The Graphical Person Interface (GUI) instruments for Linux have advanced considerably over time. You could find among the greatest file managers for Linux as GUI instruments.
However in terms of the command line, most Linux customers resort to the ls command to search for information current on the system.
Few customers are conscious of TUI-based file explorers that make it extra handy to browse information in a terminal.
Let’s check out some neat terminal-based file administration utilities that work simply as simply as a GUI file supervisor. I’ve chosen a few minimal and feature-rich instruments, so be happy to select what works greatest for you.
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This record is in no explicit order.
1. Vifm
Vifm or Vi-file supervisor is a terminal-focused utility which is likely one of the greatest file managers for Linux. Because the title suggests, Vifm gives a Vim-like setting for managing objects inside the file system.
In case you are acquainted with Vi or Vim, this file supervisor will make you’re feeling proper at dwelling with the keyboard shortcuts. However, you need to use it for daily goal, even in case you are not a Vi professional.
Key options of Vifm:
Vim-like person mappingsDirectory tree comparisonOperation undoing/redoing/again groundingFUSE file programs supportColor schemes, which can be utilized to particular subtreesAdvanced file filtering and renaming capabilitiesNamed bookmarks (tags)SessionsBuilt-in integration with GNU Display and tmux
Putting in Vifm
Since it’s a widespread file supervisor, it’s obtainable within the default repository of many Linux distributions. On Ubuntu, you possibly can set up Vifm utilizing:
sudo apt set up vifm
Vifm, when invoked from the terminal, opens within the present working listing utilizing the next command:
vifm
2. Ranger
One other command-line based mostly widespread file supervisor, impressed by Vim, is Ranger. It’s a minimalistic file supervisor, with an analogous interface. Ranger has a file launcher, referred to as Rifle, that may open information based mostly on its sort.
Other than that, it provides a multi-pane view mode and all of the necessities.
Key options of Ranger:
UTF-8 Assist (in case your Python copy helps it)Multi-column displayPreview of the chosen file/directoryCommon file operations (create/chmod/copy/delete/…)Renaming a number of information at onceVIM-like console and hotkeysAutomatically decide file varieties and run them with right programsChange the listing of your shell after exiting rangerTabs, bookmarks, mouse help, and extra
Set up Ranger
Ranger is on the market to put in on the default repos of Ubuntu. Open a terminal and run the next command to get it put in:
sudo apt set up ranger
3. Midnight Commander
GNU Midnight Commander is a feature-rich file supervisor, that may do a lot of the vital file administration operations in a full-screen text-mode.
It additionally comes with an inside viewer and editor.
Key options of GNU Midnight Commander:
Constructed-in digital file system: manipulate distant file programs, browse archive filesMouse help on most terminal emulators for X Window System in addition to on the Linux consoleText and hex editors availableHotlist permits you to maintain a listing of widespread visited locationsCommand completion with Alt-Tab shortcutSubshell supportLinux file recoveryBuilt-in editor helps syntax highlighting and exterior actions, resembling spell checking and formattingFTP proxy help
Set up GNU Midnight Commander
Midnight Commander makes use of the package deal title mc in most system. So, in a terminal, run the command beneath to get it put in:
sudo apt set up mc
4. Superfile
Superfile is a contemporary terminal file supervisor written in Go. It provides an eye fixed sweet person interface with highly effective multi panel workflow.
Key options of Superfile:
Lovely person interfaceFully customizable from fundamental hotkey to theming and stylingAlmost full capabilities of a file supervisor are availablePlugin supportLinux and macOS help, with a doable Home windows installationSudo and Native installationOffers file preview
Set up Superfile
Earlier than putting in Superfile, be sure to have any Nerd Fonts put in. If not, set up any Nerd Font of your alternative.
Now, for all Linux customers, run the command beneath to put in Superfile.
bash -c “$(curl -sLo- https://superfile.netlify.app/set up.sh)”
Moreover, there are packages for Arch Linux in official repositories:
sudo pacman -S superfile
You possibly can examine extra set up choices on the official documentation.
As soon as put in, you could have to reopen your terminal. To start out Superfile, use the command:
spf
5. xplr
xplr is an intuitive and hackable file explorer with a deal with elevated productiveness by using the command-line file-system utilities.
This isn’t a file supervisor within the sense that you are able to do what a GUI file supervisor enables you to do. However, it really works extra as a file explorer, providing some highly effective instruments.
Key options of xplr:
Quick and minimalCustomizable layouts with built-in panelsSwitchable recuperate mode that saves you from doing undesirable issues when rushingEmbedded LuaJIT for portability and extensibilityCustom file properties with customized colours could be displayed within the tablePlugins and integrationsDifferent stop optionsCustom file properties with customized colours could be displayed within the desk
Set up xplr
In case you are an Arch Linux person, use the next command to put in it:
sudo pacman -S xplr
One other technique to set up is by utilizing the Crates. Ensure you have rust toolchain, gcc, and makepackages prepared. And, then run:
cargo set up –locked –force xplr
For all different customers, you possibly can at all times obtain the compiled binaries from the official releases web page.
