Hazel

Overview

Hazel is a Mac automation application that monitors user-defined folders and automatically organizes files based on custom rules. It reduces clutter and saves time by automating common file management tasks such as moving, sorting, renaming, and tagging files. The application is designed for Mac users who want to automate repetitive file organization without requiring programming knowledge, and it includes specialized features for trash management and application cleanup.

Key Features

• Folder Monitoring and Rules - Watch multiple folders and create custom rules based on file characteristics like name, size, date added, and file type to automatically trigger actions.
• File Organization Actions - Automatically move, copy, rename, delete, or tag files based on rule conditions.
• Smart Folder Support - Monitor macOS Smart Folders to act on files matching well-defined patterns across the entire Mac.
• Advanced Renaming - Append numbers, letters, and dates to files, and extract metadata from document contents like PDFs to use in filenames.
• Trash Management - Automatically empty trash based on file size thresholds or scheduled intervals (daily, weekly, monthly).
• App Sweep - Automatically detect and remove application support files and resources left behind when deleting applications.
• Custom Tagging - Assign custom tags to files for better organization and tracking.
• Metadata Extraction - Extract dates and text from document contents to use in file organization and renaming rules.

Pricing

Platforms & Requirements

Hazel runs exclusively on macOS and requires a Mac computer. It operates as a background application accessible via the menu bar. The application works with standard Mac folders and Smart Folders, though Smart Folders have minor limitations.

Integrations & Ecosystem

• Apple Mail-style rules engine
• macOS Smart Folders
• PDF content analysis
• File tagging system
• Trash management integration
• Application file detection

Alternatives

Reputation

Hazel is widely regarded as a powerful and essential Mac automation tool for productivity-focused users and those managing large file collections. Users praise its intuitive rule-based interface, powerful renaming capabilities, and ability to automate tedious file management tasks without programming knowledge. The application is considered particularly valuable for document management and keeping systems organized. Some users note a learning curve for advanced features, though the basics are accessible to most Mac users.