CodeLook

Product Introduction

1. Definition: CodeLook is a macOS Quick Look system extension, a native application that integrates directly into the macOS Finder and system preview framework. It is a specialized tool for instant, syntax-highlighted code file previews.
2. Core Value Proposition: It exists to eliminate the friction of opening large IDEs or text editors just to peek at a file's contents. CodeLook provides instant, editor-accurate code previews directly in Finder, Spotlight, and file dialogs, prioritizing privacy, performance, and visual fidelity with a one-time purchase model.

Main Features

1. Deep Theme Integration: CodeLook applies themes comprehensively, coloring not just syntax tokens but also the background, gutter, line numbers, and separators. This ensures the preview is a pixel-perfect match for your chosen text editor's theme. It works by parsing and applying the color definitions from Zed editor theme files (JSON format) to its native rendering engine.
2. Tree-sitter Powered Syntax Highlighting: Unlike regex-based highlighters, CodeLook uses Tree-sitter, a robust incremental parsing library. It employs the same language grammars as Zed and Neovim to build a concrete syntax tree for each supported file, enabling accurate, context-aware tokenization and coloring, even for complex syntax like Swift regex literals.
3. Extensive Theme Library & Customization: Users gain access to over 700 themes from the public Zed extension registry, installable in one click. The app supports system-wide dark/light mode auto-switching, allows the use of any installed macOS font with full typographic weight (bold, italic) support, and offers manual settings for line wrapping and numbers. Advanced users can create custom themes using a documented, simplified JSON format.
4. Native Performance & Privacy: Built entirely in Swift as a native macOS application and extension, CodeLook delivers instant previews regardless of file size by streaming rendered output. It operates with 100% privacy: no data collection, analytics, or network calls except for theme catalog browsing and downloads initiated by the user. Files are read and processed locally.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: The inefficiency and context-switching required to open a dedicated code editor or IDE simply to identify or glance at the contents of a source code file within the macOS Finder or a file dialog.
2. Target Audience: Software developers, DevOps engineers, data scientists, system administrators, and technical content creators who frequently navigate and manage code repositories, configuration files, or scripts directly in the macOS Finder.
3. Use Cases: Quickly verifying the contents of a file in a downloaded Git repository before opening it in an IDE; previewing a configuration (YAML, JSON) or script (.sh, .py) file from a Finder window or an "Open" dialog; using Spotlight search to find and instantly inspect a code snippet without launching a full editor.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike basic Quick Look plugins or other preview tools, CodeLook's use of Tree-sitter guarantees parsing accuracy over pattern matching. Its deep theming from the Zed ecosystem offers vastly superior visual customization compared to standard previews. Its one-time purchase model contrasts with subscription-based competitor tools.
2. Key Innovation: The seamless integration of the Zed editor's theme ecosystem and Tree-sitter grammar system into the macOS Quick Look framework. This combination delivers editor-grade syntax highlighting and theming in a system-level, instantaneous preview pane—a capability not natively provided by macOS or most editors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does CodeLook work with Spotlight and Open/Save dialogs on Mac? Yes, CodeLook is a system-level Quick Look extension. It works anywhere macOS provides a file preview, including Finder, Spotlight search results, and standard Open/Save file dialogs.
2. How does CodeLook handle privacy and data collection for previewing code files? CodeLook has a strict no-data-collection policy. All file processing for syntax highlighting and preview rendering occurs locally on your Mac. The application does not include analytics or tracking, and files are never transmitted to external servers.
3. Why won't CodeLook preview .html or .ts files on my Mac? This is a system limitation. macOS reserves the .html and .ts file extensions for its own built-in Quick Look generators, and these cannot be overridden by third-party extensions like CodeLook.
4. Can I use my own custom color theme from VS Code or Sublime Text with CodeLook? While CodeLook uses the Zed theme format natively, you can create a custom theme for it. The process involves mapping your preferred colors to CodeLook's documented token set using a simplified JSON structure, as outlined in the official documentation.
5. Is CodeLook a subscription service or a one-time purchase? CodeLook is a one-time purchase application with no subscription fees or in-app purchases. You pay once to own a permanent license for the app, including all current features and future updates.