At the end of 2010, we released an exclusive Mac utility app, called Structurer. This app allows you to rapidly create file/folder structures for your new projects. Less than a month later, the developer, Cesar Tessarin, is back with a much improved version which now provides support for template creation, as well as assigning custom content automatically to newly created files. It’s fantastic, and, even better, 100% free to all of our readers!
Overview of Structurer
Download Structurer
Though this is quite a simple utility app, it can be incredibly useful. We hope you enjoy it! After using, be sure to let us know, via the comments, what features you would like to see added! A huge thank you goes out to Cesar Tessarin for building this app for our Mac readers.
Go Structurer Pro
Exclusive to our Premium members, Structurer Pro provides even more functionality and convenience! Check it out here.
Release Log
- March 21st, 2011 | Version 1.3 | Code refactoring, added new shortcuts for zooming and minimizing windows, and a new preference to open the project folder after it’s created.
- Jan 7th, 2010 | Version 1.2 | Solves problems on folder and file contents. Update recommended to all users.
- January 4th, 2010 | Version 1.0 | First official release.
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Jeffrey Way
Join our newsletter!
Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Nettuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
This is useful app on Mac, thanks for share it
Wow, this will save me a lot of boring setup work.
Just a tip: Maybe you could make an Adobe AIR version. This way we could use it on our Windows pc’s too.
Seconded.
I can see needing this for Windows if you don’t own a Mac, but if you do and still want this on your windows PC, you could always just create your site in a dropbox folder that syncs to Windows.
A win version would definitely rock
Hello Sitebase,
About AIR, there is only one problem: I don’t know how to work with it. I can’t even tell you if it’s suitable to this kind of app…
Couldn’t titanium achieve this?
Is there any chance to see this new version working in 10.5.x ?
No, it doesn’t work on 10.5 :(
Hey Christos,
I’m sorry, after this update it’s even more difficult to create a 10.5 version. To be more specific, most of it needs to be rewritten.
I have no plans on releasing a 10.5 version anymore, at least not so early. But I’ll consider doing it once some free time appears.
Anyway, I think the 10.6 update is worthwhile :-P
Is there also a windows version?
Hmm, I liked the first version, and this is even better – Because of the Content fill stuff – But, I’ve seen when I press “Create” Then I first need to open the finder windows, press desktop before it appear on my desktop? I have tried reinstalling the app – But still acting the same.
Do you guys know any solution?
Sorry Lucas, but I couldn’t understand what you mean exactly. Maybe you didn’t set the base path?
Wow! Awesome update! Thanks for that :)
I was literally thinking the other day, wouldn’t it be nice if I didn’t have to manually create the project structure each and every time I begin a new project. This is going to save me so much time, thank you for releasing such a brilliant and helpful application.
Super nice! Simple and up to the task.
Fantastic just such a shame that there is no app for the pc like this.
this makes it so much more useful to have a mac.
I was wondering how you downloaded codeigniter straight away but I understand now how it extracts it for you which is very cool
also unrelated but which screen casting program do you use Jeffrey.
Screenflow.
Ah it is music to my ears to hear a PC user complain that something is only available for Mac and not PC!
There are a couple of attempts to mimic this application for Windows, but at least I didn’t get them to work right. As a totally off-topic message, if some of you are still trying to make one for Windows and don’t know where to start, here’s a snippet of how to handle those lines. No exceptions are caught and this is purely a quick test code, but it seems some people might find it helpful.
private void handleLine(string line)
{
//Case 1: Has no /
//Case 2: Ends with /
//Case 3: Begins with /
//Case 4: Contains a /
if (line[0] == ‘/’)
{
//Current folder is currFolder
File.Create(currFolder + line);
}
else if (line[line.Length - 1] == ‘/’)
{
//Current folder changes, not a file
currFolder = basePath;
currFolder += line;
Directory.CreateDirectory(currFolder);
}
else if (line.IndexOf(‘/’) > 0)
{
//Current changes + a file
currFolder = basePath;
currFolder += line.Substring(0, line.IndexOf(‘/’));
Directory.CreateDirectory(currFolder);
File.Create(currFolder + line.Substring(line.IndexOf(‘/’)));
}
else
{
//Current folder is basePath
currFolder = basePath;
File.Create(currFolder + line);
}
}
Thanks for this awesome snippet! I will begin working on a windows version for it now!
