How to Launch Terminal Window in Current Folder on Mac

Launching a Terminal window in the current folder on a Mac can significantly streamline your workflow, especially when working with local files. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this efficiently.

Enabling the "New Terminal at Folder" Service

To open a Terminal window in the current folder, you first need to enable the "New Terminal at Folder" service. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open System Settings: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings."
2. Navigate to Keyboard Settings: In the System Settings panel, click on "Keyboard" and then select "Keyboard Shortcuts" from the menu on the left.
3. Enable the Service: In the "Keyboard Shortcuts" panel, click on "Services" in the menu on the left. Then, expand the "Files and Folders" section and select the options that say "New Terminal at Folder" and "New Terminal Tab at Folder."
4. Assign a Keyboard Shortcut: Double-click "none" to the right of "New Terminal at Folder" and press a key combination to assign a new shortcut key. For example, you can use Command + T.

Launching the Terminal Window

Once you have enabled the service and assigned a keyboard shortcut, you can launch a Terminal window in the current folder using the following methods:

1. Using the Context Menu:

   • Single-click on the folder where you wish to launch a Terminal window.
   • Right-click on the folder and select "New Terminal at Folder" from the context menu.

2. Using the Keyboard Shortcut:

   • Single-click on the folder where you wish to launch a Terminal window.
   • Press the keyboard shortcut you assigned earlier (e.g., Command + T).

3. Drag and Drop Method:

• You can also open a Terminal window by dragging and dropping the desired folder onto the Terminal icon in the Dock. This method works whether Terminal is open or closed.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Navigating to a Folder within the Terminal

If you need to navigate to a specific folder within the Terminal, you can use the cd command followed by the directory path. For example, to navigate to your Desktop, type cd Desktop or cd Desktop/Downloads. To see your current directory, type pwd (print working directory).

Opening a New Terminal Tab

To open a new Terminal tab without using Finder, you have several options:

• Keyboard Shortcut: Press Command + T.
• Menu Bar: Click the "Shell" menu and select "New Tab".
• Two-Finger Click: Issue a two-finger click on the Terminal window and select "New Tab".

Opening a Finder Window from Terminal

If you need to open a Finder window showing the current directory from the Terminal, you can use the following command:

open .

This command will open a Finder window displaying the current directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Drag and Drop Folders into the Terminal?

Yes, you can open a specific folder in the Terminal by dragging and dropping that folder from the Finder window onto the Terminal icon in the Dock. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the folder into an open Terminal window.

How Do I Open a Terminal Window in a Specific Folder Using the Command Line?

If you prefer using the command line, you can type cd followed by the directory path and then open a new Terminal window. However, enabling the "New Terminal at Folder" service is generally more convenient for this purpose.

By following these steps and tips, you can efficiently launch Terminal windows in the current folder, enhancing your productivity when working with local files on your Mac.