The "worktray" command line tool

Worktray for Mac can install a worktray shell command so you can open a folder as a tray from a terminal — the same way code . or cursor . work for other editors.

Note

The worktray command is part of the native macOS app. The browser app does not have terminal access.

Install the command

1. Open the command palette with Cmd+K.
2. Type > to switch to command mode.
3. Choose Install the “worktray” command line tool.

macOS will ask for your administrator password — the command is written to /usr/local/bin, which is a protected location. Once it confirms, the command is ready to use in any terminal.

Open a folder

Run worktray with a path:

worktray .            # open the current folder
worktray ~/code/api   # open a specific folder

Worktray opens that folder as a folder-backed tray: its files stay ordinary files on disk, and changes you make in Worktray write straight back to the folder. If the folder isn’t already open, it’s added to your trays; if it is, Worktray just brings it to the front.

The command returns immediately and leaves nothing running in your terminal — you can close the terminal window without being asked to end a process. If Worktray is already open, the folder opens in the existing window.

Uninstall the command

Remove the installed command with:

sudo rm /usr/local/bin/worktray

If a folder goes missing

If you move or delete a folder that’s open as a tray, Worktray notices: the tray is marked Folder unavailable in the tray switcher with a Remove button, and opening it shows a notice instead of a stale, unsaveable file list. Move the folder back to pick up where you left off, or remove the tray.