← Newi Tools
Get Burrow

Finder,
replaced.

Burrow is a native Mac file browser built to take Finder's place: a Drop Shelf that keeps files through quits and restarts, a split view, a page for every project and a Downloads folder that tidies in one sheet. Every app's “Show in Finder” can open it.

FreemacOS 15 Sequoia or laterOpen source (MIT)
Why switch from Finder

Keeps what you know.
Adds what Finder doesn't have.

Burrow works on the same files and folders, with the views and shortcuts you already use. Here's what changes when you move in.

When you want to…FinderBurrow
Hold files for laterNot built in.The Drop Shelf, on ⌃⌥Space from any app. Holding keeps files through quits and restarts.
Work in two folders at onceOne folder per window or tab.A split view (⌘D). F5 copies and F6 moves to the other side.
Keep a project togetherTags and Smart Folders.Workspaces: hand-picked files from your Mac, iCloud Drive and external drives on one page. Nothing is moved.
Jump to a folderGo to Folder (⇧⌘G) works from a path.⌘K: type a few letters to reach any folder, workspace or tool.
Clear out DownloadsSort and group.Tidy into a folder per kind, with installers for apps you already have, likely duplicates and 90-day-old files flagged.
Free up disk spaceStorage lives in System Settings.Free Up Space: caches, old downloads and Mail attachments, each explained. All to the Trash, and ⌘Z brings them back.

Still there: columns, list, icons and gallerytabsQuick Look on SpaceFinder tagsyour folders, where they are

Features

Finder's job, done your way.
Fast, tidy and undoable.

A columns person?

Every view, done properly.

  • Icons, list, columns (⌘3) and gallery, with tabs and a split view (⌘D).
  • Glass folders that show what's inside, and files as cards with real previews.
  • Quick Look on Space, and ⌘K jumps to any folder.
Burrow's icon view: glass folders and files shown as cards with previews
Make it your default

“Show in Finder,”
shown in Burrow.

One switch, in the first-launch tour or in Settings. Every app's “Show in Finder” then opens Burrow, with the file already selected. One click switches it back.

  • Comes to BurrowEvery app's “Show in Finder” and reveal request. Burrow also asks macOS to open folders with it, and turns on Open at Login so ⌃⌥Space is always ready. It can start without a window, just the shelf.
  • Stays with FinderThe desktop, which Finder always draws. And some plain folder opens: macOS doesn't let any app take those over completely.
  • Give It Back to FinderBurrow › Give It Back to Finder… (also in Settings) undoes all of it in one click, and tells you when Finder is in charge again.
Burrow's settings: the Drop Shelf options and the Make Burrow the Default button
Removing Burrow later
  1. Choose Burrow › Give It Back to Finder… first, so “Show in Finder” doesn't point at a missing app. From Terminal: /Applications/Burrow.app/Contents/MacOS/Burrow --give-back
  2. Quit Burrow and move it to the Trash. If you turned on Open at Login yourself, switch it off in System Settings › General › Login Items.
  3. Optional: remove its settings with defaults delete app.newitools.Burrow and its folder at ~/Library/Application Support/Burrow.

Skipped step one? defaults delete -g NSFileViewer sends “Show in Finder” back to Finder.

And also

The details that make it yours.

Undo for everything

Rename, move, copy, new folder and Trash can all be taken back with ⌘Z.

Developer tools, behind a switch

An AI Agents page, installed packages, Xcode leftovers and ~/Developer shortcuts. Off for new installs.

Bookmarks

Save web pages next to your folders, with their title and preview image.

About This Mac

Your Mac's model, memory, disks and security settings on one page.

Markdown

Open .md files in their own Burrow window, nicely formatted.

Git at a glance

Open a repository and see its branch and how many changes it has.

Privacy

Your files stay yours.
Nothing is collected.

No account, no analytics, no tracking, no server of ours. Your files, folders and settings stay on your Mac.

Read the privacy policy →
  • Online in two cases onlyReading a web bookmark's title and preview image, and loading pictures inside a Markdown file you open.
  • Changes only when you askFile operations you choose, with the Trash first. The switch to replace Finder is off until you turn it on, and one click undoes it.
  • Developer pages read locallyThe AI Agents page keeps only server names from config files, never keys, and sends nothing anywhere.
FAQ

Questions

Does it replace Finder completely?

For everyday browsing, yes. Once it's your default, every app's “Show in Finder” opens Burrow, and it can open at login so it's always there. Two things stay with Finder: it always draws the desktop, and macOS doesn't let any app take over every plain folder open, so some of those still go to Finder.

Can I go back to Finder?

Any time. Choose Burrow › Give It Back to Finder… (also in Settings) and everything the switch changed is undone in one click. Do this before you uninstall Burrow.

Does it work with my existing folders and tags?

Yes. Burrow browses the same folders Finder does, in place, with nothing to import. Finder's colour tags show up in the sidebar and on your files, and tags you set in Burrow are written the same way Finder writes them, so both apps see them.

Which Macs does it run on?

Macs with macOS 15 Sequoia or later.

What permissions does it ask for?

Desktop, Documents and Downloads (macOS asks once for each), drives when you open them, and Automation for your browser the first time you add a bookmark. Full Disk Access is optional.

Can I lose files?

Anything you delete goes to the Trash first, and rename, move, copy and Trash can all be undone with ⌘Z. Tidy and Free Up Space only ever move files to the Trash. See the privacy policy for everything Burrow touches.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Burrow is free and open source under the MIT license. The source is on GitHub.

Move in.

Signed and notarized for macOS 15 or later. Burrow updates itself when a new version is out.

Download Burrow 0.1.0 ↓ View on GitHub Changelog