---
layout: page
category_title: Basic commands
category-page: basic
tags: open
author: Gianmarco De Vita
title: open
---
<p>You can open files and folder as new windows through the terminal.
  The command is <code>open</code>. By writing the command open followed by the
  path and the name of the file (remember that you can omit the path if
  the file is in the current position), a new window in the common user
  interface opens. Now you can work on the opened file.
</p>

<pre>
Device-name:Current-position username$ open path/name-file
</pre>

<h3>Open a file with a specific application</h3>
<p>Adding the flag <code>-a</code> to the command permit you to decide with
  which specific application open the file. Just write the flag followed by the
  name of the application.
</p>

<pre>
Device-name:Current-position username$ open -a application-name path/name-file
</pre>

<h4>Example</h4>
<p>Assume that I want to open with <i>Preview</i> the file
  <code>abc.pdf</code> on my Desktop.
  I have to write:
</p>

<pre>
User-Device:~ user$ open -a preview Desktop/abc.pdf
</pre>

<p>As result, a new <i>Preview</i> window appears in pop up showing the content of the
  chosen file.
</p>

<h3>Open a file with <i>TextEdit</i></h3>
<p>If you want to open a file with TextEdit, just use instead of <code>-a</code>
  the flag <code>-e</code> and write the path and the name of the file you want
  to open.</p>

<pre>
User-Device:~ user$ open -e Desktop/text.txt
</pre>

<h3>Open the folder which contains the file</h3>
<p>If you want to open the folder that contains a specific file, just use
  the flag <code>-R</code> and write the path and the name of the file you want to open.
</p>
<pre>
User-Device:~ user$ open -R Desktop/text.txt
</pre>

<p>As result, a new <i>Finder</i> window opens the folder displaying its content.</p>

<h3>Open a file as a text</h3>
<p>If you want to open a file with your default text editor (determined via
  LaunchServices), just use the flag <code>-t</code> and write the path and the name of
  the file you want to open.</p>
<pre>
User-Device:~ user$ open -t Desktop/text.txt
</pre>

<h3>Visit a Website</h3>
<p>You can use this tool not only to open files and folders, but also webpages.
Just write the command <code>open</code> followed by the <code>URL</code> of the page
you want to visit. For example, by typing the command</p>
<pre>
User-Device:~ user$ open http://www.google.com
</pre>
<p>A new page of your default browser will open on the indicated page (in this
  example, the main page of the Google Search Engine). </p>