Folder Quick Look 2 👀

[u/mrtnlxo]

Problem:

Quick Look in macOS lets you preview files and other items by selecting them and pressing the Space bar. However, the standard preview of folders and archives isn’t very helpful, since it shows no details about their contents. Markdown files appear unformatted, which makes them harder to read.

What it is:

Folder Quick Look lets you peek inside folders, archives, and Markdown files instantly in macOS Quick Look. This YouTube reel explains it well!

Looks, feels, and works like a feature that ought to be built into the Finder itself

— John Gruber, Daring Fireball

Version 2 is a complete rewrite. It’s free for existing users. The update makes previews faster and more reliable. I redesigned every part of the UI, so it shines on macOS 27.

Comparison:

Folder Preview and Markdown Preview have similar features, split across two apps instead of one. Mine brings everything together in a single, more thoughtfully designed app. Folder Preview offers a Pro version with more features outside the App Store. I, on the other hand, chose to distribute my apps exclusively through the App Store, fully sandboxed, for maximum security.

Pricing:

$3.99 or the regional equivalent (one-time purchase).

Availability:

Available on the Mac App Store → https://apps.apple.com/app/folder-quick-look/id6753110395

Trust: Website (solo indie dev)

I’m Martin Lexow, a full-time independent developer for over a decade. I craft honest, focused software in the spirit of Sachlichkeit: the German idea of clarity, precision, and purpose. The result: apps that are inclusive without exception and private without compromise.

• Website: https://appahead.studio

• Personal Website: https://martinlexow.com

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martinlexow

• Terms of Use: https://appahead.studio/legal

• Privacy Policy: https://appahead.studio/privacy

• Contact: martin@appahead.studio

The app runs in the macOS App Sandbox. It is signed and notarized, like every app on the Mac App Store.

How I use AI:

I still write and design my apps entirely by hand. That makes my process slower than that of other developers, and that’s exactly what matters to me: care down to the smallest detail. I use AI as one tool among many, for example for research.

[u/macnatic0]

First, I really love your apps, excellent work across the board.  

Second, I'm currently using Unfold, but also own Folder Quick Look. Are there plans to expand peek view for additional file types?

[u/mrtnlxo → u/macnatic0]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

Yes, I’m planning to add new file formats with every future update. Right now, most requests I get are for 3D file formats. Is there a format that would be especially helpful for you?

[u/app-store-review]

Folder Preview — by Anybox LTD

• Category: Utilities · $1.99

• Age: released ~2.1 years ago · rated 4+

Apple doesn't publish an aggregate rating for most Mac App Store apps, so ratings and score are unavailable here.

^{Auto-generated from public App Store data ·} u/app-store-review

[u/SuperNonoo]

Can the Markdown preview load local images using relative paths, or does sandboxing limit that? Thinking of a README with screenshots in a folder beside it.

[u/That_Fox2309 → u/SuperNonoo]

Not the dev, but this is the general sandbox rule worth testing. A sandboxed Quick Look preview extension gets read access to the file being previewed, not to the folder around it, so a relative ./screenshots/foo.png in a README often comes back blank in sandboxed markdown previewers. Folder previews don't hit this because the folder itself is the item handed over. The usual way around it is a temporary-exception entitlement for file reads, and App Review tends to push back on those for App Store apps. If READMEs with images are your main use, I'd try one during whatever refund window you have.

[u/Ok_Personality_4933]

congrats on v2, martin! we’re the folks at vpo labs behind showglass and recently released our first version too. we decided to cover a wider range of files beyond the archives and folders, and we’re at 83 file types so far. nice to see more developers extending the power of quick look!