Bazel output roots are never cleaned
- Dominant language
- Java
- Stars
- 25.8k
- Forks
- 4.6k
- Avg merge
- 2d 20h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 72
Description
### Description of the problem request:
For each workspace, there's an `output_base`. These directories are never cleaned, and so the output root can build up clutter over time.
For a reference point, the default `TMPDIR` is cleaned up by the OS after being 3 days stale. That seems way too short for Bazel, but having some sort of stale cleanup would be nice.
### Bugs: what's the simplest, easiest way to reproduce this bug? Please provide a minimal example if possible.
Use bazel from a number of different workspaces, see that their output bases stay there.
### What operating system are you running Bazel on?
macOS
### What's the output of `bazel info release`?
release 0.28.0
Contributor guide
Research direction
The issue names Bazel workspace output_base directories but no source files, tests, or entry points. Begin by locating the output_base lifecycle and existing cleanup behavior, then clarify a suitable stale-retention policy; done means stale output roots are removed without disrupting active workspaces.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- build-system
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 30/100