# How to manage local store data and clear cache

> Manage local data storage directories in Merca, clear cache and local data for individual or all stores, and protect cloud-saved store credentials.

Source: https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/store-data

This is local data on this computer: site logins, cache, extensions, and files in the store windows. It is not the stores in **My stores**, and it does not change the saved username and password.

In the desktop app, open **Settings** and use **Store data** to change the directory or clear data. This isn't available in the website. These settings apply only to this computer.

Quit the store browsers before cleaning up. Global cleanup covers all stores in the current data directory, including local data left by other accounts.

![Store data in Settings](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/store-data-directory.webp)

## Change the store data directory

This only changes where local data is stored on this computer.

1. Open the Merca desktop app and go to **Settings**.
2. Next to **Store data directory**, click **Browse…** and choose a folder.

You can also type a path. The new path is saved right away.

Changing the directory does not move existing local data, and it does not delete the old folder. The next **Launch** uses the new directory. Logins and extensions in the old folder stay where they were.

## Clear cache

This only removes disk cache on this computer. Site logins and extensions in the store windows stay. Stores on the account are not changed.

1. On **Store data**, click **Clear cache**.
2. Confirm **Clear all caches?** The description is **This removes the disk cache for every store on this computer.**
3. Click **Clear cache**. When it finishes, you'll see **Cleared caches.**

## Clear all local data

This only removes local browser data for every store on this computer, including cache. It does not delete stores in **My stores**. Saved usernames and passwords, **Authenticator**, **Passkeys**, and **Additional accounts** stay, and they come back the next time you **Launch**. Site logins are gone — sign in again. Extensions in the store windows are gone — install them again. Downloaded files outside the store data and cache directories are retained. For the download directory, see [How to set the download directory](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/download-directory).

1. On **Store data**, click **Clear all data**.
2. Confirm **Clear all local data?** The description is **This removes all local store data and caches on this computer.**
3. Click **Clear all data**. When it finishes, you'll see **Cleared local data.**

To install an extension again, see [How to install an extension](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/install-extension).

## Clean up data for an individual store

In the **My stores** list, open the **More** menu next to any store to clean up its local browser data on this computer.

**Note**: Before cleaning up, quit the store browser. Cleanup is blocked while its browser process is running.

![More menu for one store](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/merca-store-more-data.webp)

Merca provides two levels of data cleanup:

| Cleanup action | What is removed | What is retained |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Clear cache** | Files in the selected store’s disk cache directory | Active website login sessions, cookies, IndexedDB, and site storage data |
| **Clear local data** | All local browser runtime data and cache for the selected store, including cookies, login states, browsing history, and local extensions | The store configuration, bound credentials, and proxy node settings stored in your cloud account |

![Clear cache confirmation](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/merca-clear-cache-confirm.webp)

![Clear local data confirmation](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/merca-clear-data-confirm.webp)

The confirmation dialog clearly displays the target store's name. Important retention boundaries include:

- Clearing local data only resets the local browser environment on this device. It **does not delete** platform accounts, saved passwords, TOTP authenticators, or passkeys saved in your account.
- Downloaded files outside the store data and cache directories are retained.