies of documents that have not been saved.
The font connection
Design tools enumerate every font on the Mac and render previews for them, so a very large font library slows the app and enlarges its cache at the same time. Managing fonts by disabling rather than deleting is the fix for both at once.
Local design files themselves
Once the caches are dealt with, the documents are usually the larger number, particularly anything with embedded images. That is the same shape as video projects and their render caches: a small amount of irreplaceable work surrounded by a large amount of derived data.
Common questions
Where does Figma store its cache on a Mac?
In ~/Library/Application Support/Figma, with additional cached data under ~/Library/Caches. It holds local copies of documents you have opened so they load instantly and work offline.
Is it safe to clear a design app's cache?
For tools where documents live on a server, yes, since clearing only costs a download. For tools that work with local files, check first for unsaved recovery copies, which are sometimes kept in the same folder.
Why do design apps use so much space for fonts?
Because they render and cache a preview of every available font. A very large font library enlarges that cache and slows the app's font menu at the same time.
Does Figma keep files offline on a Mac?
Yes, documents you have opened are cached locally so they are available without a connection. That cache is the bulk of the app's storage and is rebuilt from the server when cleared.