open

open files and directories



     open [-e|-t] [-f] [-F] [-W] [-R] 
[-n] [-g] [-h hdr] 
[-b bundle_identifier] 
[-a application] file … [--args arg … ]

Opens a file (or a directory or URL), as if you had double-clicked the file's icon.

If application is not specified, the default application as determined via LaunchServices is used to open the files including searching $PATH.

file (or pathnames) are interpreted relative to current working directory .
For example, to open all Word (.doc) files in the current working directory:

 open *.doc

Applications inherit environment variables as if launched directly through its full path.

`-a application`	Application to open the file
`--args arg …`	remaining arguments are passed to the application without being opened or examined.
`-e`	open with `TextEdit`
`-t`	open with the default text editor, as determined via LaunchServices
`-f`	Reads input from standard input and opens the results in the default text editor. End input by sending EOF character (^D). Useful for piping output to open and having it open in the default text editor.
`-F`	Opens the application "fresh" without restoring windows. Saved persistent state is lost, except for Untitled documents.
`-n`	Open a new instance of the application(s) even if one is already running.
`-W`	wait until the applications (or that were already open) have exited. Use with `-n` flag to allow open to function as an appropriate app for the `$EDITOR` environment variable.
`-R`	Reveals `file` in Finder
`-g`	Do not bring the application to the foreground.
`-h header.h`	Searches header locations for a `header` then opens it with `Xcode`. Pass a full header name (such as `./hdrlib/NSView.h`) to supress the search. interpreted by the open tool. open -h CIImage Warning: Xcode platforms folder not found at "/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools". You may have invalid DEVELOPER_DIR or stale xcode-select setting. CIImage? [0] cancel [1] all [2] /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreImage.framework/Headers/CIImageAccumulator.h [3] /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreImage.framework/Headers/CIImageProcessor.h [4] /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreImage.framework/Headers/CIImage.h [5] /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreImage.framework/Headers/CIImageProvider.h Which header(s) for "CIImage"?
`-b bundle_ID`

Examples

Open file in the default application for its type (as determined by LaunchServices). open '/Volumes/DATA/food.jpg'

home directory in the Finder: open ~

With a specific application : open -a .bin/MacVimPreview.app food.txt

using the bundle : open -b com.apple.TextEdit '/Volumes/DATA/food.txt'"

open -b com.apple.preview file:///Volumes/DATA/dgerman/Documents/computerstuff/phyweb/Nordic/nRF52832-memory.html

With TextEdit. open -e /Volumes/DATA/foo.txt

pipe output of 'ls' to the default text editor : ls | open -f .

URL in the default browser.: open http://www.apple.com/

With the default application for its type (as determined by LaunchServices): open 'file://localhost/Volumes/DATA/food.txt'

Open a directory in the Finder: open 'file://localhost/Volumes/DATA/Applications/'

List headers whose names contain NSView and allows you to choose which ones to open: open -h NSView

open /System/Library/Frameworks/Foundation.framework/Headers/NSString.h in Xcode: open -a Xcode -h NSString.h