
Sift—a command bar that docks under your Finder window: type "jpg", "zip", or plain English to act on selected files (one-time $14.99)
I'm the developer. Sift docks a command bar beneath your frontmost Finder window—select some files, type what you want done, hit Enter.
The problem
Batch file work on a Mac lives in an awkward gap—renaming, converting, or archiving a handful of files is too small to script, too repetitive by hand, and Finder's built-ins only go so far. So you end up in Terminal for a one-off sips incantation, or converting exports one file at a time.
https://i.redd.it/u0ruivad5dkh1.gif
How Sift handles it
- Hundreds of common operations are instant presets with zero AI: type "jpg" and the selected PNGs convert, "zip" archives the selection, "select all png" sets Finder's actual selection—the files get selected in Finder, ready for you to work with
- Plain-language commands the presets don't match ("resize these to 1000px wide", "select files over 5mb") go to a local model: Sift detects Ollama and can pull qwen3:4b in one click, or you can point it at any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Your file contents never touch a cloud API
- Anything that modifies files shows you the exact shell command before it runs; destructive commands (delete/overwrite/move) need an explicit red "Run anyway" click
- Renames show a before→after preview table first; there's an activity log with Undo. Read-only commands just run
- Also in there: a right-click Sift Finder action, a Shortcuts action, drag-files-onto-the-bar, saved rules ("web" → "resize to 1000px wide jpg"), and command history using up and down arrows (just like in a terminal)
How it compares
- Substage—the app that inspired Sift, happy to say so. Mine is my own take on the idea: preset-first with a local-endpoint-only model tier, and selection commands that set Finder's real selection so they compose with everything else. If the concept appeals to you, check out Substage too
- Terminal—same underlying power, but Sift shows you the command before anything runs and gives you Undo after
- Automator / Hazel—great for standing rules and watch folders; Sift is for the ad-hoc "just convert these real quick" moments that aren't worth building a workflow for
Cost
$14.99 one-time, 14-day free trial, no subscription, no account. Signed & notarized; direct download (it needs Accessibility + Automation permissions, so it can't be in the Mac App Store).
Download
https://kevintang.xyz/apps/sift/
Transparency
I'm Kevin Tang, the developer.
Portfolio/contact: https://www.kevintang.xyz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekevintang/
Privacy Policy: https://kevintang.xyz/apps/sift/privacy.html
Terms: https://kevintang.xyz/apps/sift/terms.html
Happy to answer anything — I'll be in the comments.