AutoShelf

What is AutoShelf?

AutoShelf is a macOS app that watches folders and automatically organizes files based on rules you set. It can move, copy, rename, tag, trash, archive, and optimize files, and it runs in the menu bar so it can work in the background without requiring constant attention.

The app is designed for people who want downloads and other folders to stay organized without manual sorting. It includes built-in templates for common file-management tasks, and it can use file type, source URL, source app, size, age, and filename as rule conditions.

Key Features

• Folder watching and automatic actions: AutoShelf monitors folders and applies rules as files arrive or change, so organization happens without manual sorting.
• Multi-condition rules: Combine file type, source URL, download app, size, age, and filename in a single rule for more precise filtering.
• File actions: Move, copy, rename, tag, trash, archive, and optimize files, with explicit actions so the result is predictable.
• Built-in templates: Start with preset workflows such as organizing Downloads, deleting old DMGs, cleaning the Desktop weekly, sorting by source, or trashing installers.
• Source-aware organization: Use download URL and the app that downloaded the file to route items into different folders, such as GitHub files to a developer folder or Safari downloads for review.
• Menu bar operation: AutoShelf runs from the macOS menu bar and is meant to stay out of the way while it works.

How to Use AutoShelf

Install the app on a Mac running macOS 13 or later, then create a rule or start from one of the included templates. Choose the folders to watch, define the conditions that should match, and select the action AutoShelf should take when a file meets those conditions.

A typical setup might begin with a Downloads template, then expand into custom rules for different file types, sources, or apps. Once a rule is set, AutoShelf runs in the background and applies it automatically.

Use Cases

• Keeping Downloads organized: Sort PDFs, archives, installers, and other common file types into different folders as they are downloaded.
• Routing files by source: Send files from GitHub, Figma, or Slack into separate destinations based on the download URL or source metadata.
• Managing browser downloads: Separate downloads from Safari, Chrome, Arc, or Finder so files from different apps follow different workflows.
• Cleaning up temporary files: Automatically trash old DMGs, installers, or other files you no longer need.
• Preparing media and exports: Optimize JPG and PNG files to reduce file size while keeping images usable for sharing or storage.

FAQ

• Does AutoShelf work offline? Yes. The app operates locally on your Mac and the source says it makes no network calls.
• What macOS version is required? AutoShelf requires macOS 13 Ventura or later.
• Is there a free version? Yes. The source says one rule is fully functional for free, with unlimited rules unlocked by a one-time $19.99 purchase.
• What kinds of actions can rules perform? Rules can move, copy, rename, tag, trash, archive, and optimize files.
• Can AutoShelf use file source information? Yes. It can use download URLs and the app that downloaded a file as rule conditions.

Alternatives

• Manual Finder organization: Suitable if you prefer to sort files yourself and only need occasional cleanup, rather than automatic background rules.
• General Mac automation tools: Useful if you want broader automation across the system, but they may require more setup than a dedicated file organizer.
• Cloud-based file organization workflows: A fit if you want files routed into cloud storage services, though AutoShelf’s current focus is local organization on Mac.
• Built-in folder actions or scripts: A flexible option for users comfortable writing their own automations, but less guided than AutoShelf’s templates and rule presets.