VS Code Snap Bug Devours Gigabytes of Storage by Failing to Purge Deleted Files

A severe bug has been discovered in the Snap package version of Visual Studio Code, causing the application to consume massive amounts of storage space by failing to properly purge deleted files and temporary data. Users have reported losses of hundreds of gigabytes of storage, with some experiencing system slowdowns and crashes as a result.

The Storage Consumption Problem

The issue manifests when users delete files or projects within VS Code running on the Snap package. Instead of removing the associated data from disk, the Snap version retains these files in hidden directories, leading to exponential storage growth over time. Some users have reported their VS Code Snap installations consuming over 500GB of storage space, far exceeding the size of their actual projects.

This bug appears to affect primarily the Snap distribution of VS Code, which is designed to provide a sandboxed, secure installation method for Linux users. The Snap packaging system typically isolates applications from the host system for security purposes, but in this case, the isolation seems to be interfering with proper file system cleanup operations.

Developer Response and Workarounds

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix, though no specific timeline has been provided for when a patch will be released. In the meantime, affected users have discovered several temporary workarounds:

• Manually deleting the Snap package's cache directory located at ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/.
• Reinstalling VS Code using the traditional .deb package instead of Snap
• Using the official VS Code repository installation method
• Regularly monitoring and clearing temporary files within the Snap container

Impact on Development Workflows

The bug has significant implications for developers who rely on VS Code as their primary development environment, particularly those working on resource-constrained systems or managing multiple projects. The storage bloat can lead to:

• System performance degradation
• Unexpected disk space shortages
• Project loading delays
• Potential data corruption if the system runs out of storage
• Increased backup times and storage costs

The issue is particularly problematic for developers working with large codebases or multiple projects simultaneously, as each deleted file or project continues to consume space indefinitely.

Technical Analysis

The root cause appears to be related to how the Snap package handles file system operations and cleanup procedures. When files are deleted within VS Code, the application sends deletion commands to the operating system, but the Snap container's isolation layer prevents these commands from properly propagating to the actual file system.

Additionally, VS Code's internal caching mechanisms for IntelliSense, extensions, and project metadata continue to accumulate data even when projects are deleted, with no automatic cleanup process in place. This combination of factors creates a perfect storm for storage bloat.

Recommendations for Users

Until an official fix is released, users experiencing this issue should consider the following mitigation strategies:

1. Switch Installation Methods: Consider using the traditional package manager installation or downloading the binary directly from Microsoft's website
2. Regular Maintenance: Periodically check and clear the Snap package's cache directory
3. Monitor Storage Usage: Use disk usage analysis tools to identify and address storage bloat early
4. Backup Critical Data: Ensure important projects are backed up externally to prevent data loss during cleanup operations

Broader Implications for Snap Packages

This incident raises questions about the reliability of Snap packages for development tools and the trade-offs between security isolation and system integration. While Snap packages offer benefits in terms of security and easy updates, this bug demonstrates how the additional abstraction layer can introduce unexpected complications.

Developers and system administrators may need to reconsider their approach to application packaging and distribution, particularly for tools that require deep integration with the file system and system resources.

Looking Forward

As development environments become increasingly complex and resource-intensive, issues like this highlight the importance of robust testing across different distribution methods. The VS Code team will likely need to implement more comprehensive testing for Snap-specific behaviors and edge cases.

For now, users affected by this bug should monitor official VS Code channels for updates and consider alternative installation methods if the storage consumption becomes problematic. The development community will be watching closely for the official fix and any additional measures Microsoft implements to prevent similar issues in the future.

Related Links:

• VS Code Official Documentation
• Snapcraft Documentation
• GitHub Issue Tracker for VS Code