Productivity

Should you build your own Hazel?

Watch selected folders and apply transparent file rules with previews and logs

Buildable · the essentials fit in one project
Price $42 · onceEstimated time one sittingCategory ProductivityCatalog votes 0

The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Hazel, watch selected folders and apply transparent file rules with previews and logs. The hard boundary is mature filesystem automation, rule depth, apple integrations, and reliability, plus os integration polish and maintenance.

ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.

The complete prompt
Build a personal replacement for Hazel in an empty repository.
Use Swift 6, SwiftUI, AppKit where necessary, SQLite, and the macOS Keychain; do not offer alternative stacks.
The core loop is: watch selected folders in a focused macOS utility, apply transparent file rules with previews and logs, expose keyboard-first controls, and store settings locally.
Make the first run work locally with one documented command.
Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward.
Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials.
Create a menu-bar app with a searchable command window and global hotkey.
Implement only the primary feature and one settings screen instead of a plugin platform.
Request permissions just in time and explain why each is needed before opening System Settings.
Store configuration locally, support export or import, and never capture unrelated user content.
Add launch-at-login, update-check opt-in, diagnostics export, and a complete uninstall note.
Write unit tests for transformation logic and one UI test for the core keyboard workflow.
Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states.
Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs.
Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path.
Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps.
Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane.
Deliberately leave out a third-party extension marketplace.
Deliberately leave out cloud accounts and cross-device sync.
Deliberately leave out broad automation that executes untrusted scripts.
Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used.

The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR

Original prompt preserved in English.

What would building your own look like?

Watch selected folders in a focused macOS utility, apply transparent file rules with previews and logs, expose keyboard-first controls, and store settings locally.

What you will need

Why paying can still make sense

People still pay for Hazel because small utilities are technically reproducible, but customers pay for polish and immediate fixes when an OS update breaks a daily habit. The recurring cost buys permissions, accessibility APIs, sandboxing, signing, notarization, OS regressions, updates, backups, and support, not just the visible interface.

What you lose

xmature filesystem automation, rule depth, Apple integrations, and reliability

xyears of OS-version edge cases

xlarge extension ecosystem

xcross-device sync

xcommercial support and rapid compatibility fixes

Share on X ↗"I just replaced Hazel with one prompt"
Free alternatives

Prefer something ready-made?

FForelHazel's folder rules, previews, history, and Finder tags, fresh enough that the paint is still wet.275Jul 2026Open source↗

License, setup, and limitations for each alternative.

Plans and pricing

How much does Hazel cost?

In your currency · US DollarChecked on 10/20/2026
One-time licence
$42
Buy on the official site

You complete the purchase on Hazel’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.

Compare withanother app →
PlanMonthlyAnnual (per month)What is included
hazel 6custom-Single-user perpetual licence for Hazel 6 and all Hazel 6 updates.
hazel 6 family packcustom-Up to 5 members of one private household; perpetual Hazel 6 licence.
upgrade to hazel 6custom-Upgrade from any previous Hazel version while retaining the existing single/family licence type.

Free tierno free tier

Billing termsone-time purchase; no monthly or annual plan; trial available

Additional costsFuture major versions can require a paid upgrade, although the purchased Hazel 6 version keeps working. Volume licensing is quoted separately.

verified 2026-10-20 · source ↗

Build or buy

Is it cheaper to build or buy Hazel?

Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.

Subscribe
Build it yourself
Horizon
Subscribe$0
Build it yourself$1,520

Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.

Starting hours estimated from the analysis (one sitting). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).

Frequently asked questions
Can I rebuild Hazel?

Yes. A competent AI coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) can build a usable personal Hazel replacement in one session with the prompt on this page. It runs on your own machine or server with no subscription.

How much does Hazel cost?

Hazel’s pricing is usage-based or varies by plan · Family Pack is $65 and the upgrade from a previous version is $20..

What do I lose by replacing Hazel?

Honestly: mature filesystem automation, rule depth, Apple integrations, and reliability; years of OS-version edge cases; large extension ecosystem; cross-device sync; commercial support and rapid compatibility fixes. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to Hazel?

Yes: Forel (Hazel's folder rules, previews, history, and Finder tags, fresh enough that the paint is still wet.) The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.

New ideas on your radar.

Get catalog updates and prompts for your next project.