How can i open terminal in mac from the folder

Opening Terminal in macOS from a Specific Folder

Learn various methods to quickly launch the macOS Terminal application directly within a desired directory, enhancing your command-line workflow.

Working with the command line is an essential skill for developers, system administrators, and power users. On macOS, the Terminal application is your gateway to the Unix-like operating system. While you can always open Terminal and then navigate to a specific directory using the cd command, there are much faster and more efficient ways to open Terminal directly from a desired folder in Finder. This article will guide you through several methods, from built-in macOS features to third-party tools, to streamline your workflow.

Method 1: Using Finder's Services Menu

macOS provides a powerful 'Services' menu that allows applications to offer context-sensitive actions. Terminal includes a service that lets you open a new Terminal window at the current Finder location. This is often the quickest built-in method.

1. Navigate to the Folder

Open Finder and browse to the directory you wish to open in Terminal.

2. Access Services Menu

Right-click (or Control-click) on the folder itself or on an empty space within the folder's window. From the contextual menu, hover over 'Services'.

3. Select 'New Terminal at Folder'

In the 'Services' submenu, you should see an option named 'New Terminal at Folder'. Click on this option. A new Terminal window will open, with its current working directory set to the folder you selected.

Method 2: Drag and Drop (Manual Navigation)

While not as direct as the Services menu, the drag-and-drop method is a fundamental Terminal trick that allows you to quickly get the path of a folder or file, which you can then use with the cd command.

1. Open Terminal

Launch the Terminal application from your Applications folder or via Spotlight (Cmd + Space and type 'Terminal').

2. Type 'cd '

In the Terminal window, type cd (note the space after cd). This command changes the current directory.

3. Drag Folder to Terminal

Locate the desired folder in Finder. Drag and drop this folder directly into the open Terminal window. The full path to the folder will automatically be inserted after cd .

4. Press Enter

Press the Enter key. The Terminal's current working directory will now be the folder you dragged.

Method 3: Using Spotlight and 'open .' Command

Spotlight is a powerful search tool in macOS. You can combine it with a simple Terminal command to achieve the desired outcome, especially if you prefer keyboard-driven workflows.

1. Open Spotlight

Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight search.

2. Search for the Folder

Type the name of the folder you want to open. Spotlight will display matching results. Use the arrow keys to highlight the correct folder.

3. Open Folder in Finder

While the folder is highlighted in Spotlight, press Cmd + Enter. This will open the folder in a new Finder window.

4. Open Terminal in Folder

With the Finder window for that folder now active, use the Services menu method (right-click > Services > New Terminal at Folder) or, if you have a custom shortcut, use that. Alternatively, you can use a third-party tool like iTerm2's integration or a custom Automator service.

Method 4: Third-Party Tools (e.g., iTerm2)

Many power users opt for alternative terminal emulators like iTerm2, which offer enhanced features and often better integration with Finder. iTerm2, for example, provides a dedicated 'Open iTerm2 Here' service.

iTerm2 Integration Preferences

1. Install iTerm2

If you haven't already, download and install iTerm2 from its official website.

2. Enable Finder Integration

Open iTerm2, go to iTerm2 > Preferences > Integration. Click on 'Install 'Open iTerm2 Here' Finder Integration'.

3. Use from Finder

Now, when you right-click on a folder in Finder, you'll see an 'Open iTerm2 Here' option in the contextual menu, or under the 'Services' submenu, which will open iTerm2 directly in that directory.