> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/squash/quick-guide/main-window.md).
# Main Window
Finding your way around the Squash 4 interface
Squash 4 keeps your batch and its settings in one window. The **image list** is on the left, the **settings sidebar** is on the right, and the **preset menu** is in the toolbar above the sidebar. The [preview](/squash/quick-guide/editor.md) fills the space between them. The round **Add Images** button sits at the top of the image list, beside the button that shows and hides the list, and a bar at the bottom of the settings sidebar holds the **Activity** button and **Export Images**.
### Importing images
Drag images or folders from the Finder into the window. Squash looks through subfolders for supported images. You can also click the round **Add Images** button at the top of the image list (it hides while the list is collapsed) or choose **File → Import Images…** (**Command-O**).
When the image list already has images, dragging files over it shows two drop zones:
* **Replace**, the top third of the list, swaps the current batch for the new images. To get the previous batch back, choose **Edit → Undo** (**Command-Z**) or click **Undo** in the "Replaced N images" notice that appears.
* **Add**, the rest of the list, adds the new images to the batch.
Dropping files on the preview always adds them to the batch.
When the list is empty, or when you use **Add Images** or **File → Import Images…**, the **Replace previous images** setting in [Settings](/squash/quick-guide/preferences.md) decides whether a new import replaces the batch or adds to it. It is on by default. Hold **Option** while importing to do the opposite for that import.
You can also use **Open With → Squash** in the Finder.
Imported images are kept for the current session. Save your settings with [Presets](/squash/quick-guide/presets.md) before quitting if you want to reuse them.
### Reading the image list
Each row shows the image's thumbnail and the filename it will be saved with. This is the original filename unless [Rename](/squash/quick-guide/nodes/rename.md) changes it; hover over the name to see the original. If two images in the batch would be saved with the same name, Squash adds `-2`, `-3` and so on to the later ones, and the list shows those final names. A warning triangle means that saving would replace the original file.
Below the name, the row shows the original file size and the compressed size, such as **2.1 MB → 93 KB**. The compressed size is shown in red if it is larger than the original, as **…** while the image is being squashed, and as **–** before it has been squashed. While Squash describes an image for its filename, the name shimmers; if describing fails, a retry button appears beside the name.
**Automatically compress images** is on by default in [Settings](/squash/quick-guide/preferences.md), so Squash calculates compressed sizes in the background when you import images or change processing settings. If you turn the option off, choose **File → Squash** (**Command-S**) or right-click a row to squash that image, the selected images or the whole batch. Squashing calculates the results without saving files to your destination.
When the Rename template uses **Describe**, Squash starts writing descriptive filenames with [Apple Intelligence](/squash/quick-guide/ai.md) on your Mac as soon as images are added. Export also completes any missing filenames before saving.
### Activity and exporting
The **Activity** button (the progress ring at the bottom left of the settings sidebar, beside **Export Images**) combines everything Squash is doing: squashing, describing and exporting. Hover over it to see what is running, or click it to open the Activity popover, which opens upwards. From there you can:
* **Stop** squashing or describing.
* See which images couldn't be described and choose **Retry Failed**.
* Follow running exports, **Cancel** one, and see **Recent Exports** with **Show in Finder**.
* Choose **Process All** when nothing is running, to squash the whole batch again, for example after you have cancelled processing.
**Export Images**, pinned to the bottom of the settings sidebar, exports the whole batch using your current settings.
### Selecting and removing images
Click a row to select it. Use **Command-click** for separate images, **Shift-click** for a range, or **Command-A** while the list has focus to select all. Arrow keys move through the images; Shift-arrow extends the selection.
Press **Delete** or choose **Remove** from the row's context menu to remove selected images. To clear the batch, choose **File → Remove All Images** (**Command-Delete**) and confirm. Removing images from Squash does not delete the original files.
### Previewing, copying and exporting
Select a row to show it in the [preview](/squash/quick-guide/editor.md).
Right-click an image for **Copy Original**, **Copy Squashed**, Finder actions and **Export Image To…**. You can also drag an image out of Squash to export a processed copy to the destination you drop it on.
**File → Export Selected Image As…** saves the current image to a location you choose. See [Export](/squash/quick-guide/nodes/export.md) for destination choices and overwrite behaviour, and [Image Settings](/squash/quick-guide/nodes.md) for the sidebar controls.
Squash 3 reference screenshots
These screenshots show the earlier Squash 3 interface.
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