Marta Is a MacOS Finder Alternative With Lots of Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
Finder, the default file manager for Mac, is entirely mouse controlled. Yes, there are a few keyboard shortcuts, but this app is primarily designed for clicking and dragging files. This works for most people, but some of us prefer to do everything using the keyboard whenever possible.
If you also prefer keyboard shortcuts to dragging, try Marta , a free alternative file manager designed to quickly manage files without taking your hands off the keys. The interface is built on two panels, between which you can quickly switch by pressing the tab key. You navigate through the folders using the arrow keys, then press Enter to open the file. You can press Backspace at any time to move up a level. You can press Spacebar to browse the file, just like in the Finder, and type to open it. For an even more convenient option, you can press Command-Enter to choose which application to open the file in, all without using a mouse.
You can still use the mouse if you want, but everything will be faster if you use keyboard shortcuts that you can customize. However, the real answer is the Actions panel , which you can open with the default keyboard shortcut: Command-Shift-P. This will open an overlay where you can type the search command and then press Enter to run it.
This is great, especially when you’re just starting out, because it allows you to perform all the complex commands without having to remember all the keyboard shortcuts. What’s more, you’ll see the keyboard shortcuts as you go, allowing you to learn them over time.
If you need more commands, obviously you’ll want to open Terminal. You can activate Terminal directly in the application using the Command-O keyboard shortcut.
A terminal will open in the folder of your current panel. Even better, the terminal folder changes when your panel folder changes, and vice versa. Please note that the Terminal is tied to the active panel – you can create a separate Terminal for each window if you wish.
There’s a lot to learn here, but honestly, it’s best learned first-hand. Dive in and see if you like it. I’m not sure if I’d use it to replace Finder for all purposes, but it’s nice to have a power user tool for complex tasks every now and then.