How do I sort Mac files by download source?

AutoShelf reads the download URL metadata that macOS attaches to every downloaded file. You create a rule that matches a URL pattern like 'github.com' and tell AutoShelf where to route those files. Every file downloaded from that source is moved automatically.

What download sources does AutoShelf detect?

AutoShelf detects the full download URL for any file downloaded from Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, or any application that uses macOS download metadata. You can match any URL pattern: github.com, figma.com, slack.com, or any other domain.

Can I sort files downloaded from specific websites?

Yes. You can create rules that match any URL substring. For example, route all github.com downloads to a Developer folder, all drive.google.com files to a Work folder, or all ebay.com invoices to a Receipts folder.

Does download source sorting work with all browsers?

Yes. AutoShelf reads the kMDItemWhereFroms metadata that macOS stores for downloaded files. This works with Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, and any app that uses the standard macOS download mechanism.

// download source

Sort Files by Download Source on Mac

Files arrive from GitHub, Slack, email, and browsers, all dumped into Downloads. AutoShelf reads the download URL metadata that macOS attaches to every file and routes them by source. GitHub to Developer. Slack to Work. Figma to Design.

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

// the problem

Where did this file come from?

GitHub repos, Slack downloads, and browser saves all land in the same Downloads folder with no way to tell them apart.
You download a file from a specific site and then can't find it among hundreds of other files.
Work files mix with personal downloads, making it hard to stay organized across contexts.
Finder doesn't show where a file was downloaded from unless you dig into Get Info.
Manually creating folders and dragging files after every download is not sustainable.

// built-in template

Sort by Source template

AutoShelf includes a template that routes files by their download source URL. Enable it and customize the destinations.

Sort by Source Routes files downloaded from github.com to a Developer folder and files downloaded from Slack to a Work folder. Customize the source patterns and destinations to match your workflow.

// how it works

macOS tracks where files come from. AutoShelf uses it.

Create a source rule

Set a URL pattern like "github.com" or "slack.com" and choose a destination folder.

AutoShelf reads the metadata

Every file downloaded on Mac carries the source URL. AutoShelf reads this metadata and matches it against your rules.

Files route automatically

GitHub downloads go to Developer. Slack files go to Work. Figma exports go to Design. Every source, its own folder.

// what you can match

Any source, any destination

Match any URL pattern

Route files from github.com, drive.google.com, figma.com, slack.com, or any domain. The pattern matches any substring in the download URL.

Works with all browsers

AutoShelf reads kMDItemWhereFroms metadata that macOS stores for every download. Works with Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, and any app that uses standard macOS downloads.

Combine with file type

Narrow rules by combining source with file type. For example: route .zip files from github.com to Developer, but route .pdf files from github.com to Documents.

Route to any folder

Each rule can send files to a different destination. Create separate folders for work, personal, design, development, or any context that matters to you.

// faq

Frequently asked questions

How do I sort Mac files by download source?

AutoShelf reads the download URL metadata that macOS attaches to every downloaded file. You create a rule that matches a URL pattern like "github.com" and tell AutoShelf where to route those files. Every file downloaded from that source is moved automatically.
What download sources does AutoShelf detect?

AutoShelf detects the full download URL for any file downloaded from Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, or any application that uses macOS download metadata. You can match any URL pattern: github.com, figma.com, slack.com, or any other domain.
Can I sort files downloaded from specific websites?

Yes. You can create rules that match any URL substring. For example, route all github.com downloads to a Developer folder, all drive.google.com files to a Work folder, or all ebay.com invoices to a Receipts folder.
Does download source sorting work with all browsers?

Yes. AutoShelf reads the kMDItemWhereFroms metadata that macOS stores for downloaded files. This works with Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, and any app that uses the standard macOS download mechanism.