Hi,
here’s a link to the full source code. It supports the templates, :beginhtml -type tags as seen on the video and downloading from url’s (but zip files are only unzipped if they end with .zip).
To download a file, write /:ci (or whatever you set it to be).
Hope this helps you, but I must warn, I wrote the code in one afternoon, so it’s quick and dirty ;)
http://www.uta.fi/~as77893/Structurer.zip
Thanks! I will download it now.
Looks excellent! It has all of the stuff in the mac version, so, what else to do?
Clean it up?
Catch errors?
Yes, clean it up and catch errors, but most importantly, see if you can come up with any new features. One could be an export button, that saves all the presets in a zip file and then an import button for that file, so users could share – and move between computers – their presets.
Make it good and maybe offer it for a freebie here or maybe write a tutorial on making it for your own site. Put up a git repository at github.com and let people continue developing it. Maybe just use it yourself, maybe study the code and see if you can learn something from it or maybe just be happy and start a new project. What ever you like.
Happy coding ;)
Oh, one last thing, I set up a GitHub repo for this code. It also has an installer for anyone who wishes to try it out. It should work fairly similar to the Structurer version of 5th Jan.
https://github.com/duxx/Structurer-Win
It does not work as expected, maybe we can create a clone together?
Add me on msn: msn@learnwebdev.org
It’s kind that you guys are trying to benefit windows users. But if you’re going to continue this project, make sure to create another app. Not Structurer.
Hi,
just to be sure: are you asking to take down the repo? Because I would totally understand and comply. Or is it just that the applications are too similar? Or is it just the name?
Hey Antti, no need to delete anything, but renaming would be nice.
Ok, I’ve taken down the old files and made a new git repo with a new name. Also all references to the name ‘Structurer’ should now be removed. If it’s okay with you Cesar, I’ll still post the link to the new repo here, but if at any time you want it to be deleted, just let me know.
I genuinely think that your application features great innovations and what I’ve done is nothing more than a tribute to your code, in other words I was just inspired by your work and hoped to allow the PC users access to your fine application.
I sincerely hope there’s no hard feelings :)
https://github.com/duxx/FolderCreationUtilityForDevelopment
No worries Antti,
It’s just important to keep applications separated now. If we decide to port it or the project becomes solid in the future we can join both and have the official windows version. For now, it’s better to keep as another tool.
Best wishes
I definitely hope you two will try and cooperate together. This seems like a really great application and very useful, especially with the automatic downloading.
I’m downloading the ‘windows version’ now. (from Kamel/Antti)
I’ll let you know how it works. :D
Wow, you guys are really fast!
Loved to see that there’s a win port so soon!
So bad I cannot have a Mac to use Structurer, but I’m glad to have a solution to use it on Win :D
im switching back to hackintosh
Woa. That was fast! Didn’t expect the new version so soon, but I’m really happy that it’s here. Really good job! :)
Sweet app!
Just what the doctor ordered ! Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Fantastic app guys, it set’s up my homepage, and all the folders/files i need including all the code i need to just go ahead and start.
I’ve even filled it with .NET files as I code markup on my mac then server-side code on my PC, but when i want to transfer it, I already have those files too – win.
Any plans to get this working on 10.5.x
I’m on 10.5.8 and getting the following error:
“You cannot use this version of the application Structurer with this version of Mac OS X”
Thanks.
_charlie
Awesome app!
What I would like to see in a future version is a command line tool for this app, where I can easily just type commands in Terminal to make a new project, e.g.:
./structurer basic ~/Sites/mysite/
Where ‘basic’ is the template, and ‘~/Sites/mysite/’ is the directory :-)
Very much seconded. And then put your templates in a ~/.structurerrc file.
LOVE THIS!! this is so useful for my web projects!!! THANK YOU!!
Awesome!
The only thing i’m missing now is support for syncing templates and content to several machines (preferably with MobileMe). Where is the content saved? Any chance to copy it manually to avoid the rather long setup process for all my machines?
Agreed, that would be nice.
