# enumerateDirectory(_:startingAt:verifier:attributes:packer:replyHandler:) Enumerates the contents of the given directory. ``` func enumerateDirectory(_ directory: FSItem, startingAt cookie: FSDirectoryCookie, verifier: FSDirectoryVerifier, attributes: FSItem.GetAttributesRequest?, packer: FSDirectoryEntryPacker, replyHandler reply: @escaping @Sendable (FSDirectoryVerifier, (any Error)?) -> Void) ``` ## Parameters `directory` The item to enumerate. FSKit guarantees this item is of type [`FSItem.ItemType.directory`](/documentation/FSKit/FSItem/ItemType/directory). `cookie` A value that indicates the location within the directory from which to enumerate. Your implementation defines the semantics of the cookie values; they’re opaque to FSKit. The first call to the enumerate method passes [`initial`](/documentation/FSKit/FSDirectoryCookie/initial) for this parameter. Subsequent calls pass whatever cookie value you previously passed to the packer’s `nextCookie` parameter. `verifier` A tool to detect whether the directory contents changed since the last call to `enumerateDirectory`. Your implementation defines the semantics of the verifier values; they’re opaque to FSKit. The first call to the enumerate method passes [`initial`](/documentation/FSKit/FSDirectoryVerifier/initial) for this parameter. Subsequent calls pass whatever cookie value you previously passed to the packer’s `currentVerifier` parameter. `attributes` The desired attributes to provide, or `nil` if the caller doesn’t require attributes. `packer` An object that your implementation uses to enumerate directory items, packing one item per callback to `enumerateDirectory`. `reply` A block or closure to indicate success or failure. If enumeration succeeds, pass the current verifier and a `nil` error. If enumeration fails, pass the relevant error as the second parameter; FSKit ignores any verifier in this case. For an `async` Swift implementation, there’s no reply handler; simply return the current verifier or throw an error. ## Discussion This method uses the [`packEntry(name:itemType:itemID:nextCookie:attributes:)`](/documentation/FSKit/FSDirectoryEntryPacker/packEntry(name:itemType:itemID:nextCookie:attributes:)) method of the `packer` parameter to deliver the enumerated items to the caller. The general flow of an enumeration implementation follows these steps: 1. Enumeration starts with a call to `enumerateDirectory` using the initial next-cookie and verifier values [`initial`](/documentation/FSKit/FSDirectoryCookie/initial) and [`initial`](/documentation/FSKit/FSDirectoryVerifier/initial), respectively. 2. The implementation uses `packer` to pack the initial set of directory entries. Packing also sets a `nextCookie` to use on the next call. 3. The implementation replies with a new verifier value, a nonzero value that reflects the directory’s current version. 4. On the next call the implementation packs the next set of entries, starting with the item indicated by `cookie`. If `cookie` doesn’t resolve to a valid directory entry, complete the request with an error of domain and code [`FSError.Code.invalidDirectoryCookie`](/documentation/FSKit/FSError/Code/invalidDirectoryCookie). When packing, make sure to use acceptable directory entry names and unambiguous input to all file operations that take names without additional normalization, such as`lookupName`. > Tip: If the `attributes` parameter is `nil`, include at least two entries in a directory: `"."` and `".."`, which represent the current and parent directories, respectively. Both of these items have type ``doc://FSKit/documentation/FSKit/FSItem/ItemType/directory``. For the root directory, `"."` and `".."` have identical contents. Don’t pack `"."` and `".."` if `attributes` isn’t `nil`. --- 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)