FileRouter

Product Introduction

1. Definition: FileRouter is a macOS system-level utility application that functions as an intelligent, rule-based file handler and default application manager. It operates as a background daemon, intercepting file-open requests from the macOS Finder and other applications.
2. Core Value Proposition: FileRouter exists to solve the problem of rigid, single-application file associations on macOS. It provides granular, context-aware control over which editor or application opens any file type, acting as a powerful "Velja for files" or "Choosy for files" solution, thereby enhancing workflow efficiency and user customization.

Main Features

1. Rule-Based File Handling Engine: The core of FileRouter is a conditional rules system. Users can create rules based on multiple file attributes, including file extension, parent folder location, file name patterns, and even system state. When a file is opened, FileRouter evaluates it against all rules and routes it to the application defined by the matching rule. This works for double-clicks in Finder and "Open With" menu selections.
2. Radial and Menu Bar Application Picker: For on-demand flexibility, FileRouter provides a radial menu (palette) and a menu bar dropdown. These interfaces display all configured applications for the current file type, often with keyboard shortcut badges. This allows users to bypass the default rule and instantly choose a specific editor, like 1Writer or VS Code for a Markdown file, without changing system defaults.
3. Centralized Editor Configuration and URL Scheme Support: Within its Settings, FileRouter maintains a master list of applications for each file type (e.g., .md, .txt, .js). Users can reorder this list to set default priorities. Crucially, it also allows configuration of custom URL schemes (e.g., x-callback-url), enabling it to open files in applications like Drafts or Obsidian with specific actions, far beyond standard file:// protocol handling.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: The inflexibility of macOS's "Always Open With" system, which locks a file extension to a single application. This forces power users, developers, and writers to constantly use the "Open With" context menu or change system defaults manually, creating friction in multi-tool, context-dependent workflows.
2. Target Audience: The primary user personas are macOS power users, software developers (who work with code, configs, and markdown), technical writers, researchers, and productivity enthusiasts who use multiple specialized editors (e.g., VS Code for coding, iA Writer for drafting, Obsidian for notes) and require context-specific file handling.
3. Use Cases: A developer can set a rule to open all .js files in a /work/project-a folder in VS Code, but open .js files in a /work/quick-scripts folder in Nova. A writer can have all Markdown files in a "Drafts" folder open in iA Writer, while files in a "Blog" folder open in Ulysses. A user can set a hotkey to open the current file in both a Markdown editor and a preview app like Marked simultaneously.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike system preferences or one-trick utilities, FileRouter is not a simple default switcher. It is a comprehensive routing engine. Compared to manual methods or scripted solutions, it offers a robust, GUI-driven, and non-destructive way to manage file associations without altering the underlying macOS Launch Services database.
2. Key Innovation: The integration of a conditional rule engine with system-level file open interception. This combination of deep system integration and user-programmable logic allows for dynamic decision-making (based on folder, name, etc.) that is impossible with native macOS features or most competing apps, which typically only offer static application pickers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does FileRouter for Mac work with my existing default apps? FileRouter sits between your file open request and the operating system. It does not change your system's registered default application. Instead, it intercepts the request, applies your rules, and then launches the file in your specified app, leaving your global macOS "Open With" defaults untouched and reversible.
2. Can FileRouter handle URL schemes and advanced app actions? Yes, a key feature of FileRouter is its support for custom URL schemes. You can configure it to open a file not just in an app, but with a specific action, such as creating a new note in Drafts or opening a file in a particular Obsidian vault, enabling deep workflow automation beyond simple file opening.
3. Is FileRouter a subscription or a one-time purchase? FileRouter is a one-time purchase with a 7-day free trial. It follows a traditional paid license model, not a subscription. The intro price is $15.99 (normally $19.99), and it is also available via the Mac App Store and the Setapp subscription library.
4. What happens if no rule matches a file in FileRouter? If a file's attributes do not match any user-defined rule, FileRouter will fall back to using the standard macOS default application for that file type, ensuring no file becomes unopenable due to the app's configuration.
5. Does FileRouter support keyboard shortcuts and quick selection? Absolutely. FileRouter's radial menu and menu bar list prominently display keyboard shortcuts (badges) for each application. You can also define global hotkeys to trigger specific rules, such as opening the current Finder-selected file in a predefined combination of applications instantly.