How to Compress Folders in Terminal on Mac

When it comes to managing files and folders, having the right tools can make all the difference. One such tool is the ability to compress folders using the terminal on your Mac. In this article, we will explore how you can do just that.

By default, Apple devices take and save screenshots in PNG format. I take dozens of screenshots on my iPhone and Mac every day for my articles. However, when it comes to image file size, there are several factors that can affect the final output. These include screen resolution, flash, camera type, image content and color depth, and image dimensions.

For instance, a screenshot taken from a retina display will have a larger file size compared to one taken from a non-retina display. Similarly, images taken with the primary camera on your iPhone or MacBook will generally have a larger file size than those taken with the front-facing camera.

If you find that your image files are taking up too much space on your Mac, there are several ways to compress them using the terminal. One method is to use the `gzip` command to compress the folder and its contents. Here's how:

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.

2. Navigate to the folder you want to compress using the `cd` command.

3. Use the following command to compress the folder: `gzip -r `

This will create a new archive file with the same name as the original folder, but with a `.gz` extension.

Another method is to use the `zip` command to compress the folder and its contents. Here's how:

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.

2. Navigate to the folder you want to compress using the `cd` command.

3. Use the following command to compress the folder: `zip -r .zip `

This will create a new archive file with the same name as the original folder, but with a `.zip` extension.

In both cases, you can specify additional options to customize the compression process. For example, you can use the `-f` option to force overwrite an existing file, or the `-v` option to display verbose output.

By compressing your folders using the terminal on your Mac, you can free up valuable storage space and keep your files organized and easily manageable.

Mac compress folder terminal