FileOctopus Everyday actions
| Task | How |
|---|---|
| Create a folder | File → New Folder, ⇧⌘N. |
| Group selected items in a new folder | File → New Folder with Selection, ⌃⌘N. |
| Rename | Select an item and press Return; Escape cancels. Multiple selections open the batch-rename sheet. |
| Copy | ⌘C, navigate to the destination, then ⌘V. |
| Move copied items | ⌘C, navigate to the destination, then ⌥⌘V. |
| Duplicate | File → Duplicate, ⌘D. |
| Trash | File → Move to Trash, ⌘⌫. |
| Create an alias | File → Make Alias, ⌃⌘A, when enabled. |
FileOctopus follows Finder's copy-then-move convention. ⌘X cuts text in text fields; it is not file Cut.
Drag and drop
Drag file selections into another folder or pane. By default, a same-volume drop moves and a cross-volume drop copies; Option requests a copy and Command requests a move. The destination and safety checks still decide whether the action is allowed. Dragging files into the Shelf collects references.
File references and supported file promises from other apps are accepted through the operation boundary. Imports are staged; an interrupted promised-file import can leave a hidden staging folder. Real cross-app and provider behavior still needs release-environment verification.
When a name already exists
Review the conflict sheet before continuing. Keep Both is the default. Other available choices include Skip, Stop, and explicit Replace where supported. Replace does not apply to folders or packages, and folder merging is not offered.
Operations report progress and errors. Stopping a transfer can leave completed work; read the outcome instead of assuming the entire operation was rolled back. Cross-volume moves verify the copied bytes and flush them before source removal.
Undo and interrupted operations
Use Edit → Undo (⌘Z) and Redo (⇧⌘Z) when offered. Undo checks that the relevant items still match what the operation recorded. External edits, missing items, or permissions can make reversal unavailable. A Shelf move from multiple source folders has no Undo.
Production operations keep a local journal. After an interrupted operation, FileOctopus may show a recovery report with items needing review. Inspect the reported paths before marking them reviewed. FileOctopus → Clear File Operation History… manages retained history; it is not a file backup.
Trash uses the system Trash in production. Put Back/Undo may need macOS access to Trash and can refuse with an explanation. Cloud placeholders, read-only volumes, protected locations, and changed identities can also prevent an operation.
Build and safety limits
Normal Release builds enable production operations; Debug builds need the explicit file-change launch configuration. Automated demonstrations use disposable fixtures only. Current implementation is not a claim that real-volume, power-loss, cloud-provider, and all supported OS release gates are complete. See current limits.
Watch: preview a rename, undo, and collect files
Rename three disposable images using a reviewed replacement, undo the change, and add the restored files to the Shelf.
Recorded in FileOctopus using fictional files. No audio. Playback is approximately 1.18×. A solid mask hides only the Shelf's fixture-location column. File names, rename results and item counts remain visible.
Read the demo steps
- Select Campaign-01.png, Campaign-02.png and Campaign-03.png; choose Rename 3 Items.
- Use Replace Text: find ‘Campaign’ and replace it with ‘Studio-Launch’. Review all three original and new names.
- Choose Rename. The file list shows Studio-Launch-01.png through Studio-Launch-03.png.
- Use Undo to restore the original names.
- Select the restored files and choose File → Add to Shelf. The Shelf shows three references; the originals stay in place.