Finicky For Mac

There are plenty of reasons to open links in different browsers or apps. Some may be better suited for certain types of content, or maybe your workflow just requires separating pages based on various criteria. Those working from home, in particular, might want to use a browser for work and another one for personal stuff.

Finicky can make the process a lot simpler than copying a URL and pasting it in the right browser. Based on a set of rules you configure, it will open each link using the right app, and it can even modify them in certain ways beforehand.

First, it has to be noted that Finicky requires you to create a .finicky.js configuration file in your home directory and edit it manually. No GUI is available for this process, so those who aren't comfortable setting up these preferences from a text editor may want to try a more user-friendly alternative, like Bowserosaurus.

Mind you, an example configuration is available to get you going, and the developer has provided detailed instructions and code samples for those who are starting out. You can also use Finicky Kickstart to create a basic configuration and then copy it to your .finicky.js file. You don't need to know JavaScript to set everything up.

To work properly, Finicky needs to be set as the default browser. It checks each link you try to open and, based on your configuration, sends them to the right app or browser and edits them if necessary.

There are multiple ways it can identify links, such as their domain, a certain string in the address, or the app they were opened from. Even complex rules can be set up, with multiple matches required before a URL is opened in a certain browser.

Aside from determining which app to open links in, Finicky can also edit them before doing so. For instance, it can redirect HTTP links to their secure HTTPS form, change a URL's domain (e.g. 'amazon.com' to 'smile.amazon.com'), remove tracking information, or send searches to a different search engine.

Once everything is set, Finicky will simply run in the background and manage your links automatically. You can even remove it from the menu bar if you like. No additional clicks will be required when opening a link, making this a great productivity tool.

The lack of a GUI for configuration is certainly a downside for users who aren't comfortable editing code, but you can get a decent setup with surprisingly little effort.