Can I create custom folder categories for sorting?

Yes. You can create rules that match any file type or extension and route files to any folder. For example, you can route all .psd files to a Design folder or all .mp3 files to a Music folder.

Does file type sorting work with custom extensions?

Yes. AutoShelf supports both macOS file type detection and custom extension matching. You can create a rule for .dmg, .sketch, .fig, or any other extension and route those files wherever you want.

// file type sorting

Organize Files by Type on Mac

Your Downloads folder is a mix of images, PDFs, videos, archives, and code files. AutoShelf recognizes file types using macOS metadata and routes each one into the right subfolder. Automatically.

Download from App Store Free with one rule. Unlock everything for $19.99 one-time. macOS 13+

// the problem

Everything lands in one folder

Your Downloads folder has images next to PDFs next to zip files next to installers, all mixed together.
Finding a specific PDF means scrolling past hundreds of images and screenshots.
Manual sorting means dragging files into folders one by one, a chore nobody keeps up with.
Smart Folders in Finder can search by type but can't actually move files.
You create subfolders with the best intentions, then forget to sort new files into them.

// built-in template

One template sorts everything

AutoShelf's Organize Downloads template creates subfolders and routes files by type. Enable it with one click.

Organize Downloads Creates subfolders for Images, PDFs, Videos, Archives, and Source Code inside your Downloads folder, then routes every new file to the correct one.

// how it works

Three steps to a sorted folder

Pick a folder

Choose Downloads or any folder you want organized. AutoShelf starts watching it immediately.

Choose file types

Select from built-in types like Image, PDF, Movie, Audio, and Archive. Or match by custom file extensions.

Files sort themselves

Every new file is detected and routed to the right subfolder instantly. No dragging, no sorting, no thinking.

// file types

Recognized types and custom extensions

Built-in file types

AutoShelf recognizes Images, PDFs, Movies, Audio, Archives, Source Code, Text, Spreadsheets, and Presentations using macOS metadata, not just file extensions.

Custom extensions

Need to route .sketch, .fig, .dmg, or .csv files? Create a rule that matches any file extension and sends those files to any folder.

Sort into any folder

Route files to any folder on your Mac. Create subfolders inside Downloads, move images to Pictures, or send code to your dev workspace.

Combine conditions

Sort by type and add extra conditions: only sort images larger than 5MB, only move PDFs older than 3 days, or match any combination of type, size, age, and source.

// faq

Frequently asked questions

How do I sort files by type on Mac automatically?

AutoShelf's Organize Downloads template creates subfolders for Images, PDFs, Videos, Archives, and Source Code inside your Downloads folder. Every new file is automatically routed to the correct subfolder based on its type.
What file types does AutoShelf recognize?

AutoShelf recognizes Images, PDFs, Movies, Audio, Archives, Source Code, Text, Spreadsheets, and Presentations using macOS metadata (UTType). You can also match by custom file extensions for more specific rules.
Can I create custom folder categories for sorting?

Yes. You can create rules that match any file type or extension and route files to any folder. For example, you can route all .psd files to a Design folder or all .mp3 files to a Music folder.
Does file type sorting work with custom extensions?

Yes. AutoShelf supports both macOS file type detection and custom extension matching. You can create a rule for .dmg, .sketch, .fig, or any other extension and route those files wherever you want.