Putaway

Putaway is a macOS menu bar app and CLI that sorts files from folders like Downloads into existing subfolders.

Putaway organizes files from source folders, such as Downloads, into existing destination subfolders. It reads file contents or names, selects a matching folder, and displays a plan before moving any data. Users can confirm suggestions manually or let supported services classify files automatically based on probability. It runs locally using Apple Intelligence by default, or connects to OpenAI chat API endpoints like Ollama, LM Studio, llama.cpp, and mlxlm, as well as SubQ Snap or Jev. Sensitive files such as private keys and recovery codes are skipped automatically.

Putaway at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: macOS, CLI, open source
Pricing: Free
Released: October 2026
Category: AI productivity tool
Website: github.com/devyrpauli/putaway

Key features

Menu bar tray icon and Finder service integration
Command line interface for planning and applying moves
Local processing with Apple Intelligence on Apple silicon
Custom model support via OpenAI-compatible endpoints like Ollama
Undo functionality to revert the most recent batch move
Automatic file renaming to prevent overwriting existing files
Text extraction from images and scans directly on your Mac
Sensitive file exclusion for credentials, keys, and tokens

Use it for

Sorting messy Downloads directories into existing folder structures
Classifying scanned documents and images by extracting on-device text
Automating file organization from the terminal via putaway plan and apply

Alternatives to Putaway

Lisorto — Previews every move before execution and provides one-click undo capabilities.
Leftovers — Tracks true memory footprints, including swap, and clears leftover agent processes.
Sorted — It runs entirely on-device with private local AI models and cited answers.
Macaroni — Tracks folder changes made by AI agents without writing to files.
CoolDock — It runs locally, protects privacy, and provides live widgets alongside the standard dock.
Tidzy — Find any screenshot or document by its text and clean up storage with full undo support.
Ida — Controls your Mac and apps using voice or text commands with one key.
Udon — Manages your files and apps locally with an optional AI sysadmin.
Files Magic AI File Rename & Organizer — Preview changes before anything moves and run rename models locally.
Docling — Provides advanced PDF understanding and local execution for sensitive data.
Orbit — It keeps all project repositories, tasks, notes, and files together in one local workspace.
GitHub Stars Manager — Local-first repository organization with AI-powered search and release tracking.

All Putaway alternatives