Question 1

Is Iruka a replacement for macOS Finder?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Iruka is a full Finder replacement for macOS. It adds features Finder lacks: a terminal that follows your current folder, SSH connections, git status in the file browser, regex-powered Power Search, and rich file previews (Markdown, code, images). Most users switch completely within a week.

Question 2

How does Iruka compare to Path Finder?

Accepted Answer

Both are Finder alternatives, but they take different approaches. Path Finder focuses on dual-pane browsing and advanced sorting. Iruka focuses on terminal-UI synchronisation — navigate in Iruka and your terminal is already in that folder, ready to type. Iruka also adds first-class SSH / SCP, git integration, in-app Markdown and code previews, and in-place text editing at a lower price.

Question 3

How does Iruka compare to ForkLift?

Accepted Answer

ForkLift is primarily a file transfer client with dual-pane support. Iruka is a daily file manager — where you browse, preview, edit, and organise files. Both support SSH / SFTP, but Iruka adds a synced terminal, git control, grep / regex Power Search, and rich previews that ForkLift does not offer.

Question 4

Does Iruka have a built-in terminal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Iruka includes a synced terminal panel that always reflects the folder you are browsing. Navigate to a folder in the UI and the terminal is already there — no cd commands needed. You can launch Claude Code, run git commands, or use any CLI tool without losing your place.

Question 5

Does Iruka support SSH and remote servers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Iruka has one-click SSH connections with saved hosts — you will never forget an IP address again. You can also right-click any file to SCP it directly to a remote server, making remote file management as easy as local browsing.

Question 6

Can I get an SSH terminal while browsing an SFTP mount?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While browsing a mounted server, press the network button in the terminal header to open a real SSH session that lands in the folder you're viewing and stays in sync as you navigate — commands then run natively on the server instead of over the mount, which is faster and immune to a stalled mount hanging the shell.

Question 7

Can an SFTP mount write with root/sudo permissions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Edit Connection has a Mount as root switch that runs the server's SFTP service under sudo, so the volume can read and write anywhere on the machine instead of only where your account has access. It's off by default and requires a one-line sudoers change on the server.

Question 8

What macOS version does Iruka require?

Accepted Answer

Iruka requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It is a Universal binary that runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs.

Question 9

Is there a free trial for Iruka?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Iruka includes a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Download the DMG, install it, and use the full app for 30 days before deciding whether to buy.

Question 10

How much does Iruka cost?

Accepted Answer

Iruka is $19.99 for Personal (up to 3 Macs) and $39.99 for Team (up to 10 Macs). These are one-time payments that include one year of updates.

Question 11

Is Iruka a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No. Iruka is a one-time purchase — you pay once and own it forever. One year of updates is included. After that you can renew updates for $9.99/year (Personal) or keep using the version you have indefinitely. There is no recurring charge.

Question 12

Does Iruka work on Intel Macs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Iruka is a Universal binary and runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs. It requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.

Question 13

What is better than ForkLift for Mac?

Accepted Answer

If you need a daily file manager rather than just a file transfer client, Iruka is the stronger choice. ForkLift excels at SFTP transfers but lacks a synced terminal, git integration, and in-app file previews. Iruka covers all of that plus Power Search with grep and regex support.

Question 14

Is there a ForkLift alternative that also replaces Finder?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Iruka is built to replace both. ForkLift is a transfer client, not a daily driver, and Finder lacks a terminal, git, and real previews. Iruka combines ForkLift-level SSH/SFTP support with a full Finder replacement: dual-pane browsing, a synced terminal, git integration, and rich previews in one app.

Question 15

Is there a Dolphin file manager for Mac?

Accepted Answer

Not officially — KDE's Dolphin is Linux-only. Iruka is the closest thing to Dolphin for Mac: it brings Dolphin's signature feature, a terminal that follows your navigation as you browse, natively to macOS, alongside git integration, Power Search, and rich previews Dolphin doesn't have.

Question 16

Is there a Mac file manager with git integration?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Iruka shows git branch status and staged/unstaged changes directly in the file browser. You can commit, pull, and push without leaving the app or opening a separate git client.

Question 17

Can a Mac file manager open a terminal in the current folder?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is one of Iruka's core features: its built-in terminal panel always reflects the folder you are browsing. Navigate to a folder and the terminal is already there — no cd command needed. It works exactly like KDE's Dolphin on Linux, built natively for macOS.

Question 18

Is there a free Mac file manager?

Accepted Answer

Iruka includes a 30-day free trial with no credit card required — you get the full app for a month before deciding. After the trial, it is $19.99 for Personal or $39.99 for Team, both one-time payments.

Notes on building Iruka

Browse Your Server’s Files. Your SSH Terminal Follows.

I Built a File Manager Where You Can Actually Watch Your AI Agent Work

macOS Never Got the File Manager Developers Deserved. So I Built It.

The Top 5 Finder Replacements for Mac in 2026 (And Why I Ended Up Building a Sixth)