Mac Power Users

840: Finder is More Powerful Than You Think

156 snips
Mar 15, 2026
They explore powerful Finder workflows, from quick actions and toolbar tricks to Automator and AppleScript integrations. Hazel automations and Shortcuts get attention for downloads, cleanups, and remote triggers. Alfred, Raycast, Spotlight and other launcher tradeoffs are compared. File storage choices, tagging versus folders, and backup strategies round out the conversation.
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ADVICE

Prefer One Line Automations For Reliability

  • Use tiny, single-purpose automations for reliability and longevity.
  • Stephen and David both favor one-line AppleScript/Keyboard Maestro setups to apply window layouts or open workspaces, because short automations keep working for years.
INSIGHT

AI Is Democratizing Scripting And Automation

  • AI is democratizing automation by producing code snippets users can adapt quickly.
  • Listeners used AI to write OmniFocus plugins and HTML for websites, showing AI speeds small-to-medium automation and customization tasks.
ADVICE

Invoke Alfred With Space To Search Only Files And Folders

  • Use Alfred's space-bar file search to target files and folders and avoid clutter from other result types.
  • David uses space before queries in Alfred to search only files/folders, bypassing apps and shortcuts so he reaches folders faster than nested-year hierarchies.
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