Storage Studio

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App relocator

The app relocator moves applications off your boot disk while keeping them launchable from their original path. macOS, Spotlight, the Dock, Launchpad, and your scripts never notice the difference.

How it works

For each app you select:

  1. The bundle is copied to /Volumes/<NVMe>/Applications/<App>.app.
  2. The original /Applications/<App>.app is replaced with a

symlink pointing at the new location.

  1. The relocation is recorded in MoverLog

(~/.storagestudio/state/app-moves/) for restore.

Restore

Open the Apps window, find the relocated app, click Restore. The relocator reads MoverLog, copies the bundle back to /Applications, removes the symlink, and updates the log.

Refuse-list

The relocator refuses to move system-critical apps even if you select them. The refuse-list covers:

  • Apple's stock apps (Safari, Mail, Calendar, Notes, etc.)
  • Anything that signed extensions, helpers, or login items into

system paths

  • Apps with apparent kernel extensions, virtual cameras, or audio

drivers

  • VPN clients with system-level network components

If you really need to move one of these, the refuse-list is editable in Preferences → Apps. Do so at your own risk — Storage Studio won't be able to support you if breakage results.

What this doesn't do

  • It doesn't reduce the size of Library/Application Support for

the app — only the bundle moves.

  • It doesn't migrate apps between Macs.
  • It doesn't change Spotlight indexing (the symlink is followed).