Tidy

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Tidy is a native macOS menu bar utility (a system automation tool) that performs automated file management and cleanup tasks on-device. It operates as a background daemon, monitoring specific user folders for new files.
2. Core Value Proposition: Tidy exists to eliminate repetitive manual file organization on Mac, specifically targeting Desktop screenshot clutter, leftover disk image mounts, and unsorted Download folders. Its core value is hands-free automation with on-device privacy, leveraging Apple Intelligence for intelligent file processing without cloud dependency.

Main Features

1. Intelligent Screenshot Archiving with On-Device OCR: Tidy automatically detects new screenshots saved to the Desktop, extracts text from them using on-device Optical Character Recognition (OCR) powered by Apple's Vision framework, and renames the file based on the extracted content. For example, "Screenshot 2024-03-15 at 14.22.10.png" is moved to a designated archive folder and renamed to something like "invoice-march-2024.png". This process occurs entirely locally; no image data is sent to external servers.
2. Automatic DMG Cleanup & Installer Ejection: After a user installs an application from a .dmg file, Tidy automatically ejects the mounted disk image volume from the Finder and moves the original .dmg installer file to the Trash. This solves the common problem of having multiple "Install" disks cluttering the desktop post-installation.
3. Rule-Based Downloads Sorting with Natural Language: Tidy monitors the ~/Downloads folder for new files. Users can create custom sorting rules using plain English instructions (e.g., "Move PDFs to the Documents folder," "Put Zoom recordings in the Meetings folder"). These rules are interpreted and executed locally by Apple Intelligence models, enabling complex, context-aware organization without predefined patterns or scripting. The app only acts on new files and has a strict policy of never deleting user content.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Manual digital clutter management. Users waste time constantly organizing files, renaming ambiguous screenshots, manually ejecting disk images, and sifting through chaotic Downloads folders. This disrupts workflow and reduces productivity.
2. Target Audience: The primary personas are knowledge workers (writers, analysts, managers), developers and designers who take frequent screenshots for documentation/bug reporting, and general Mac power users who value an organized system and privacy. It's ideal for anyone who frequently downloads files or installs software.
3. Use Cases: Essential for users who need a clean desktop for focused work, for teams that share screenshots and need them to be self-documenting, for individuals who install software frequently and want to avoid disk image clutter, and for anyone who wants a fully automated, private system for keeping their Downloads folder organized according to personal logic.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike manual organization or simple folder action scripts, Tidy offers intelligent, context-aware automation. Compared to cloud-based automation services (e.g., IFTTT, cloud OCR tools), Tidy performs all processing 100% on-device, ensuring maximum data privacy and speed. Its one-time purchase model contrasts sharply with subscription-based utility software.
2. Key Innovation: The integration of Apple Intelligence for building and executing natural language sorting rules is its core innovation. This allows for highly personalized and complex automation without requiring users to learn scripting languages or use inflexible, pre-set rules. The combination of system-level folder monitoring, native frameworks (Vision for OCR), and on-device AI creates a uniquely powerful and private automation layer for macOS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Tidy send my screenshots or files to the cloud? No. Tidy performs all processing, including Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for screenshot renaming and natural language rule interpretation, completely on your Mac using Apple's on-device frameworks and Apple Intelligence. No file data is ever transmitted to external servers.
2. Can Tidy delete my files by accident? Tidy is designed with a strict "never delete" policy. Its functions are limited to moving and renaming files (like archiving screenshots, sorting downloads) and moving installer .dmg files to the Trash (where you can still recover them). It cannot permanently erase your data.
3. How do the natural language rules for sorting Downloads work? You write instructions in plain English (e.g., "Put all invoices from Acme Corp into the Finance folder"). Apple Intelligence on your Mac interprets these instructions, creates a rule, and Tidy applies it to new files arriving in your Downloads folder. The rules are built and executed locally.
4. Is Tidy a subscription service? No. Tidy is available for a one-time purchase price of $9. There is no recurring subscription fee, and future updates for the current major version are typically included.
5. What versions of macOS does Tidy support? Tidy requires a macOS version that supports Apple Intelligence. You must check the official website (tidymacapp.com) for the specific minimum system requirements, as they depend on Apple's AI hardware and software compatibility.