Stop Cluttering Your Desktop: A Smarter Way to Save Screenshots on MacOS

RICKY DEFAZIO — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 01:31:38 +0000

BEFORE

Screenshots are awesome.

They’re a great way to show proof on pull requests, demonstrate features are complete on JIRA tickets, you name it. But let’s be honest… the default dumping ground isn’t cutting it.

Instead of hunting through a cluttered desktop, why not have your screenshots land neatly in your very own dedicated Screenshots folder?

Step 1: Create Your Screenshots Folder

Open Terminal, run: cd ~

This brings you to your home directory.

Make a new folder, run: mkdir Screenshots

This creates a fresh folder named “Screenshots”.

Open the folder in Finder, run: open .

Now you should see your brand-new Screenshots folder.

Step 2: Place the Folder in Your Dock

Drag your newly created Screenshots folder to the right side of your Dock (the spot reserved for files, folders, and the Trash). It’ll snap in next to your Downloads folder, making it easy to find.

Step 3: Redirect Your Screenshot Saves

Now, let’s make your Mac save screenshots to this folder automatically.

In Terminal, run: defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Screenshots

Refresh the screenshot service, run: killall SystemUIServer

That’s it. From now on, your screenshots will be neatly organized in one place. No more scrambling around your desktop.

This helps me stay organized. I hope it does the same for you!

AFTER

From 'School Dropout' To Software Engineer

RICKY DEFAZIO — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 16:21:01 +0000

Primary school was like a prison to me,
a tedious and soul-draining journey to nowhere.

In 8th grade, I made a choice.
By 9th grade, I took action.
I quit.

What's next?

Thinking
Reading
Community College

I climbed the academic ladder,
earned some achievements and awards,
and transferred to a top-tier university.

8 Dean's List Awards
Phi Theta Kappa
Psi Chi
Magna Cum Laude

I earned an honors degree in Psychology
while learning Web Development on the side.

Ever experience a shift in your passion?
After graduation, I enrolled in Computer Science.

One semester covered the foundations,
but the program was padded with filler classes.

🗣️ "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

I left behind traditional schooling,
designed my own curriculum,
integrated it with reputable online resources,
and accelerated my learning.

A few months later — I accepted an offer!
And so began my career as a developer!

The Takeaway?

Embrace life's unexpected turns.
It makes the ride more enjoyable.

DEV Community: RICKY DEFAZIO

Stop Cluttering Your Desktop: A Smarter Way to Save Screenshots on MacOS

Step 1: Create Your Screenshots Folder

Step 2: Place the Folder in Your Dock

Step 3: Redirect Your Screenshot Saves

From 'School Dropout' To Software Engineer