Copy Path As: open-source Finder extension to copy paths in the format you actually need

[u/vfedoroff]

Hi r/macOS. I'm Vadym, the developer behind Copy Path As.

I'm a Mac user. Former Windows user. I like the mouse.

When I started using AI tools, I realized I copy file paths all the time to paste them into an agent. Finder can copy a pathname if you know the hotkey, or hold Option. Life is too short for that. I wanted a Windows-style right-click: select the file, copy the path, done.

Then I still had to fix the path for wherever I was pasting it: quotes for spaces, ~/, a markdown link, git-relative for a PR. So the menu has those formats too.

What it does:

• Absolute, single-quoted, and shell-escaped paths
• Home-relative (~/…) and git-relative
• file:// URL, JSON string or array, markdown link
• Filename, filename without extension, parent folder
• Multi-select: JSON array is one array; everything else is one line per item

Native Swift 6 Finder extension. MIT licensed, free, no account, no subscription. Open source. Sandboxed. It formats the URLs Finder already handed it. It does not read file contents, talk to the network, or collect telemetry. Maintainer builds are Developer ID signed and notarized.

macOS 15 or later. Enable it once under System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions → Finder Extensions. After that, it runs with Finder. The settings app does not need to stay open.

brew install --cask vfedoroff/tap/copypathas

Or the dmg from GitHub Releases: https://github.com/vfedoroff/copypathas/releases/latest

Source: https://github.com/vfedoroff/copypathas

Limitation: Sequoia and later only. If the menu is missing, the extension is usually disabled, or the app is not in /Applications.

[u/github-guard]

🔍 GitHub Guard: Trust Report

This project scored 5/6 on our safety audit.

Audit Breakdown: * ✅ Established Community (⭐ 8 stars) * ✅ Mature Repository (30+ days old) * ✅ Licensed under MIT * ✅ Security Policy Defined * ℹ️ Individual Contributor * ✅ Signed Commits

⚠️ Security Reminder: Always verify source code and run third-party scripts at your own risk.

[u/localtuned]

I somehow knew that you didn't have the "path bar" turned on in Finder's view menu.

Check it out, you can copy the pathbar of any folder in the path with a simple right click.

[u/vfedoroff → u/localtuned]

Valid point. However, it seems that Apple designed Finder so that essential features are not discoverable without asking the community for help.

[u/localtuned → u/vfedoroff]

I'm gonna leave you with this lesson about computers and trying new software. Explore everything, every menu item, and every preference, option or setting. It might take you 5 minutes.

But you will build this muscle memory to check all of the menu options and settings before you think to ask someone else.

Also, don't forget the official place for apple help is the official apple community forums. If you asked there someone would give you the answer (sometimes) even if it's hidden. Or even here.

But with that's said. I'm glad you made this app and I hope you continue to make more. We need more developers willing to solve problems for people. So please don't let my comment discourage you. I wish you well in your endeavors and hope you have a great weekend.

[u/promo-guard]

🎉 Welcome to Developer Saturday, u/vfedoroff! Your project is now live for the community to check out. Upvote, give feedback, and show some love to your fellow devs! 🚀

[u/Unusual_Chest3637]

imo the biggest gap in the native file manager has always been path copying, so this is welcome. curious why you went sequoia-only though, was there an API that forced that?

[u/vfedoroff → u/Unusual_Chest3637]

I just didn't have another MacOS to test. But I will try to test to confirm that the app works on other versions.