I need to access files/folders that are not part of this dialog that comes up the "Finder" or whatever its called. Some of these files might be hidden file types. I can get to them via my terminal no problem. However in this case I need to open the file with a text editor so I can copy and paste everything out of it easily.
But unlike Windows, unlike Ubuntu there seems to be no direct access I can find on the Mac so far that will just let me browse through the file system folder by folder as I please.
What am I missing?
12 Answers
Accessing hidden folders from Finder
If you need to go to a system folder not visible through the "normal" Finder, do the following.
Once you have the Finder dialog open, press Cmd+G. Here, enter the path to the folder you want to open.
Accessing hidden files or folders from a dialog
You can show hidden files from any file open dialog by pressing Cmd+Shift+.. Thanks to @kine for mentioning.
If you want to always display hidden files (those starting with a dot or hidden through the extended file attributes), enter the following in a Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUEThen, reload the Finder by option-clicking its icon and selecting "Relaunch".
You can also toggle this option more easily with an AppleScript. See this post for instructions on how to save the AppleScript as an application that you can use to toggle the option without having to use a terminal.
Directly opening system files through the Terminal
As per Andrew's comment above, of course you can just enter the following:
open -a TextEdit /etc/hosts
open -a TextEdit ~/.somehiddenfileOr, even shorter:
open -t /etc/hostsSince:
2
-tCauses the file to be opened with the default text editor, as determined via LaunchServices
I think the easiest way to toggle the visibility of hidden files is by using TinkerTool. Just check 'Show hidden and system files' and click 'Relaunch Finder'. It's free and also gives you access to a bunch of other useful OS settings.
