apvlv is a graphical document viewer whose interaction model is deliberately inspired by the Vim text editor. It is aimed at readers who prefer keyboard-driven software and want document navigation to feel closer to working in a modal editor than using a conventional toolbar-heavy viewer.
The application is compact and intentionally specialised. Rather than providing a large library manager, it concentrates on opening documents, moving through them efficiently and keeping several items available during a reading session.
This makes apvlv particularly appealing for technical reading, where users may move frequently between manuals, papers and eBooks stored in ordinary filesystem directories. People already comfortable with Vim will find the basic interaction model immediately familiar.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Reads PDF, EPUB, TXT, FB2, MOBI, CBZ and HTML documents in a graphical Linux interface.
- Uses Vim-like keyboard commands for page movement, scrolling and navigation.
- Supports familiar controls such as Ctrl-f and Ctrl-b for forward and backward movement, together with h, j, k and l for directional scrolling.
- Accepts numeric prefixes so movement commands can be repeated a specified number of times.
- Treats a directory as browsable document content, allowing files and folders to be navigated from inside the viewer.
- Uses h and l to collapse or expand directory entries and can open a selected document in a new tab.
- Provides tabbed document handling for keeping several books or documents available in one session.
- Can use different document backends depending on the file type and available libraries.
- Retains a compact interface so keyboard interaction remains the primary way of controlling the application.
- Combines eBook reading and PDF viewing without requiring separate applications for the supported formats.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux and Windows.
Website: github.com/naihe2010/apvlv
Support:
Developer: Alf
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
apvlv is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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