How to use the command fileicon (with examples)

The fileicon command is a tool used to manage custom file and folder icons on macOS. It provides a way to set, remove, save, and test custom icons for specific files or directories.

Use case 1: Set a custom icon for a specific file or directory

Code:

fileicon set path/to/file_or_directory path/to/icon_file.png

Motivation:

Setting a custom icon for a file or directory can help improve organization and visual identification of important files or folders.

Explanation:

• fileicon is the command itself.
• set is the action to perform, indicating that we want to set a custom icon.
• path/to/file_or_directory is the path to the file or directory for which we want to set a custom icon.
• path/to/icon_file.png is the path to the custom icon file in PNG format.

Example output:

The custom icon will be applied to the specified file or directory, changing its visual appearance in the macOS Finder.

Use case 2: Remove a custom icon from a specific file or directory

Code:

fileicon rm path/to/file_or_directory

Motivation:

Removing a custom icon from a file or directory can help revert back to the default icon, or remove any visual clutter associated with custom icons.

Explanation:

• fileicon is the command itself.
• rm is the action to perform, indicating that we want to remove the custom icon.
• path/to/file_or_directory is the path to the file or directory from which we want to remove the custom icon.

Example output:

The custom icon will be removed from the specified file or directory, reverting back to the default icon in the macOS Finder.

Use case 3: Save the custom icon of a file or directory as a .icns file into the current directory

Code:

fileicon get path/to/file_or_directory

Motivation:

Saving the custom icon of a file or directory can be useful for backup purposes or for future reference.

Explanation:

• fileicon is the command itself.
• get is the action to perform, indicating that we want to save the custom icon.
• path/to/file_or_directory is the path to the file or directory from which we want to save the custom icon.

Example output:

The custom icon of the specified file or directory will be saved as a .icns file in the current directory.

Use case 4: Test if a specific file or directory has a custom icon

Code:

fileicon test path/to/file_or_directory

Motivation:

Testing whether a specific file or directory has a custom icon can help determine if any customizations have been applied.

Explanation:

• fileicon is the command itself.
• test is the action to perform, indicating that we want to test if a custom icon is applied.
• path/to/file_or_directory is the path to the file or directory we want to test.

Example output:

The command will output 0 if the specified file or directory does not have a custom icon, and 1 if it does have a custom icon.