OpenInTerminal
A Finder Toolbar app for macOS to open the current directory in Terminal, iTerm, Hyper, Alacritty, and other terminals or editors.
What is OpenInTerminal?
OpenInTerminal is a macOS Finder extension that lets users open the current directory or selected files directly in a terminal emulator or code editor. It solves the problem of manually navigating to a folder's path in the command line, saving time for developers and power users. The app supports a wide range of terminals (like iTerm and Alacritty) and editors (like VS Code and JetBrains IDEs).
macOS developers, system administrators, and power users who frequently use the command line and code editors alongside Finder for file management.
Developers choose OpenInTerminal for its deep Finder integration, extensive support for popular terminals and editors, and customizable workflow. Its lightweight Lite version offers a faster alternative, while the main app provides GUI preferences and advanced features like keyboard shortcuts.
Overview
✨ Finder Toolbar app for macOS to open the current directory in Terminal, iTerm, Hyper or Alacritty.
Use Cases
Best For
- Quickly opening a project folder in a terminal from Finder
- Opening selected files in a preferred code editor with one click
- Streamlining workflows for developers using multiple terminals (e.g., iTerm, Alacritty)
- Adding custom applications to the Finder context menu for rapid access
- Configuring keyboard shortcuts to open terminals or editors without using the mouse
- Using a lightweight, minimal tool (OpenInTerminal-Lite) for basic terminal launching
Not Ideal For
- Cross-platform development teams needing a consistent tool across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Users who prefer terminal-based workflows and scriptable automation over GUI context menus.
- Environments where Finder is not the primary file manager, such as server setups or alternative macOS file explorers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports over 10 terminals and 20 editors, including niche ones like Ghostty and CotEditor, as listed in the README's feature table, ensuring broad utility for diverse developer setups.
Adds toolbar buttons and context menu items for one-click access directly from Finder, streamlining the workflow without manual path navigation, as demonstrated in the GIFs.
Offers a GUI preferences panel for setting defaults, keyboard shortcuts, and language options across nine languages, making setup intuitive without editing config files.
OpenInTerminal-Lite provides a faster, minimal alternative with core functionality, preferred by the developer for its one-click speed, as noted in the comparison section.
Cons
The README explicitly warns that not all apps support custom integration, which can hinder workflow expansion for unsupported tools like certain niche editors.
Displaying icons in the context menu is not recommended on old Mac models, indicating potential performance or compatibility issues on older hardware.
OpenInTerminal-Lite lacks graphical preferences and keyboard shortcuts, forcing users to choose between customization and speed, as highlighted in the feature comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
TabbyA terminal for a more modern age
AlacrittyA cross-platform, OpenGL terminal emulator.
HyperA terminal built on web technologies
zoxideA smarter cd command. Supports all major shells.
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.