rZip / docs / index

Introduction to rZip

Overview of rZip for macOS: dual-engine architecture (libarchive & 7-Zip), in-memory RAM inspection, and zero-network privacy.

What is rZip

rZip is a native macOS application (built with SwiftUI for macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 15 Sequoia, with universal support for Apple Silicon and Intel) designed to explore, verify, and manage compressed archives without extracting them.

Unlike traditional macOS archivers that decompress entire archives to disk just to preview a single file, rZip allows you to:

  • Browse internal folder trees with expandable branches.
  • Preview photos, PDFs, text files, and source code directly in volatile RAM without generating temporary cache files on disk.
  • Inspect application bundles (.app), frameworks, and installer packages (.pkg) without extracting them.
  • Extract individual files selectively by dragging them straight into Finder.
  • Open password-protected archives or multi-volume sets.
  • Create new compressed archives with AES-256 encryption and convert existing archives between different container formats.

Dual-Engine Architecture

rZip combines two high-performance archive engines to guarantee unmatched format breadth and extraction throughput:

EngineIntegrationManaged Formats and Workflows
libarchiveIn-process (macOS system library)High-speed listing, navigation, and in-memory QuickLook streaming of ZIP, RAR/RAR5, 7z, TAR, GZ, BZ2, XZ, ISO, CAB, LHA, CPIO, XAR, and multi-volume compressed TAR files (.tar.gz.001…).
7-Zip 26.03Embedded 7zz binary in Contents/MacOS (Sandbox with inherit entitlement)Encrypted file lists (7z -mhe, RAR -hp), password-protected contents (7z, RAR, WinZip AES-256), multi-volume spanned sets (.7z.001, .partN.rar, .rNN, .zNN), and archive creation.

Core Principles

  1. Zero Network Permissions (Strict Sandbox): The app lacks the com.apple.security.network.client entitlement. No files, metadata, cryptographic hashes, or passwords ever leave your Mac. The bundled 7zz binary runs inside the exact same sandbox without network capabilities.
  2. Zero Disk Churn for Reading: Opening an archive writes nothing to disk: previews and table catalogs are streamed entirely in volatile RAM (via libarchive or 7zz e -so).
  3. Safe Non-Overwriting Policy: Extraction operates strictly on explicit command. Existing files in the target directory are never overwritten (numeric increments such as Folder 2 are appended automatically). Single root items are extracted cleanly, while multi-item archives are placed into a named folder to prevent desktop clutter.

Next Steps