4-way or 8-way routes
Assign different actions to different drag directions so one gesture family can handle several file workflows.
Directional drag triggers
Turn the direction of a file drag into the action
SwiftBiu can treat a file or link drag as a trigger instead of only as a move operation. Configure a 4-direction or 8-direction radial layout, map directions to compatible actions, and optionally vary those routes by app.
Quick answer
Quick answer
SwiftBiu drag triggers let you drag a file or link toward a configured direction and run the action assigned to that route. Routes can use 4-way or 8-way layouts, combine with shortcuts, and be overridden per app.
Verified 2026-08-12
What drag triggers add
Drag + shortcut combinations
Use drag timing with a shortcut when you want more routes without overloading a single gesture.
Per-app routing
Let the same direction run different actions in Finder, an editor, or another configured app.
Useful drag-trigger workflows
1
Route an image to compression
Drag an image into the direction assigned to Image Compression and run the file action without first opening a separate tool.
- 1. Start dragging the image
- 2. Move toward the configured route
- 3. Run Image Compression
2
Use another direction for sharing
Keep AirDrop or system Share on a different route so the same drag gesture family can choose between processing and sending the file.
- 1. Drag the file
- 2. Choose the share direction
- 3. Continue in the system share flow
3
Change the route by app
Use an app-specific configuration so one direction can compress in one app and launch a plugin or another file action in another.
- 1. Create an app rule
- 2. Assign drag directions
- 3. Use the same gesture in context
Configure trigger rules instead of memorizing one global behavior
SwiftBiu exposes trigger rules in Preferences so copy, shortcut, gesture, and drag behavior can be configured rather than hard-coded.
Read the Trigger system section in the guide →
What to know about drag triggers
- info A route can run only actions compatible with the dragged content and the permissions available to that action.
- info File actions may require folder authorization because SwiftBiu runs inside the macOS App Sandbox.
- info Per-app overrides can intentionally replace global drag behavior, so review the active app rule when a route behaves differently in one app.
Drag triggers on Mac FAQ
It is a configured route that maps the direction of a file or link drag to a compatible SwiftBiu action.
Yes. SwiftBiu supports both 4-direction and 8-direction radial drag layouts.
Yes, when the plugin is compatible with the dragged content and has the required permissions, it can participate in configured trigger workflows.
Yes. App configurations can override global drag directions and file actions for specific apps.
Go deeper
Make a file drag choose the next action
Configure SwiftBiu drag routes so direction, shortcut timing, and app context can send a file to the workflow you intended.