> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Terragrunt Cache

> This article explains how Terragrunts cache works and provides best practices for managing it effectively.

Terragrunt creates a hidden cache directory (`.terragrunt-cache`) as a local “scratchpad” to speed up your Terraform workflows. This cache helps with:

* Downloading remote Terraform configurations, modules, and providers
* Executing Terraform commands in an isolated workspace
* Ensuring that you can delete and recreate the cache at any time without impacting live infrastructure

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  The cache size grows as your project’s number of modules and providers increases. Plan for disk usage accordingly.
</Callout>

## How Terragrunt Uses the Cache

When you run a Terragrunt command, it:

1. Fetches remote Terraform configurations and modules into `.terragrunt-cache`.
2. Initializes a temporary working directory for Terraform to apply changes.
3. Cleans up after execution, leaving `.terragrunt-cache` in place for future runs.

<Frame>
  ![The image is a diagram explaining the Terragrunt cache process, showing steps like downloading Terraform config remotely, running Terraform commands, and indicating that the cache can be safely deleted and recreated.](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752884359/notes-assets/images/Terragrunt-for-Beginners-Terragrunt-Cache/terragrunt-cache-process-diagram.jpg)
</Frame>

## Pruning Cache Directories

Over time, you may accumulate many `.terragrunt-cache` folders across your repo. To reclaim disk space, run these commands from your project root:

| Action                       | Command                                                                      |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| List all cache directories   | `bash<br>find . -type d -name ".terragrunt-cache"`                           |
| Delete all cache directories | `bash<br>find . -type d -name ".terragrunt-cache" -prune -exec rm -rf {} \;` |

<Callout icon="triangle-alert" color="#FF6B6B">
  The delete command uses `rm -rf`. Double-check your working directory before running irreversible removal commands.
</Callout>

## Centralizing Cache Storage

You can direct all `.terragrunt-cache` directories to a single folder by setting the `TERRAGRUNT_DOWNLOAD_DIR` environment variable. This makes it easier to manage and monitor cache usage.

<Frame>
  ![The image instructs to set the environment variable "TERRAGRUNT\_DOWNLOAD" for Terragrunt Cache.](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752884360/notes-assets/images/Terragrunt-for-Beginners-Terragrunt-Cache/terragrunt-download-environment-variable-instruction.jpg)
</Frame>

### Configure Your Shell

Add the following to your shell configuration file (`~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, etc.):

```bash theme={null}
export TERRAGRUNT_DOWNLOAD_DIR="/path/to/central/cache"
```

Then, reload your shell:

```bash theme={null}
source ~/.bashrc  # or source ~/.zshrc
```

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  From now on, Terragrunt will store every `.terragrunt-cache` in `"/path/to/central/cache"`. You can periodically clean this directory to reclaim space.
</Callout>

## Links and References

* [Terragrunt Caching Documentation](https://terragrunt.gruntwork.io/docs/features/cache/)
* [Terraform Modules Overview](https://www.terraform.io/docs/language/modules/index.html)
* [Managing Remote State in Terraform](https://www.terraform.io/docs/language/state/index.html)

<CardGroup>
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