The Command Line File Manager
No GUI, no TUI, AND no menus. Just you and a powerful, file-management oriented command line.
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:space_invader: Brief description
Clifm is a shell-like, text-based terminal file manager that sits on the command line.
Though fully-featured, powerful, and extensible, it is not so much about features, but about design, about the way in which you interact with your file system.
Most terminal file managers out there (if not all) are built using the TUI design principles, much like the superb Midnight Commander and Ranger. But clifm is built rather having the CLI design principles in mind: do not navigate through a big menu of files, just type it, exactly as you do in your regular shell, but easier and faster!
For this reason, clifm does not need to be better: it's just different! :wink:
For a detailed description consult the introductory section of our Wiki.
:heavy_check_mark: Features
Click here to expand
Besides common file operations such as copy, move, remove, etc., _clifm_ provides the following features: - Specific - [Really CLI-based](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#main-design-and-goals). No GUI nor TUI at all, but just a command-line - It can run on the kernel built-in console and even on a SSH or any other remote session - Highly compatible with old VT102-only terminal emulators like Rxvt and Rxvt-based ones: even on a terminal with only 8 colors and no Unicode support, **clifm** will just work. [It can run even on an old DEC-VT100 terminal!](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Extra#clifm-running-on-a-dec-vt100-terminal-1978) - [High performance](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Performance). Incredibly lightweight and fast even on really old hardware - [Short (and even one-character) commands](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#commands-short-summary) - [Entry list numbers (ELN's)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#elns) for file names - [Extended color codes](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Customization#colors) for file-types and -extensions - [Files counter](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#interface) for directories and symlinks to directories - Support for files attributes, extended attributes, birth time, BSD flags, and Solaris doors. - Privacy: Zero data collection and no connection to the outside world at all - Security: [Secure environment](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#security) and [secure commands](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#security). See also the [stealth mode section](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#stealth-mode) - Navigation and file operations - [Bookmarks](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#bookmarks) - [File tags](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#tagging-files) - [File filters](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#files-filters) (including support for [`.hidden` files](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#1b-hidden-files)) - [Files selection](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#selection) (supports both glob and regular expressions and works even across multiple instances of the program) - [Files search](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#searching) (supports both glob and regular expressions) - [copy(-as), move(-as)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#c-l-e-edit-m-md-r), [interactive rename](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#c-l-e-edit-m-md-r), and [open-with](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#ow) functions - [File names cleaner](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#bb-bleach) - [Autocommands](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#autocommands) - [Auto-cd](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#acd-autocd), [auto-open](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#ao-auto-open), and [autols](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#navigation) - [Directory jumper](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#kangaroos-frecency-algorithm), similar to [autojump](https://github.com/wting/autojump), [z.lua](https://github.com/skywind3000/z.lua), and [zoxide](https://github.com/ajeetdsouza/zoxide) - [Virtual directories](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#virtual-directories) - [Fastback - Quickly change to any parent directory](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#fastback) - [A built-in resource opener](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#resource-opener) (supports regular expressions and is able to discern between GUI and non-GUI environments) - [A built-in Freedesktop-compliant trash system](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#trashing-files) - [Up to eight workspaces](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#workspaces) - [More than a dozen sorting methods](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#st-sort) - [Bulk operations](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#bulk-operations): rename, create, remove, and create symbolik links in bulk - [Files encryption/decryption (plugin)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#plugins) - [Copy files to your smart phone (plugin)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#plugins) - [Archiving and compression](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#archives) support (including Zstandard and ISO 9660) - [Symlinks editor](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#l-le) - File permissions/ownership editor via the [`pc`](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#pc) and [`oc`](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#oc) commands respectively - [Remote file systems management](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#net) - [Mount/unmount storage devices](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#media) - [Advanced Copy](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#cpmv-with-a-progress-bar) support (just `cp` and `mv` with a nice progress bar) - Directory history map to keep in sight previous, current, and next entries in the directory history list - Shell - [Auto-suggestions](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#auto-suggestions) - [TAB completion](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#expansions-completions-and-suggestions), with _fzf_ integration (including [file previews](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#files-preview)) - [Syntax highlighting](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#syntax-highlighting) - [Warning prompt for invalid command names](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Customization#the-warning-prompt) - [Fused parameters for ELN's](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#fused-parameters) - [Fuzzy completion for file names and paths](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#fuzzy-match) - [Wildcards expansion via TAB](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#filter-files-with-the-tab-key) (`s *.[ch]
Auto-suggestions in action
:clapper: Introduction video
:floppy_disk: Installation
From a package manager
Packaging status 
If running on Linux, binary packages are available for most major distributions via the OpenSUSE Build System.
From source (Linux/BSD)
Note: Dependencies are most likely already satisfied, but in any case consult the dependencies section.
git clone https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm.git
cd clifm
sudo make installFor more information/supported platforms consult the installation page.
:bulb: Getting started
To start using clifm you don't need to learn anything new: the usual shell commands will just work. However, there is much more than just shell commands... \
✓ The help command gives you a quick introduction to clifm: once in the clifm prompt, enter help or ?. \
✓ Type cmd<TAB> to get the list of available commands and a brief description. \
✓ Type help <TAB> to get the list of available help topics. Select the one you want and press Enter. \
✓ To jump into the COMMANDS section in the manpage, simply enter cmd or press F2. \
✓ Press F1 to access the full manpage and F3 to access the keybindings help-page. \
✓ To get help about some specific command just type CMD -h. For instance, s -h.
