open command in MacOS

The MacOS open command is a useful tool for opening files, folders, and applications directly from the terminal. With open, you can quickly access documents, images, videos, and more without having to navigate through the Finder. This command provides a convenient way to streamline your workflow and access files with just a few keystrokes.

open Syntax:

open [option] [parameter]

MacOS open Options:

Option	Description
-a	Opens the specified application.
-e	Opens the specified application for editing.
-t	Opens the file(s) with the default text editor.
-R	Reveals the specified file(s) in the Finder.
-n	Opens a new instance of the application even if one is already running.
-b	Opens the specified application bundle identifier.

open Parameters:

Parameter	Description
file	Specifies the file to open.
directory	Specifies the directory to open.
application	Specifies the application to open.
bundle identifier	Specifies the bundle identifier of the application to open.
url	Specifies the URL to open.

Caution

Exercise caution when using the ‘open’ command, especially when opening files with applications that may have unexpected behavior. Ensure that you provide the correct parameters to avoid unintended actions.

How to use open command:

Open a file with its default application

open file.txt

Opens the file.txt using its default application.

Open a specific file with a selected application

open -a "TextEdit" document.txt

Opens the document.txt file using TextEdit application.

Open a directory in Finder

open /Users/username/Documents/

Opens the Documents directory in the Finder.

Open a URL in the default web browser

open https://www.example.com

Opens the specified URL in the default web browser.

Open multiple files at once

open file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

Opens multiple files simultaneously using their default applications.

Open a file in a specific editor

open -a "Visual Studio Code" script.js

Opens the script.js file in Visual Studio Code editor.

Open a file with a specific application and wait for it to close

open -W -a "Preview" image.png

Opens the image.png file using Preview application and waits for the application to be closed before returning to the shell.

Open a file in the background without bringing the application to the foreground

open -g -a "TextEdit" notes.txt

Opens the notes.txt file using TextEdit application in the background without focusing on it.

Tip

Remember that the open command in MacOS is used to open files, directories, and URLs using the default application assigned to them.

How do I use open in MacOS?

To use the open command in MacOS, execute the following command:

open filename.txt

How do I open a directory with open in bash?

To open a directory using the open command in bash, use the following syntax:

open foldername

How can I open a specific file using a non-default application in MacOS?

To open a specific file using a non-default application in MacOS, use the -a flag followed by the application name like this:

open -a "TextEdit" filename.txt

How can I open multiple files simultaneously with open in MacOS?

To open multiple files simultaneously using the open command in MacOS, simply list the file names separated by spaces:

open file1.txt file2.txt

What options can I use with the open command in MacOS?

There are several options you can use with the open command in MacOS, such as:

• -a to specify the application to use
• --hide to open the file but not bring the application to the foreground
• --reveal to open the file’s location in Finder

How do I open a URL using the open command in MacOS?

To open a URL using the open command in MacOS, simply pass the URL as an argument like this:

open https://www.example.com

How can I open a file with its default application in MacOS?

To open a file with its default application in MacOS, you can simply use the open command followed by the file name:

open document.docx

Can I open a file in a new window of the default application using open in MacOS?

Yes, you can open a file in a new window of the default application by using the -n flag like this:

open -n document.docx

Applications of the open command

• Launching applications
• Opening files
• Opening URLs
• Opening folders
• Executing shell scripts