A curated list of Quick Look plugins for macOS that enhance file previews for developers.
Quick Look plugins is a curated list of macOS Quick Look extensions that enable developers to preview various file types directly in Finder. It solves the problem of needing to open applications to view files by providing instant previews for formats like Markdown, JSON, source code, archives, and videos. This collection streamlines the process of finding and installing these productivity-enhancing plugins.
macOS developers and power users who frequently work with diverse file types and want to accelerate their file inspection workflow without leaving Finder.
Developers choose this list because it aggregates high-quality, community-vetted plugins in one place, saving time searching and ensuring compatibility. It provides clear installation instructions and highlights both free and paid options, catering to different needs and preferences.
List of useful Quick Look plugins for developers
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Aggregates essential, community-vetted plugins like QLStephen for plain text and QLMarkdown for formatted Markdown, saving developers from hunting scattered resources.
Provides Homebrew commands for most plugins, such as `brew install qlstephen`, simplifying setup compared to manual downloads and moves.
Covers a wide range from archives with BetterZipQL to source code with syntax highlighting for 50+ languages via SourceCodeSyntaxHighlight.
Includes specialized plugins for JSON previews, iOS provisioning profiles, and app package inspection, addressing common development workflows.
Some plugins, like Peek, are noted as 'abandoned and buggy' in the README, which can lead to instability and lack of updates.
On macOS Catalina and later, users must run terminal commands to remove quarantine attributes, adding complexity to the installation process.
The list integrates paid plugins like Source Code Preview without clear filters, potentially misleading users expecting all-free solutions.
Plugins such as SourceCodeSyntaxHighlight may overwrite others, as noted in the README, risking compatibility issues and requiring troubleshooting.