---
title: "How to open Terminal in a folder on a Mac - PaneStack"
description: "How to open a terminal in the current folder on a Mac, and keep one under your files that follows you as you browse, with PaneStack's built-in terminal."
canonical: https://panestack.app/open-terminal-in-folder-mac.html
---

# How to open Terminal in a folder on a Mac

In PaneStack, press **⌃⌘`** and a terminal opens right under your files, already in the folder you're looking at. Browse to another folder and the terminal follows.

## In Finder

Finder can open Terminal at a folder, once you turn it on:

1. Open System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard Shortcuts › Services, and turn on **New Terminal at Folder**.
2. In Finder, right-click a folder › **Services › New Terminal at Folder**.

Terminal opens in its own window, and it stays in that folder while you browse elsewhere in Finder.

## In PaneStack

- **A terminal under your files.** **⌃⌘`** opens your own login shell in the folder you're looking at. It's a real terminal: vim, top and tab completion all work.
- **It follows you.** As you browse, the terminal `cd`s along, but never while a program is running.
- **Or the other way round.** Right-click › Pane Follows the Shell's Folder, and the pane goes wherever you `cd`.
- **Paths without typing.** Copy files, then paste in the terminal, and their paths are typed for you.
- **Beside your files.** View › Panes › Add Module Pane puts a terminal in its own pane, next to your folders.
- **Terminal.app too.** ⌥⌘T still opens the folder in Terminal.

## From the command line

Link `panestack` into your PATH and it works the other way: `panestack` opens the current folder in PaneStack, `panestack ~/Projects` opens a folder, and `panestack -s "pdfs last week over 5 mb"` searches.

## Common questions

### How do I open Terminal at the current folder on Mac?

In PaneStack, press ⌃⌘`. In Finder, turn on the New Terminal at Folder service in Keyboard settings, then right-click a folder › Services.

### Can a file manager have a built-in terminal on Mac?

Yes. PaneStack has one built in, under the files or in its own pane, and it follows the folder you're browsing.

## Try PaneStack

PaneStack is a Finder alternative for Mac with up to 16 panes and undo for everything. One purchase, from $4.99, with every future version included. [See pricing](https://panestack.app/#pricing) or read [more tips](https://panestack.app/tips.html).