Can I vibecode Hazel?

YES · one-shottable
price variesbuild time one sittingcategory ⚙️ productivity utilitiesreplaced by 2 people

The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Hazel, watch selected folders and apply transparent file rules with previews and logs. The hard boundary is mature filesystem automation, rule depth, apple integrations, and reliability, plus os integration polish and maintenance.

the prompt
Build a personal replacement for Hazel in an empty repository.
Use Swift 6, SwiftUI, AppKit where necessary, SQLite, and the macOS Keychain; do not offer alternative stacks.
The core loop is: watch selected folders in a focused macOS utility, apply transparent file rules with previews and logs, expose keyboard-first controls, and store settings locally.
Make the first run work locally with one documented command.
Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward.
Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials.
Create a menu-bar app with a searchable command window and global hotkey.
Implement only the primary feature and one settings screen instead of a plugin platform.
Request permissions just in time and explain why each is needed before opening System Settings.
Store configuration locally, support export or import, and never capture unrelated user content.
Add launch-at-login, update-check opt-in, diagnostics export, and a complete uninstall note.
Write unit tests for transformation logic and one UI test for the core keyboard workflow.
Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states.
Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs.
Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path.
Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps.
Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane.
Deliberately leave out a third-party extension marketplace.
Deliberately leave out cloud accounts and cross-device sync.
Deliberately leave out broad automation that executes untrusted scripts.
Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used.

$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter) or copy it raw · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR

why people still pay

People still pay for Hazel because small utilities are technically reproducible, but customers pay for polish and immediate fixes when an OS update breaks a daily habit. The recurring cost buys permissions, accessibility APIs, sandboxing, signing, notarization, OS regressions, updates, backups, and support, not just the visible interface.

what you lose

xmature filesystem automation, rule depth, Apple integrations, and reliability

xyears of OS-version edge cases

xlarge extension ecosystem

xcross-device sync

xcommercial support and rapid compatibility fixes

share on X ↗"I just replaced Hazel with one prompt"
the escape hatch

Don't feel like building it? These folks already made it free.

FForelHazel's folder rules, previews, history, and Finder tags, fresh enough that the paint is still wet.275jul 2026open source

no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

the numbers

Hazel pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
hazel 6customSingle-user perpetual licence for Hazel 6 and all Hazel 6 updates.
hazel 6 family packcustomUp to 5 members of one private household; perpetual Hazel 6 licence.
upgrade to hazel 6customUpgrade from any previous Hazel version while retaining the existing single/family licence type.

free tierno free tier

billingone-time purchase; no monthly or annual plan; trial available

hidden costsFuture major versions can require a paid upgrade, although the purchased Hazel 6 version keeps working. Volume licensing is quoted separately.

verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗

questions
Can I vibecode Hazel?

Yes. A competent AI coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) can build a usable personal Hazel replacement in one session with the prompt on this page. It runs on your own machine or server with no subscription.

How much does Hazel cost?

Hazel's pricing is usage-based or varies by plan · Sold as a one-time licence..

What do I lose by replacing Hazel?

Honestly: mature filesystem automation, rule depth, Apple integrations, and reliability; years of OS-version edge cases; large extension ecosystem; cross-device sync; commercial support and rapid compatibility fixes. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to Hazel?

Yes: Forel (Hazel's folder rules, previews, history, and Finder tags, fresh enough that the paint is still wet.) The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.

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