The short answer
Usually, after a check. Might hold something you care about. Look inside before removing it.
What is it?
Datasets downloaded from the Hugging Face Hub are stored in ~/.cache/huggingface/hub as datasets--<owner>--<name> folders, next to cached models. They contain the raw dataset files for each revision you used. Sizes range from KB to hundreds of GB.
Datasets downloaded through the Hugging Face hub. They download again when a script needs them.
What happens if you delete it?
A deleted dataset is downloaded again when a script loads it. Large datasets can take a long time to fetch.
How to remove it properly
Run hf cache ls to see cached datasets and hf cache rm dataset/<owner>/<name> to delete one, permanently. Otherwise move individual datasets--* folders to the Trash in Finder (Go › Go to Folder… ~/.cache/huggingface/hub).
Quit the app that uses it, then move it to the Trash. Empty the Trash when you’re sure.
Before you delete it
Private or since-removed datasets may not be downloadable again.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete Hugging Face datasets in the hub cache?
Usually, after a check. Might hold something you care about. Look inside before removing it. A deleted dataset is downloaded again when a script loads it. Large datasets can take a long time to fetch.
Will Hugging Face datasets come back after I delete it?
Yes. A deleted dataset is downloaded again when a script loads it. Large datasets can take a long time to fetch.
How do I remove Hugging Face datasets properly?
Run hf cache ls to see cached datasets and hf cache rm dataset/<owner>/<name> to delete one, permanently. Otherwise move individual datasets--* folders to the Trash in Finder (Go › Go to Folder… ~/.cache/huggingface/hub).