Swift Salamander User Guide

Start Here

• What Swift Salamander IsSwift Salamander is a file manager for Mac that shows two folders side by side.
• The Window at a GlanceThe main parts of the window, and what each part is for.
• Install and UpdateHow to install Swift Salamander on your Mac, and how to get a newer version.
• Install With HomebrewInstall, update or remove Swift Salamander with Homebrew.
• Install With NixInstall, update or remove Swift Salamander with an existing Nix setup.
• Free, Trial and ProWhat the free version includes, what the trial gives you, and which features need Pro.

Everyday Tasks

• Open Folders and Move AroundHow to open a folder, go back, go up and jump to your home folder.
• Select FilesHow to select one file, several files in a row, or files that are not next to each other.
• Copy and Move Files to the Other PaneHow to copy or move the selected files to the folder in the other pane.
• Rename a FileHow to change the name of a file or folder.
• Create a New FolderHow to make a new, empty folder in the folder you are looking at.
• Move Files to the Trash and UndoHow to move files to the Trash, how to undo the move, and how to delete files for good.
• Handle a File That Already ExistsWhat to choose when a file with the same name is already in the folder.

See Your Files Your Way

• Change the ViewHow to show your files as a list, a detailed list, icons or a gallery.
• Show or Hide ColumnsHow to show more information about each file, or hide information you do not need.
• Change the Order of ColumnsHow to move a column to the left or right, in the Column Order list.
• Sort FilesHow to sort the files in a pane by any column, and how to reverse the order.
• Group FilesHow to put files under headings, such as Kind, Size or Tag.
• See Hidden Columns in a Narrow PaneWhy some columns disappear when a pane is narrow, and how to get them back.
• Edit the SidebarTurn on Edit Mode to add, rename, recolour, group, move and remove what the sidebar shows.
• Work With TabsHow to open several folders in one pane, switch between them and close them.

Preview

• Preview a FileHow to see what a file contains without opening it, and how to zoom in on it.

Find Files

• Search Files QuicklyHow to find files by name, content or tag from the search box in the toolbar.
• Find Files With Advanced FindHow to search for files by name, pattern and rules, starting from the Find window.

Tools

• Create and Open ArchivesHow to make a ZIP archive from files, and how to open or unpack one.
• Convert Files to Another FormatHow to make a copy of a file in another format, such as PDF or PNG, with Convert To.
• Rename Many Files at OnceHow to rename a group of files with one set of rules, and check the new names first.
• Sync Two FoldersHow to make two folders match, and how to check the plan before anything changes.
• Find Out What Takes Up SpaceHow to see which folders and files use the most room on a disk.

Network and Cloud

• Connect to a Network FolderHow to open a shared folder on another computer or on a network drive.
• Connect to a ServerHow to connect to a server by its address, using SFTP or WebDAV.
• Use Cloud StorageHow to add a cloud storage account, such as Google Drive or Backblaze, to Swift Salamander.
• What "This Volume Has No Trash" MeansWhy some disks and network folders cannot use the Trash, and what that means when you delete a file there.

Works With

• Use Swift Salamander From RaycastOpen folders, selected files and saved workspaces from Raycast.

Settings

• Find a SettingWhat each section of Settings controls, and which guide page covers the task.
• Open Folders in Swift SalamanderLet Swift Salamander open folders and show files when other apps and Terminal ask for them, in place of Finder.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Keyboard ShortcutsThe keys for the most common tasks, grouped by what they do. These are the default shortcuts.

Help and Problems

• Report a ProblemHow to record what the app does when a problem happens, and send the recording to the developer.
• Get Help and Follow ChangesWhere to report a bug, request a feature, and read what changed in each version.

What Changed

What Changed in This User Guide lists every edition of this guide, newest first.