Hello Johan,
As I replied to Jeffrey’s comment (see page 1 ;) ) I’ll create a system to export/import database items as soon as time permits. Syncing machines is not a bad idea, but takes some time to do. I’ll consider including it in future updates.
I’d not recommend copying parts of the database. It’s not in a human readable format, so any inappropriate little change can cause a lot of trouble.
Just an idea:
What about creating an option to manually set the location of the which holds the data (~/Library/Application Support/Structurer/structurerdata). That way it could be placed my dropbox which is always synced across my computers.
One more reason to “hate” you guys… I love to use this on my Mac, but when I get to my job and have to work with a PC I think “Where is structurer? How can I live without this?”
Thank you :)
Tragic story. I feel for you. Why can’t you use a Mac at work?
Because, although my boss loves mac and has a mac, we all have to use PC’s… But I have a promisse to keep is macbook pro when he buys a new one :)
Here is again the Windows Adobe Air Version of Structurer: http://www.file-upload.net/download-3090889/Structurer-for-Windows.air.html
It does not include all the new features but i’m working on that.
It’s also free for download. Check it out.
Now I’ve seen the previous posts… :S
Guess that, with you version, there is also another solution for Windows.
Thank you both :)
Hello Stephan, please scroll up around 3100px and check my comment.
Hello Cesar, i’m sorry I didn’t notice your post. Of course im changing the name of this app. It should be a tribute to a great program ;).
I have deleted the File from the download-server. Maybe later i put it back up again…with a different name if anyone is interestet in an Air Version …
Any chance of adding the Sparkle framework for auto-updating or at least increasing the version number of the app to identify changes.
Hello Hector,
I’m really sorry, I’ve also been thinking about the version number, that I forgot to increase, these last days. Next release.
About auto updates: unfortunately we don’t have any servers dedicated right now, but it’s a feature that was in the back of my mind since early versions. I’ll consider including it in the future.
Dear Jeffrey,
i make a windows apps (C#) from copying your functions of your previous version last week.
haha, i seem that not only me to rewrite this app to other platform.
it is a good idea to simply those creating folders and files procedure.
Awesome update ~~
Hey,
Thank your for that great piece of software!
It would be very helpful if one could copy dir contents in an existing folder.
So for example if I am downloading a fresh copy of wordpress, I would like to copy a blank theme from a an other dir. If I set it up like creating a new folder, the initial content of wp-content/themes/ gets overwritten.
Thanks again for your great software :)
Hello Johnny,
Actually you can copy contents from another folder. Check quick reference. But I’m not sure it it’s what you mean.
Probably it’s not been overwritten, it’s not copying the folder from the zip. In other words, the files and folder explicitly declared are created before the download. When the download finishes, the file is extracted and a folder named “themes” already exists so it’s not decompressed there.
I’m just supposing this. If that’s the case, well, I need to review some things in the app.
Anyway, I’d not recommend dealing with folders that will be created from a download that is not downloaded yed. It’s hard to guarantee success in this case. Instead, first download WordPress and create independent structures. After that, once files and folders downloaded were successfully created, you’re free to clear your structure text and type another to include content in those files and folders.
Nice, the update is awesome! Only thing is that I can’t figure out how to use the file/folder contents method in the content manager. Trying to copy files from a folder (want to copy the 960.gs base psd’s to the psd folder of my basic project structure) gives some sort of an error.
And trying to copy the contents of a file just doesn’t seem to work, it ignores it. Say, if I try to copy the contents of the 960.css from the original 960 folder to a new css in my css folder, I set the path in content manager, select the file. Then use css/960.css:960 but it just ignores the entire file altogether, doesn’t create it.
Hey Ragnar,
Thanks, due to your description and after reviewing the process I found a bug. I’m 99% sure it’s responsible for causing your problems.
A new version will be uploaded, recommended to all users
Sorry for the trouble.
Does this have to do with the fact that, when I am in Contents manager- and I create a new item- say moccahtml …
- it get’s it’s content from another file..it so in file path I select that file
- I then add another item
- I go back to moccahtml
…the contents of File Path is now empty- which explains why the file moccahtml does not exist (or is empty- not sure what it was) Same with Folders and such. It seems to overwrite the ‘file path’ somehow.
awesome tool by the way. Can’t wait for it to work. :)
Hey, Cesar
Thanks for reproducing and confirming that I wasn’t just being stupid, haha. Can’t wait for the update.
