FinderSearch
A native Mac file browser with fast, fuzzy filename search. Browse folders, preview files, and manage your files in a familiar macOS interface.
Download for Apple Silicon · macOS 15+ · Usage & shortcuts · Release notes
Features
- Find files quickly. Fuzzy matching, relevance ranking, folder scope, and
filters like
ext:pdfandmtime:<7d. - Browse your way. Icon, list, column, and gallery views, Quick Look previews, and tabs that restore when you reopen the app.
- Get file work done. Drag selection, copy and move, batch rename, ZIP tools, tags, sharing, Trash, and undo.
- Stay in control. Transfer progress, cancellation, and clear choices when files conflict.
Built with SwiftUI and AppKit, powered by fsearch. Search runs locally; your files aren't uploaded.
Install
- Download the DMG and drag FinderSearch into Applications. When updating, quit the old app first and replace it.
- Eject the disk image and open FinderSearch.
- Enable Full Disk Access in System Settings → Privacy & Security to search protected folders, then quit and reopen the app.
The app is not yet Developer ID-signed or notarized. If macOS blocks it, choose Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Allow the first search index to finish building.
Permissions and troubleshooting →
Performance
In three warm, exact-filename benchmarks over 10,000 generated files, fsearch returned results in 0.49–1.14 ms, versus 7.06–7.30 ms for Spotlight (median times on an Apple M4).
These measure the search backend, including its IPC round trip, rather than rendered UI latency. FinderSearch waits 50 ms after typing stops; Return submits a pending search immediately.
Benchmark method, results, and reproduction →
Build from source
Requires macOS 15+, Xcode 16+ or compatible Command Line Tools, and Rust 1.85+ / Cargo.
git clone https://github.com/zeusinsight/FinderSearch.git
cd FinderSearch
./scripts/build.sh
open dist/FinderSearch.appThe build bundles fsearch automatically. Run tests with swift test -c release.
See CONTRIBUTING.md for development checks and the code layout.
Apple Silicon is verified; Intel builds remain unverified.
Current limits
FinderSearch is still early. Content search, AirDrop, Finder extensions, saved smart folders, folder merging, and persistent undo history aren't supported yet. Slow disks and cloud providers can still take time.
License & credits
MIT. The search engine is fsearch by Noah Dunnagan, vendored unmodified at v0.2.0 under its MIT license. FinderSearch adds the native interface and file workflows. See third-party notices.