# subpathsOfDirectory(atPath:) Performs a deep enumeration of the specified directory and returns the paths of all of the contained subdirectories. ``` func subpathsOfDirectory(atPath path: String) throws -> [String] ``` ## Parameters `path` The path of the directory to list. ## Return Value An array of strings, each containing the path of an item in the directory specified by `path`. When using Objective-C, returns `nil` if an error occurred. ## Discussion This method recurses the specified directory and its subdirectories. The method skips the “`.`” and “`..`” directories at each level of the recursion. Because this method recurses the directory’s contents, you might not want to use it in performance-critical code. Instead, consider using the [`enumeratorAtURL:includingPropertiesForKeys:options:errorHandler:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSFileManager/enumeratorAtURL:includingPropertiesForKeys:options:errorHandler:) or [`enumerator(atPath:)`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/enumerator(atPath:)) method to enumerate the directory contents yourself. Doing so gives you more control over the retrieval of items and more opportunities to complete the enumeration or perform other tasks at the same time. > Handling Errors in Swift: > In Swift, this method returns a nonoptional result and is marked with the `throws` keyword to indicate that it throws an error in cases of failure. > > You call this method in a `try` expression and handle any errors in the `catch` clauses of a `do` statement, as described in [Error Handling](https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/LanguageGuide/ErrorHandling.html) in [The Swift Programming Language](https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/) and `About Imported Cocoa Error Parameters`. ## See Also [`- enumeratorAtURL:includingPropertiesForKeys:options:errorHandler:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSFileManager/enumeratorAtURL:includingPropertiesForKeys:options:errorHandler:) Returns a directory enumerator object that can be used to perform a deep enumeration of the directory at the specified URL. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)