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I'm not sure whether this is actually possible or not but I'm trying to add a newly created folder into the favorites section of the Finder window.

If it is possible how can I achieve this? I have googled for this but couldn't find anything concrete. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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The information about what appears in the Favorites section of the finder windows is kept in the configuration file:

/home/<your_user_name_here>/Library/Preferences/com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

there is an explanation of the file's contents here:
https://georgegarside.com/blog/macos/finder-sidebar-preferences-location/

and macOS includes a tool to manipulate the plists from terminal:
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy

You can find an introduction to the tool here:
http://fgimian.github.io/blog/2015/06/27/a-simple-plistbuddy-tutorial/

and a sample discussion about using it here:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/macenterprise/Ks-zHlY3h5I

However, if you don't want to figure out everything by yourself you can use an utility published on github that manages the sidebar contents from the terminal line:

https://github.com/mosen/mysides

OTH

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  • 12
    Unfortunately it seems the file com.apple.sidebarlists.plist is no longer present in MacOS High Sierra.
    – user91203
    Commented Jul 15, 2018 at 14:25
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Theres a binary file at ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

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    Welcome to Ask Different! Could you please explain how this helps in solving the OP's problem?
    – Glorfindel ♦
    Commented Nov 20, 2018 at 20:28
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Navigate to the parent of your newly created folder (cd ..) and run open . Your newly created folder should appear in Finder. Select it, press File -> Add to sidebar. Your folder is now present on the Favourites column

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  • 7
    How does this qualify as a Terminal-based solution?
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Oct 13, 2019 at 10:14
  • This was a real straightforward solution that took me less than a minute. Less of a hassle than installing anything or using a guide.
    – Dovahkiin vas Normandy
    Commented Nov 4, 2021 at 17:26
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    Yeah but you can't automate it in a dotfile, which is a major reason command line users want a plaintext solution
    – Sridhar Sarnobat
    Commented Apr 21, 2022 at 16:36
  • Does not work for files that cannot be viewed in the Finder, such as ~/.Trash, which remains hidden in the Finder even when Finder is displaying hidden files.
    – dinosaur
    Commented Feb 2, 2023 at 19:59

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