How to keep an iCloud Drive file on your Mac while optimizing storage

Apple finally gives you a sticky option.

- GLENN FLEISHMAN

iCloud Drive lets you have the best of both worlds: deep storage that provides a form of backup and syncs across all your devices. If you enable optimized storage in macOS in System Settings → Account Name → iCloud → iCloud Drive, your Mac automatically removes files in reverse order of the frequency in which you use them, if it needs to clear out space to avoid your startup volume from becoming too full. It leaves a placeholder file in the same location that you can access as if it were downloaded, and iCloud Drive automagically retrieves it when you try to preview or edit it.