Glance: Quick Look extension for code, Markdown, and data
Try Glance, created by Samuel Meuli and maintained by chamburr, to enhance Finder previews on Mac. The app uses the Quick Look extension to show syntax-highlighted code, rendered Markdown, Jupyter Notebook outputs, and archive listings as graphical previews without opening full applications. It uses the Chroma engine, supports CSV/TSV tables, handles ZIP, TAR, and 7z archives, and provides consistent macOS-styled rendering with Dark Mode compatibility. Glance targets developers, data scientists, technical writers, and power users who inspect code and data inside Finder.
The app extends Finder's Quick Look with developer-focused previews
The app acts as a Quick Look extension that shows syntax highlighting for over 200 languages using the Chroma engine and renders Markdown, Jupyter Notebooks, CSV/TSV tables, and archive contents. In practice, pressing the Spacebar in Finder opens those previews without launching full applications.
- Code: syntax highlighting for 200+ languages
- Documents: GitHub Flavored Markdown rendering
- Notebooks: .ipynb rendered as HTML
- Archives and tables: view contents of ZIP, TAR, 7z, CSV, TSV
How it behaves on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
The tool is distributed as a universal binary, so it runs natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon processors rather than under translation. Because it integrates with the native Quick Look interface introduced in modern macOS APIs, previews open inside Finder instead of launching separate apps. That design reduces the need to switch processes, keeping the desktop workflow focused for technical users who inspect many files.
Is it appropriate for secure or managed environments?
The project is open-source under the MIT license and is community-maintained, which provides visibility into its codebase. Previews occur inside the Quick Look extension without opening full editors, so the workflow avoids repeated app launches. Installers from the GitHub releases page may require a terminal step to bypass macOS quarantine because the app is not notarized, a relevant consideration for controlled desktops.
Do I need technical knowledge to run and maintain it?
For basic use, no deep skills are required: pressing the Spacebar in Finder opens previews that follow system Dark Mode. Power users who install manually should know how to use Homebrew or handle a DMG; the repository provides a Homebrew cask and GitHub releases. Maintenance is visible and handled publicly by chamburr, so updates and fixes are trackable by those who follow the project.
Practical choice for technical Finder workflows, with one installation caveat
The app is a pragmatic option for developers and data professionals who need rapid in-Finder previews for code and datasets. Its community maintenance and native universal binaries support modern Mac setups, but installers may require a manual quarantine bypass on some systems. For anyone who routinely inspects files inside Finder, the tool reduces context switching and suits desktop workflows used by technical users.