Also, Cesar, would it be possible for you to implement automatic updates through the app itself? Instead of coming here to check every time. Also, the app could use a website, for sure! :)
I also noted that there is some sort of a bug with rewriting/resaving the templates. After you resave it, restart, the templates are blank.
And in overall, the template management should be a bit better, have better capabilities of editing, re-saving, deleting etc. Maybe you can create the template management section as a sidebar, rather than a dropdown. Instead have a list of templates in the sidebar, maybe even add the ability to create different folders for you structure templates for better organizing.
Also I figured that you could do a set of default actions in the content manager. Like the latest wordpress, latest jQuery etc. All the popular stuff that people use all the time. And why not even create a set of basic templates for different uses, which already make use of the default actions. Would probably help understand the way the app works a bit better for the guys who haven’t seen the video tutorial.
Just some suggestions. :)
Simply amazing.
Great app! Thanks for making it available! Your hard work is appreciated, and I’m not even going to make any feature requests. :)
Feature Request: Exportable Templates/Settings
This would be awesome! So you can define company wide standards for all project setups. What do you think?
Any thoughts on opening up the source so that people can suggest and contribute enhancements and fixes?
This is so cool, thanks so much this is such pleasure to work with =)
This is brilliant and much appreciated! Thanks for such an awesome tool.
You can do this yourself with Automator. It just takes a few minutes to setup.
Woooooow, fantastic APP.
^_____^
Any way to keep the app in the menu bar? If not, that would be a great feature for easy access. Thanks for the app, it’s great!
Thanks for this time saving Mac Utility App. Really a great update!
Really useful application. I’m using it often. A good feature would be if the just created folder opens up so that you can drag it into any other application.
But thanks for this saving my time ;-)
this is simply amazing!
I’m unable to download zip file from wordpress.org using the PC version.
The unzipping currently only works with files, that end with .zip. So if you set the url to http://www.something.com/download.php, it won’t automatically extract the files. It’s really a silly bug…
Goddamnit! I’m on 10.5.8 here at work. And I don’t know when they’ll decide to finally upgrade.
Definitly going to fiddle with it at home though.
Just a note, you should probably not overwrite the native Command + M for minimize with the content manager.
That might be personal preference, but it just doesn’t seem right.
Just downloaded it and looking forward to trying it out. Watching the demo it looks like it’ll save some time setting up projects. Thanks for sharing :)
No more boring setup work, good work!
Thank you! Its what I like! Simple and minimal ;)
Would be nice if it was included in the finder! Just click, type and add ;)
Dan
I use WordPress a lot but tend to put my own ‘bare-bones’ theme in there with a reset.css and jQuery etc.
It would be great if there was a way to add these files to a new theme after WordPress has been downloaded and unzipped.
Hey, this little bad boy is fantastic. Is there any way to bundle up a template with some content manager settings into a file you could share? If not, that would be a killer feature. People could set up scaffolds and share em and all sorts of goodness.
Another extremely useful feature would be file+folder name variables. For example, {app_name} or %app_name% or some similar delimiter. You could set them on the fly when you create your structure, and they’d populate inside of your files and as your file names.
I could generate an entire CodeIgniter skeleton this way without having to rename my basic app vars all over. It would be fantastic.
very useful, saves some boring work at the beginning of each web project…
This is totally awesome! Unfortunately I don’t have a Mac and so I decided to make my own Windows version.
I have yet to implement Templates, the Content Manager and archive-downloading, but other than, it works.
If anyone wants to help, please fork it at:
https://github.com/SuprDewd/Structurer
Is it possible to export settings as a txt file or project files – this way you could share these settings with other colleagues or freelancers.
Hi guys, really loved the app. But I am having some problems. I can not create 2 files in the same folder. For example, I want to create style.css and reset.css in the same folder but it does not work.
I am using this notation
index.html:beginhtml
style/
/reset.css
/style.css
js/jquery.js:jquery
imgs/
It only recognizes the style.css as a css file. the reset.css it shows as a text file, even tough the extension is .css.
Any help please?