Folder Peek pins folders to the macOS menu bar as individually customizable icons, providing instant access to frequently used directories, project folders, or application bundles without navigating Finder or switching to the Dock. The app is developed by Sindre Sorhus and available free on the Mac App Store.
Each pinned folder appears as a separate menu bar icon with an assigned SF Symbol and optional text label. Clicking the icon opens an inline menu showing the folder’s contents with file thumbnails and image previews. Files can be dragged directly from the menu into other applications, and each file or subfolder can be opened in a designated app without first navigating to it in Finder. The menu follows symlinks and aliases, so linked directories resolve correctly. Multiple folders can be pinned simultaneously, each configured independently.
A global keyboard shortcut can show or hide each folder’s menu. The shortcut optionally opens the menu at the current cursor position rather than under the menu bar icon, a detail that benefits users who work in lower areas of the display. Shortcuts integration allows Folder Peek menus to be triggered from automation workflows. The app requires no special system permissions beyond standard file access.
System requirements: macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later for the current App Store version. The last macOS 15–compatible release is available directly from sindresorhus.com/folder-peek. Compatible with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Pricing: (Free) Optional donations accepted. Available on the Mac App Store.
Limitations: The latest App Store release requires macOS 26, which is in beta as of May 2026; users on macOS 15 must download an older build from the developer’s site manually. Folder Peek displays folder contents but does not support file management operations (rename, move, delete) from within the menu.
Alternatives: Dock folders (built-in macOS feature, supports fan and grid display but no per-folder icons or keyboard shortcuts); Dropzone 4 ($4.99 one-time, adds file transfer and action support on top of folder access); OpenFolder (free, open-source, simpler folder-in-menu-bar utility without image previews).
Suitable for users who regularly switch between several project directories or resource folders and want immediate access from the menu bar without disturbing their current workflow.
