What Are Smart Folders
A GoMount Smart Folder is a saved search that behaves like a folder. Instead of browsing a fixed path, a Smart Folder asks a question — "show me all PDFs modified this week" or "show every file tagged Invoice under 2026" — and updates its contents automatically whenever the underlying files change.
Smart Folders live inside File Hub and are tied to a schema. They do not move or duplicate files; they simply provide a dynamic view into your NAS, cloud storage, or local volumes based on the conditions you define.
Creating a Smart Folder
You can create a Smart Folder from any active search in the File Hub or from the Smart Folder manager.
- Open File Hub from the main GoMount window or menu bar.
- Choose a schema, then enter a search in the toolbar. For example, search for
kind:image created:todayor pick tags from the tag tree. - Click the Save Search button next to the search field, or choose File > New Smart Folder.
- Give the Smart Folder a name, such as
Today's PhotosorQ3 Invoices. - Review the search conditions and click Save.
Pro tip: Combine multiple conditions for precise results. You can mix filename patterns, date ranges, file kinds, and tag predicates in a single Smart Folder.
v1.5 Sidebar Bridge
GoMount 1.5 introduces a sidebar bridge for Smart Folders. Saved searches now appear as first-class items in the File Hub sidebar, grouped under the active schema. Clicking a Smart Folder instantly runs its query and displays the results.
The bridge removes the friction of opening the Smart Folder manager or retyping criteria. Your most important views are always visible alongside Favorites and the Tag Tree.
- Grouped by schema: Each schema shows only its own Smart Folders.
- One-click execution: Click a Smart Folder to run the saved search immediately.
- Drag to reorder: Arrange Smart Folders in the sidebar to match your workflow.
- Rename inline: Right-click and choose Edit to update the name or conditions.
Schema Isolation
Smart Folders respect the same schema boundaries as Favorites and tags. A Smart Folder created under your Work schema only searches files within that schema's scope, while a Personal schema keeps family and media searches separate.
- Free plan: 1 schema, with one set of Smart Folders.
- Free plan + telemetry rewards: 2 schemas, each with its own Smart Folders.
- Pro plan: 3 schemas, each with its own Smart Folders.
When you switch schemas, the sidebar bridge updates automatically to show the Smart Folders belonging to the active schema.
Managing Smart Folders
To review or edit all Smart Folders, open the Smart Folder Manager from the File Hub menu or sidebar header.
- Edit conditions: Select a Smart Folder and modify its predicates. The change applies immediately the next time the search runs.
- Duplicate: Copy an existing Smart Folder as a starting point for a new query.
- Delete: Removing a Smart Folder does not delete the files it matched. It only removes the saved search.
- Export/Import: Back up Smart Folder definitions or share them across Macs by exporting the schema configuration.
Practical Use Cases
Smart Folders become more powerful as your NAS grows. Here are a few workflows that save time every day.
- Recent downloads:
kind:any modified:today path:/Volumes/NAS/Downloads— surface files that arrived today. - Untagged imports:
tag:none created:this-week— find photos or documents that still need organization. - Project deliverables:
kind:pdf tag:2026 tag:ClientA— collect final files across a scattered project tree. - Large files for cleanup:
size:>1GB— identify heavy files before syncing or backing up.
Tips & Shortcuts
- Start with a manual search, verify the results, then save it as a Smart Folder. This avoids surprises later.
- Use Favorites for fixed paths you visit often, and Smart Folders for dynamic collections that change over time.
- Combine Smart Folders with grid selection and clipboard to batch-select matching files for transfer or tagging.
- If a Smart Folder returns no results, check that the active schema is correct and that the search path is currently mounted.
- Smart Folder queries run locally against GoMount's index. Keep your index healthy by allowing the app to finish its initial scan after adding new storage.