6. Yazi
Yazi is a rust-based file supervisor in your terminal, which is exceptionally quick. It’s based mostly on non-blocking async I/O and goals to offer an environment friendly, user-friendly, and customizable file administration expertise.
Key options of Yazi:
Full Asynchronous SupportPowerful Async Activity Scheduling and ManagementBuilt-in Assist for A number of Picture ProtocolsBuilt-in Code Highlighting and Picture DecodingPlugin system with package deal supervisor for plugins and themes managementMulti-tab with scrollable previewIntegration with ripgrep, fd, fzf, and zoxideData Distribution Service
Set up Yazi
For Arch Linux, use:
sudo pacman -S yazi ffmpegthumbnailer p7zip jq poppler fd ripgrep fzf zoxide imagemagick
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For Yazi, a nerd-font is really useful to have put in.
For all different distributions, obtain the compiled binary from the official launch web page.
Extra set up strategies together with rust cargo are defined within the official documentation of the mission.
Urged Learn 📖
7. CliFM
CliFM is a straightforward terminal file supervisor, that works a bit in a different way from the opposite instruments. As an alternative of a Terminal Person Interface (TUI), CliFM, as within the title, follows a CLI design precept.
Key options of CliFM:
Can run on the kernel built-in console, SSH, or some other distant session.Broad terminal help (even 8 colours and no Unicode help terminals).Prolonged coloration codes for file-types and -extensions.Helps operations like bookmarks, tags, filters, and so forth.As much as 8 workspaces.File permissions/possession editor through the computer and oc instructions respectively.Autosuggestions, syntax highlighting, TAB completion, and so forth. can be found.A Stealth mode, also called incognito or personal mode.
Set up CliFM
Arch Linux customers can set up CliFM from AUR.
There are binary packages for main Linux distributions like Arch, Debian, Ubuntu, and so forth. You can too obtain the binary from the openSUSE construct system.
8. nnn
n3 or nnn is a full-featured terminal file supervisor, that’s practically 0-config. Whereas this minimalism doesn’t have an effect on the capabilities of this utility.
Key options of nnn:
POSIX-compliant, follows Linux kernel coding styleTypically wants lower than 3.5Â MB resident memoryMinimal library deps, simple to compileTouch enabled, handheld-friendly shortcutsBasic help for display screen readers and braille displaysRun plugins and customized instructions with hotkeysLaunch apps, run instructions, spawn a shell, and so forth
Set up nnn
nnn is on the market within the repos of most distribution. In Ubuntu, run the next command to put in it:
sudo apt set up nnn
You can too get statically linked binary from the releases web page of the mission.
9. lfm
lfm or Final File Supervisor is a UNIX console file supervisor written in Python. It provides a two-pane interface by default with a neat darkish coloration scheme.
Key options of lfm:
Assist tabs, file filters, bookmarks, historical past, etcVFS for compressed filesDirect integration of discover/grep, df and different toolsColor information by extensionFully customizable themes (colours) and key bindingsSupport for filenames with broad chars
Set up lfm
lfm is on the market within the default repositories of most main Linux distributions. Ubuntu customers can set up it utilizing the command:
sudo apt set up lfm
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Make sure the model of lfm is 3 or increased within the repository. You additionally want Python 3.4+ to run this.
10. lf
lf is a straightforward file supervisor, closely impressed from Ranger file supervisor. Its specialty is being a simple and minimal utility.
Key options of lf:
Cross-platformSingle binary with none runtime dependenciesFast startup and low reminiscence footprintAsynchronous IO operations to keep away from UI lockingServer/shopper structure and distant instructions to handle a number of instancesExtendable and configurable with shell commandsCustomizable keybindings
Set up lf
lf is on the market within the default repositories of main Linux distribution. For Ubuntu and Debian-based, set up it utilizing:
sudo apt set up lf
There are prebuilt binaries obtainable within the mission releases web page for all distributions.
11. Ytree
Ytree is a classic-looking file supervisor for looking filesystem and archives.
Key options of Ytree:
Helps exterior packages to view/edit filesAn inside hex viewer and editor are availableConfigurable and helps completely different architectures
Set up Ytree
On Ubuntu, you possibly can set up it from the official repository.
sudo apt set up ytree
Arch Linux customers can discover it in AUR.
Urged Learn 📖
Wrapping Up
Terminal-based file managers show you how to effectively work with information with out worrying concerning the efficiency, no matter what utility you select from the record.
If you’d like easy operations, and simply discover the filesystem, you possibly can go together with any of the alternatives. However, in case you are in search of a performance-focused, easy-to-use, and feature-rich program, I recommend superfile and yazi. Simply two of my private picks.
It’s best to give all of them a strive if one would not work ok in your use-case.
💬 What’s your favourite on the record? Something I missed right here? Do share your ideas within the feedback beneath.