"An object at rest...will remain at rest..."

Sometimes Newton's Law of Inertia is just as applicable to the digital world as to the physical. All too often our files sit around never to be filed. Downloads and other sundry files pile up never to leave. Fortunately, an uncluttered desktop can be a reality.

Meet Hazel, your personal housekeeper.

Create rules to automatically keep your files organized

Hazel watches whatever folders you tell it to, automatically organizing your files according to the rules you create. It features a rule interface similar to that of Apple Mail so you should feel right at home. Have Hazel move files around based on name, date, type, what site/email address it came from (Safari and Mail only) and much more. Automatically put your music in your Music folder, movies in Movies. Keep your downloads off the desktop and put them where they are supposed to be.

More than just filing

Hazel can open, archive, set color labels and add Spotlight comments. In addition, you can have Hazel rename your files or sort them into subfolders based on name, date or whatever combination of attributes you choose. With Hazel's rule-based engine, you can create powerful workflows to automatically organize and process your files.

App Sweep

When you throw away applications, they can leave behind support files that never get cleaned up. With Hazel's App Sweep, Hazel will detect when you throw applications away, search for its support files and offer to throw those away as well. Uninstalling applications is integrated with your Trash so you don't even have to think about it.

Made a mistake? When you pull the application back out of the Trash, Hazel can re-install the support files for you so you don't lose a thing. In addition, App Sweep can work for all users on the same computer. If you throw away an app, other users of the app will get a chance to have their support files thrown away when they log in.

iLife Support

Hazel features new actions to import your files into iPhoto or iTunes. Keep your media in line. Add to your library or to a specific playlist or photo album.

Spotlight Integration

Advanced Spotlight integration allows you to use any Spotlight attribute in your rules. Filter files based on Spotlight attributes or use them in conjunction with the new renaming and sorting actions. Sort your photos by aperture or shutter speed or rename your music files with artist, album and year. Make your metadata work for you.

Hazel cleans as well

Hazel has options to clean out those pesky unneeded files that clutter your folders, getting rid of incomplete and duplicate downloads for you. And, of course, you can set up whatever rules you want to automatically throw files away.

Never take out the trash again

You can have Hazel manage your Trash. Select from different options to keep your Trash in check. And for extra security, Hazel can also shred files like Finder's "Secure Empty Trash" option.

Extend, Customize, Integrate

Hazel's rules can trigger Automator workflows, AppleScripts and scripts in your language of choice. Hazel will run whatever you throw at it, making it easy for you to integrate into your workflow.

Work undisturbed

Hazel works quietly in the background allowing you to focus on your real tasks. Just set up your rules via a System Preferences pane and let Hazel do its job. Hazel tries not to hog up resources. You won't notice it's there but you'll notice when it's gone.

Or let Hazel be chatty

Hazel supports Growl. Receive notifications on your Desktop about what Hazel is doing. Even create your own custom notification messages.

Indispensible

Find out why many consider Hazel to be essential software. Download it and give it a spin.

“

Hazel is one of those truly clever, useful apps that I think could make the Mac computing world a better place if everyone bought a license (and used it, of course).

”

David Chartier, blogger for TUAW.com

“

This application is gold I tell you, gold.

”

Jason O'Grady, O'Grady's PowerPage