PeekX
Quick Look Extension for folder preview on macOS with file statistics
AI Summary
PeekX is a native macOS Quick Look Extension that previews folder contents directly in Finder without having to open them. The tool displays file statistics, size analysis, file type distribution and folder structures in a modern interface. Completely free and Open Source, unlike similar paid apps.
✓ Pros
- + Completely free and Open Source instead of €5-10 like alternatives
- + Native macOS integration with Quick Look (press spacebar)
- + Lightweight, fully sandboxed and secure
- + Universal Binary for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs
✗ Cons
- − Only available for macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or newer
- − Requires manual registration of extension after installation
Use Cases
- → Quick analysis of project folders by file types and size
- → Checking folder contents before opening or moving
- → Identifying large files in complex folder structures
- → Display Markdown files directly in Quick Look without editor
Who is it for?
Ideal for Mac users and developers who frequently analyze folder structures and need file overviews without having to open folders.
Tags
What is PeekX?
PeekX is a macOS Quick Look Extension that displays folder contents directly in Finder. A single press of the spacebar is enough: instead of opening the folder, an overview appears with file statistics, size analysis, file type distribution and the folder structure. The extension is open source and free, while comparable apps on the App Store typically cost between 5 and 10 euros. PeekX runs as a Universal Binary on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and is fully sandboxed.
Core features
- Folder preview via spacebar: Contents are displayed directly in Finder via Quick Look, without opening the folder.
- File statistics and size analysis: File types, distribution and storage usage at a glance.
- Large file identification: Helps locate storage hogs quickly in nested structures.
- Markdown preview: Markdown files can be read directly in Quick Look, without launching an editor.
- Native integration: No additional background process. The extension hooks into the existing Quick Look infrastructure of macOS.
Who is PeekX for?
Developers who regularly browse project folders benefit most directly. Anyone who wants to quickly check what is inside a folder before a deployment or file transfer avoids repeated opening and closing in Finder. The size overview also helps with prioritisation when cleaning up large directories such as download folders or build artifacts. macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later is required. Older systems are not supported. After installation, the extension must also be enabled manually in System Settings.
Context & alternatives
Quick Look Extensions for folders occupy a small but useful niche in the macOS ecosystem. Well-known paid alternatives such as Folder Colorizer or specialised Finder extensions address some of the same problems, but with different focuses. PeekX concentrates exclusively on preview and statistics, without colour-coding or renaming folders. Anyone looking for a lightweight, free solution for exactly this use case on Sonoma will find a direct alternative to the common paid options on the App Store.
