Peekaboo Help
Answers about using Peekaboo, with every Settings label exactly as it appears. Not here? support@getpeekaboo.app reaches the developer.
Does Peekaboo need Full Disk Access?
Peekaboo works without Full Disk Access. What it adds, how to turn it on in System Settings, and what macOS asks for instead.
How do I make Peekaboo the default file browser instead of Finder?
Make Peekaboo open folders instead of Finder: the setting, what switches over, what stays with Finder, and why some macOS versions keep Finder.
How do I change the Quick Search shortcut?
Quick Search opens over any app with ⌥Space. How to set a different shortcut, and what to do when another app already uses it.
How do I undo a cleanup?
Every Peekaboo cleanup is recorded. Put back the last one with ⌥⌘Z, or any earlier one from Cleanup History, as long as the Trash still holds it.
How does automatic cleanup work in Peekaboo?
Peekaboo’s automatic cleanup is off until you turn it on. What it moves to the Trash once a day, the Safe-only option, and how to put things back.
Can I get a notification when my Mac is low on space?
Peekaboo can notify you once when free space on your startup disk drops below a level you choose. Where to turn it on and set the level.
How do I move my Peekaboo license to a new Mac?
Move a Peekaboo license to another Mac yourself: deactivate the old one, or use Move to This Mac on the new one. Limits and lost keys.
What search tokens does Peekaboo understand?
Narrow a Peekaboo search with ext:, path:, in:, kind:code, repo: and hidden:, mixed with plain language. Every token, with examples and quoting rules.
How do I use Peekaboo from Terminal?
Install the peekaboo command in Settings › Advanced, then search, open and reveal files from Terminal. Usage, options and exit codes.
Can I search photos by what’s in them?
Peekaboo can find photos by what they show and the words in them, read on your Mac in the background. Where to turn it on and what stays private.
What does “Allow permanent removal” do in Peekaboo?
Some things can’t go to the Trash: Xcode simulators, Homebrew apps, local snapshots. What Peekaboo’s permanent removal setting allows, and what it doesn’t.
How do I use the same Peekaboo settings on two Macs?
Keep Peekaboo’s settings the same on every Mac with iCloud, or export them to a file and import on another Mac. What moves and what stays.
What data does Peekaboo send?
Peekaboo never uploads files, names or searches. What it does send (usage counts, update and license checks) and the setting that stops usage data.
What are Peekaboo’s developer features?
Turn on Show developer features in Peekaboo for Projects, Dotfiles & Config, Xcode and package-manager cleanup, Open in Terminal and Copy Path As.
Why doesn’t Peekaboo show a file I know is there?
Why a file might be missing from Peekaboo: folders without access, iCloud-only files, hidden files, network drives, or Spotlight not indexing it.
Every setting, explained
Each control in Peekaboo’s Settings window, pane by pane, with the help text the app shows.