Tidey

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Tidey is a lightweight macOS menubar utility designed specifically for automated file triage and cleanup within the Desktop and Downloads folders. It operates as a background process, identifying stagnant files and facilitating rapid user decisions.
2. Core Value Proposition: Tidey exists to eliminate desktop clutter chaos efficiently. Its primary function is to provide a frictionless, non-disruptive method for users to systematically review and declutter accumulated temporary files, screenshots, and forgotten downloads, thereby reclaiming digital workspace efficiency and storage space without complex setup or ongoing subscriptions.

Main Features

1. Menubar Integration: Tidey resides permanently in the macOS menu bar, ensuring instant one-click access for triage sessions. This design minimizes interruption to workflow, allowing users to initiate cleanup only when convenient.
2. Contextual File Preview: Before prompting for a decision, Tidey displays a built-in preview of the identified file (e.g., image thumbnails, document snippets). This feature enables informed "Delete or Keep" choices without needing to open separate applications, significantly speeding up the triage process.
3. One-Click Delete/Keep Actions: The core interaction involves two simple, immediate actions triggered by a single click or keyboard shortcut. "Delete" moves the file directly to the macOS Trash for reversible removal. "Keep" automatically moves the file out of the cluttered area (Desktop/Downloads) and organizes it into a structured ~/Documents/Kept/ folder, sorted by year and month.
4. Passive Folder Monitoring: Tidey continuously monitors the user's designated Desktop and Downloads folders in the background using macOS file system events. It requires zero initial configuration or folder selection by the user, operating silently until files meet the predefined "stagnant" criteria (duration not specified by user, but implied as "a while").
5. Automated File Organization: When a user selects "Keep," Tidey handles the filing automatically. It moves the file to ~/Documents/Kept/ and creates subfolders based on the current year and month (e.g., 2024/10/), implementing a basic but effective chronological organization system without user input.
6. Privacy-First Architecture: All file processing occurs locally on the user's Mac. Tidey explicitly collects no user data, file contents, or usage analytics, ensuring complete privacy. File paths or metadata are not transmitted to any external servers.
7. Automatic Updates (Sparkle): Tidey utilizes the open-source Sparkle framework to deliver seamless background updates. This ensures users always have the latest features, performance improvements, and security patches without manual intervention.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Chronic accumulation of temporary files, screenshots, old downloads, and "save for now" items on the Desktop and in Downloads folders, leading to visual clutter, wasted storage space, difficulty finding important files, and reduced productivity.
2. Target Audience: This tool is essential for macOS users prone to desktop disorganization, including busy professionals (developers, designers, writers), students, remote workers, and anyone who frequently downloads files or takes screenshots but lacks time for manual organization. It's particularly valuable for users valuing simplicity and efficiency over complex digital asset management.
3. Use Cases:
   • Pre-Screen Sharing/Meetings: Quickly clean a cluttered desktop visible during screen sharing.
   • Recovering Storage Space: Identify and remove large, forgotten temporary files hogging disk space.
   • Reducing Visual Distraction: Systematically clear non-essential items from the immediate workspace (Desktop).
   • Basic File Triage: Establishing a simple habit of regularly reviewing and deciding the fate of stagnant files before they become overwhelming.
   • Minimalist Workflow Maintenance: Keeping primary workspaces (Desktop/Downloads) clear for active projects only.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike manual cleanup (time-consuming) or complex Digital Asset Management (DAM) software (overkill for basic clutter), Tidey offers laser-focused simplicity. It avoids subscription models common in cloud-based organizers and lacks unnecessary features like AI tagging or cloud sync, focusing solely on the "delete or file" decision for stagnant local files. It's more proactive than simple folder cleanup scripts due to its UI and preview.
2. Key Innovation: Tidey's core innovation lies in its passive monitoring combined with an ultra-simplified decision framework ("Delete or Keep") presented via a non-intrusive menubar interface. The automatic organization of "kept" files into a dated structure adds significant value without complexity. Its commitment to local-only processing and privacy by design is a key differentiator in an era of data collection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Tidey a subscription service or a one-time purchase? Tidey is exclusively a one-time purchase priced at $9.99 USD. There are no subscriptions, recurring fees, or hidden costs – you own the license for life, including all future updates.
2. Does Tidey permanently erase files when I click Delete? No, Tidey prioritizes safety. Clicking "Delete" moves the file to your macOS Trash (Bin). You can recover files from the Trash until you manually empty it, providing a safeguard against accidental deletion.
3. Where exactly do files go when I choose "Keep" in Tidey? Files you choose to keep are automatically moved from your Desktop or Downloads folder to a dedicated folder: ~/Documents/Kept/. Within this folder, Tidey organizes them further into subfolders by year and month (e.g., Documents/Kept/2024/10/filename.jpg).
4. Can I install and use Tidey on multiple Macs with one license? The standard Tidey license is intended for use on a single Mac. To use Tidey on additional Mac computers, you need to purchase a separate license for each device.
5. What are the macOS system requirements for running Tidey? Tidey requires macOS 15.0 (Sequoia) or a later version installed on your Mac to function. It is not compatible with older macOS versions or other operating systems like Windows.