cmd + shift + h = home directory

cmd + shift + a = applications directory

cmd + shift + d = desktop directory

Semi-related, type `open .` in terminal to open that directory in Finder

And when you are in terminal and want to change dir to some different path, just drag and drop it from finder (either a file or just a icon from the title bar)

If you cmd-drop a file icon into Terminal, it will automatically cd into the parent directory, it prefixes the path with cd and appends ; at the end and executes it. If the icon is a folder, it will automatically cd into that directory.

If you shift-drop a file icon into Terminal, it will paste the file path to the command line without escaping spaces.

Is there a reverse version of that last one? For navigation I prefer Finder over `cd; ls`, but once I end up where I want to be I generally need a terminal.

edit: Another user replied with what I want as I typed this! Thank you haddr.

You’re referring to the tip to drag the Finder folder onto the Terminal window. There’s another way that is easier if you don’t already have a Terminal window open:

Install the app “cd to…” (https://github.com/jbtule/cdto) and add it to your Finder toolbar. Now clicking that icon will open a new Terminal (or iTerm) window within the selected folder.

I use cmd+shift+u all the time.

It's great when you don't have a mouse, or don't want to use it:

cmd+tab: pulls up app switcher, keep clicking until you select Finder

cmd+shift+u: opens utility menu t: highlights Terminal.app cmd+o: opens a terminal

type

Could also spotlight search for Terminal

cmd-space, terminal, return

`xdg-open .` is the Linux equivalent.

There are a whole bunch of these as well! If you open a Finder window, and look at the Go menu, you'll see all the options. You can also use Cmd-Shift-G to open a path entry dialog with tab completion.

There are dozens of these shortcuts -- I use the ones for the Applications (cmd + shift + a) and Desktop (cmd + shift + d) most often, but you can find many others listed here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236

If you don't know, that shortcut also works in Open/Save dialogs. The same is true for nearly all the shortcuts in the Finder > Go menu (go to Desktop switches to Command-D in those dialogs).

You can also set which folder (downnloads/documents/desktop) to open by default when you open a new Finder Window.

Cmd + D : Desktop, that's the one I use.