How to open a Finder window even if one is open on a different space already, in Terminal

finderspacesterminal

I often use open . to open the current folder from Terminal.app. From time to time this doesn't work. The reason is that the folder in question is already open in some other Finder window on some other Space.

Hunting down this Finder window by searching all spaces takes too long. Neither do I really want to go a different space. I just want to open a new Finder window right there on the current space, regardless of other Finder windows open anywhere else.

I tried open -n . but this just hangs.

Best Answer

You might use a script like this:

#!/usr/bin/osascript

tell application "Finder"
    make new Finder window to POSIX file (system attribute "PWD")
    activate
end tell

The script above always creates a new window. This wouldn't create a new window if a window with the same name already exists on the current space:

#!/usr/bin/osascript

launch application "Finder"
set pwd to system attribute "PWD"
set text item delimiters to "/"
tell application "System Events" to tell process "Finder"
    set w to windows where name is text item -1 of pwd
    if w is {} then
        tell application "Finder" to make new Finder window to POSIX file pwd
    else
        perform action "AXRaise" of item 1 of w
    end if
    set frontmost to true
end tell

System Events only includes windows on the current space.

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Recall windows to the current space

I don't know how to fetch that window to the current space, but if you switch to the appropriate space where that window is located, you can click on the window title and while holding down the mouse button, press control + 1 to return that window the first space (or hold down control + whatever number space you want to drag it to).

MacOS – Open new terminal window in current space, regardless of other open terminals in other spaces

You can create a new service using automator (from the applications folder). At the top of the automator window, enter: Service receives 'no input' in 'any application'. Then, in the workflow, add 'Run applescript'. Make the applescript contain the following:

on run {input, parameters}

    tell application "Terminal"
        do script ""
        activate
    end tell

    return input
end run

(You can add any command you like into the do script line between the " " (e.g. something useful to run when terminal first opens like uptime if you like, or just leave it blank).

Save the service as 'Open Terminal' or whatever name you like. It should now appear in your services menu.

Then if you want to add a keyboard shortcut, you just need to go to System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Keyboard Shortcuts tab, select services in the left hand menu, and find your new service (its probably near the bottom). Just click in the space to the right of your service name, and assign it whatever keyboard shortcut you like, and hey presto! it should all work

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Recall windows to the current space

MacOS – Open new terminal window in current space, regardless of other open terminals in other spaces

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