Vifm is a terminal file manager that provides a Vim-like environment for managing files and directories. Its keyboard controls, commands, and interaction model are designed to be familiar to users of Vi and Vim.
The application offers both single-pane and dual-pane layouts, allowing users to navigate directories and manage files without switching to a graphical file manager. Its command-line mode supports operations using syntax and conventions similar to those found in Vim.
Vifm is particularly suitable for keyboard-focused workflows. Users can combine familiar navigation commands with file selections, marks, registers, and custom mappings to perform complex operations efficiently.
The interface is highly configurable, with support for different directory representations, preview modes, colour schemes, and integrations with external tools.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Vim-like keyboard controls, user mappings, commands, marks, and registers.
- Single-pane and dual-pane file management with support for tabs.
- Multiple file display modes, including table, grid, tree, and Miller column views.
- Directory tree comparison for identifying differences between directory contents.
- Undo and redo support for file operations, including copying, moving, renaming, deleting, and changing permissions.
- Background execution of file operations.
- Advanced file selection, filtering, and bulk renaming.
- Customisable file viewers and a preview mode similar to less.
- Support for FUSE filesystems.
- Named bookmarks, directory history, and remembered navigation positions.
- Session management for restoring directory locations and interface state.
- Configurable colour schemes and file decorations based on names or file types.
- Integration with GNU Screen and tmux.
- Custom commands, command-line abbreviations, and range-based operations.
- Remote command execution and communication between running instances.
- Trash support and configurable file handling.
- Multi-block file selection for more flexible file operations.
- UTF-8 support.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, and Solaris.
Website: vifm.info
Support:
Developer: Ken Steen
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Vifm is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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