I almost ran out of space! How Docker was playing tricks on me (and how I fixed it)

Recently I was trying to compile an application of React Native with Expo. To move forward, I needed to install the Java SDK and configure the JDK, but in trying to do so, Windows 11 threw the dreaded bug at me: “Falta espacio en disco”.

At first, it didn't make sense. I checked the storage settings and the picture was pretty confusing.

The problem: What was consuming my space?

I checked the memory usage in Windows, but the numbers didn't match the free space available. I was blocked, so I decided to ask for help from Cursor (my AI tool for development) by sending you a prompt in debug to analyze my environment.

Note: I have Cursor configured with advanced access to my environment, which allowed you to analyze the entire system in depth.

The Reveal of AI

The most incredible thing is that, in a single prompt, Cursor detected the problem without me having to give him specific details. He identified two main culprits:

  1. Docker Desktop: He was accumulating a massive amount of images and volumes that he no longer used.
  2. NPM Cache: He had a number of accumulated temporary files that were no longer needed.

The solution: Get to work

Cursor suggested cleaning up Docker and the NPM cache. These were the commands that saved my day:

  • To review how much space it was actually taking up:Bashdocker system df
  • Para liberar espacio definitivamente (el comando “mágico”):Bashdocker system prune -a --volumes Este comando elimina contenedores detenidos, imágenes no utilizadas y volúmenes huérfanos que estaban ocupando un espacio valioso.
  • Para limpiar la caché de NPM: (Simplemente ejecuté el comando estándar de limpieza de caché que ya muchos conocen).

Resultado

Después de ejecutar estos pasos, el espacio en mi disco volvió a la normalidad. Pude retomar la configuración del SDK y, finalmente, logré compilar mi proyecto para Android sin más contratiempos.

Conclusión: A veces estamos tan enfocados en el código que olvidamos los “monstruos” que viven en el fondo de nuestro sistema. Si usas Docker y te falta espacio, ¡no olvides revisar tus volúmenes e imágenes huérfanas!

¡Mensaje enviado!