Guide
Guide
First-run permission, everyday shortcuts, and the questions that come up first. The capability list lives on Features.
First-time setup
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Launch and check permission
The first launch shows “Welcome to 2pFinder.” Full Disk Access lets both panes browse every folder on this Mac. You can choose Later and continue.
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Turn it on in System Settings
System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access → enable 2pFinder. If it isn’t listed, click + and choose 2pFinder.app. Open System Settings… in the app jumps to the same pane.
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Relaunch the app
Restart 2pFinder after granting access. While access is missing, the card offers Relaunch 2pFinder. When it is granted, the card reads that every folder is readable.
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Set startup folders and appearance
⌘, is global: language, appearance, hidden files, and launch at login. Theme, left/right startup folders, and favorites live in a sidebar profile and apply only to that window.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Windows & view | |
| ⌘N | New window |
|---|---|
| ⌘T / ⌘W | New tab / close tab |
| ⌘1 / ⌘2 | List / columns |
| ⌃Tab | Switch the active pane |
| ⌃⌘S | Toggle the sidebar |
| ⇧⌘. | Show hidden items |
| ⌘, | Settings |
| Navigation | |
| ⌘L | Edit the path |
| ⌘[ / ⌘] | Back / forward |
| ⌘↑ | Enclosing folder |
| ⌘↓ | Open the selection |
| ⌘F | Focus search. Esc clears it |
| Files | |
| Space / ⌘Y | Quick Look |
| ⇧⌘N | New folder |
| ⇧⌘R | Rename |
| ⌘D | Duplicate |
| ⌥⌘C | Copy to the opposite pane |
| ⌥⌘M | Move to the opposite pane |
| ⌘X / ⌘C / ⌘V | Cut / copy / paste |
| ⌘⌫ | Move to Trash |
| ⌥⌘⌫ | Empty Trash |
| ⌘I | Get Info |
| ⌃⌘R | Reveal in Finder |
FAQ
Desktop or Documents won’t open
Without Full Disk Access, macOS blocks Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and other protected locations. Relaunch the app after granting it. Empty Trash needs the same permission.
Does a drag copy or move?
A drag on the same volume moves. Hold ⌥ to copy, or ⌘ to force a move. A different volume copies by default. From the keyboard, ⌥⌘C copies and ⌥⌘M moves.
Can this replace Finder?
Finder is part of macOS, so it cannot be fully replaced. Settings can quit Finder at launch, and bring it back when 2pFinder quits. Both are off by default. Desktop and the Dock can still bring Finder back.
A Git clone doesn’t start
The opposite pane must be a local folder. The demo server list cannot be cloned. Gitea and GitHub are supported; GitLab and Bitbucket are not. Tokens stay in Keychain.
Will my windows and tabs come back?
Open windows and tabs are not restored on the next launch yet. Left and right startup folders can be saved in a profile.
Launch at login stopped after I moved the app
Register the login item again after moving 2pFinder. If it still fails, check System Settings → General → Login Items.
Copy finished, but there was no notification
Completion and failure notifications are off by default. Turn each one on under Notifications in global settings.