In Windows and many Linux distributions, creating a new text file is as simple as right-clicking in a folder and selecting "New Text Document" from the context menu. This seemingly minor feature becomes particularly valuable when organizing technical documentation, leaving notes for future reference, or quickly capturing thoughts in specific project directories. Its absence in MacOS represents one of those small friction points that can impact daily productivity.
Available Solutions
After researching this issue, I discovered several approaches to address this limitation:
- New File Menu Lite: A free application available on the Mac App Store that adds context menu functionality for creating new files. The lite version supports up to three file templates, which should suffice for basic text file creation needs.
- Automator Workflow: A native solution using MacOS's Automator to create a custom Quick Action. While this works, it requires additional setup and doesn't provide the same seamless right-click experience.
- Quick Notes: A built-in MacOS feature (Monterey and later) that allows quick note creation through hot corners or keyboard shortcuts (Fn + Q). While useful for temporary notes, it doesn't address the need for creating standalone files in specific locations.
My Implementation Choice
After evaluating these options, I've opted for New File Menu Lite for several reasons:
- Native context menu integration
- No subscription requirement
- Clean implementation without ads or data collection
- Mac App Store distribution ensuring basic security vetting
- Simple configuration through System Preferences > Extensions
The application was installed on December 20, 2024, and I plan to update this article with practical usage insights after thorough testing.
Initial Setup Requirements
For those considering this solution, here are the key setup steps:
- Install New File Menu Lite from the Mac App Store
- Enable "New File Menu Lite Extension" in System Preferences > Extensions
- Configure desired file templates (up to three in the Lite version)
- Add relevant folders/locations to the app's preferences
Looking Forward
While this solution addresses the immediate need, it highlights a broader theme in the MacOS ecosystem: the reliance on third-party utilities to implement functionality that comes standard in other operating systems. This isn't necessarily a criticism—MacOS's approach often prioritizes different workflow paradigms—but it's an important consideration for users transitioning from other platforms.
The need to purchase additional utilities for basic functionality can be frustrating, but it's worth noting that this ecosystem has fostered a rich marketplace of specialized tools that often exceed the capabilities of their built-in counterparts in other operating systems.
Future Updates
I'll update this article with hands-on experience using New File Menu Lite, including:
- Integration with existing workflow
- Performance impact considerations
- Compatibility with cloud storage solutions
- Template management effectiveness
Stay tuned for practical insights from daily usage.