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16explorer

A small native macOS file explorer that measures folder sizes on demand.

Z · v1.0

Personal use

Overview

16explorer is a productivity app for macOS, made by Z. A small native macOS file explorer that measures folder sizes on demand. It’s made for Mac users who want to see what is taking up space, and want a few things Finder does not do. The latest version is 1.0, released Aug 23, 2026. It was built with help from Claude Code.

16explorer is a small native macOS file explorer I built for myself, mainly because I wanted to see folder sizes without waiting for Finder.

What it does

  • Folder Sizes on demand. Turn it on and folders are measured recursively in the background, four at a time, with cached results. Or right-click one folder and choose Calculate Size.
  • Opens on Downloads, with browser-style Back / Forward / Up (⌘[ ⌘] ⌘↑)
  • Sidebar tree plus a Name / Size / Modified table. The folder on screen is watched, so new files show up on their own.
  • New File from the context menu (.txt, .py, .sql, .docx, .xlsx, .pptx). The Office files come from real blank templates, so Word, Excel and WPS open them cleanly.
  • Drag-to-move onto any folder, row or path segment, with every drop confirmed. Copy / Cut / Paste work with Finder in both directions. Delete always goes to the Trash.
  • Pins for folders, files and apps. A pinned app opens the selected files with that app.
  • An Applications popover: type to filter, press Return to launch
  • A Preview column for images and text, with Quick Look thumbnails for PDFs, video and Office files
  • Hidden files toggle (⇧⌘.)

Install

Build with ./Scripts/make_dmg.sh, then drag 16explorer to Applications. It's ad-hoc signed, not notarized, so right-click → Open the first time. Requires macOS 14.

Why people use it

Made for: Mac users who want to see what is taking up space, and want a few things Finder does not do.

  • Folder sizes, on demand

    Recursive sizes computed in the background and cached, so Finder never makes you wait.

  • Browser-style navigation

    Back, Forward and Up, opening on Downloads where files land.

  • New Office files that open cleanly

    Create .docx, .xlsx and .pptx from real blank templates.

  • Pins that do more

    Pin a folder, file or app. A pinned app opens your selected files.

  • Safe by default

    Every drag-move is confirmed, and delete always goes to the Trash.

  • Instant preview

    Images, text and Quick Look thumbnails in a side column.

Version history

  1. v1.0 First build

    · Latest

    • Folder sizes on demand, hidden files, Back / Forward / Up
    • Live folder watching
    • Pins, Applications popover, Preview column
    • Drag-to-move, Copy / Cut / Paste with Finder
    • Its own app icon; build number taken from the commit count

Dev notes

How Z built 16explorer: progress, problems, and working with AI.

No dev notes published yet.

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