You can also take a look at some of both our FAQ and these basic usage-examples to get you started. \ For a complete description please consult our Wiki.
:newspaper: What's new?
Click here to expand
* `1.18 (Caniche endormi)` - [Support for `.hidden` files, including wildcards](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced#1b-hidden-files). - Several improvements to the long view - [Set time style via either `--time-style`, `TimeStyle` (config file), or **TIME_STYLE** (environment variable)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#time-styles). - Dereference symbolic links via `-L,--follow-symlinks-long`. - Toggle `follow-symlinks-long` via the [`k` command](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#k) and the Alt-+ keybinding (edit your keybindings file -via `kb edit`- and add this line to enable this new keybinding: `toggle-follow-links-long:\M-+`). - [Disable the group ID field](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [File allocated blocks support](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [Hard links number support](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [Birth time support](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [User/group ID **names** (instead of just numbers)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [Customize displayed fields via `--prop-fields`](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [Allow double spacing for fields](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode). - [Set time style used by the `p/pp` command via either `--ptime-style`, `PTimeStyle` (config file), or **PTIME_STYLE** (environment variable)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#p-prop). - Since **1)** it was unintuitive to have `-a` and `-l` options to **disable** hidden files and long view respectively (instead of enabling these features, like most files listers do (ex: `ls`, `exa`, `eza`, `lsd`)), and **2)** we were using uppercase options sometimes to enable and sometimes to disable features (which is not consistent), we made the following changes: - `-a` enables hidden files and `-A` disables it - `-f` enables dirs-first and `-F` disables it - `-l` enables long-view and - `-L` follow symbolic links in long view (short for `--follow-symlinks-long`) - `-o` enables autocd and `-O` disables it * `1.17 (Lechuck)` - [Allow properties fields order customization in long view](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#file-details). - [Autocommand files](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#autocommand-files-cfmin-and-cfmout) won't be read unless `ReadAutocmdFiles` is set to `true` in the main configuration file. * `1.16 (Big Whoop)` - [**LS_COLORS** support](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Customization#ls_colors-support). * `1.15 (Jolly Rogger)` - Image previews using sixel (requires `fzf` 0.44 or later). - List ACLs (`p`/`pp` command) (Linux). - Run in [read-only mode](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#read-only-mode). * `1.14 (Jawbreaker)` - [Run as a **stat**(1) replacement via `--stat` and `--stat-full` options](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced/#stat1-replacement). - Exclude commands from the commands history via `HistIgnore` in the config file. - Exclude directories from the directories history (and the jump database) via `DirhistIgnore` in the config file. - Maximum limit of listed files increased from **INT_MAX** to **SSIZE_MAX**. - Nested instances are now allowed (setting both **SHLVL** and **CLIFMLVL** as appropriate). - Files extended attributes on non-glibc Linux distributions. - Files birth time support on Haiku. - **random**(3) replaced by **arc4random**(3), if available, for increased security. - More restrictive values when running in [secure mode](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Specifics#a-secure-environment). * `1.13 (Voodoo Root)` - Support for BSD file flags (`p`/`pp` command). - Nano-second precision for timestamps (`p`/`pp` command). - Ported to Solaris (including doors support). If you experience some issue with the warning prompt, please consult the [troubleshooting section](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Troubleshooting#warning-prompt). - Since `fzy` has been [inactive for more than a year](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy), we have forked it as [fnf](https://github.com/leo-arch/fnf) (including some features needed to make it work with **clifm**). Because of this, `--fzytab` has been renamed to `--fnftab`, just as the `TabCompletionMode` option in the config file now takes `fnf` instead of `fzy` as value. - [File names validation via the `new` command](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#n-new). - If using the [new ueberzug](https://github.com/ueber-devel/ueberzug) (18.2.0), please update your [`clifmrun` file](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/blob/master/misc/tools/imgprev/clifmrun) to get image previews working again. - [Run external commands using any shell you like via the **CLIFM_SHELL** environment variable](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/FAQ#large_blue_diamond-how-do-i-run-with-a-different-shell.). * `1.12 (Blondebeard)` - [Improved logs system](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#log). - Better TAB completion for internal commands. - Allow the use of [Xterm-like color names in color schemes](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Customization#xterm-like-color-names-256-colors). - Disable bold colors via `--no-bold`. - Colorize symlinks according to the target file via `ColorLinksAsTarget` in the config file. - File names trimming can now be disabled permanently via the `TrimNames` option in the config file and `--no-trim-names`. - Improved interface fot the [`tag` command](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#tag). - Improved synchronization between multiple instances. * `version 1.11 (Cobb)` - Files apparent size is used now by default. Revert via `--no-apparent-size` or setting `ApparentSize` to `false` in the config file. - [**Clifm** will try to run in 256 colors mode if support is detected](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Customization#color-support). Just comment out the `ColorScheme` option in the config file (or set it either to an empty value or to `default-256`) to enable this feature. - [Mark files with extended attributes (long view)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#longdetail-view-mode) - [Customizable timestamps, including relative times (long view)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#time-styles) - [Color gradients for file sizes and timestamps (long view)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#file-details) - [Use `config dump` to print the list of settings and their current value (highlighting those differing from default values)](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#config) - The [`config` command](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#config) is now used to open/edit the main configuration file (`edit` can still be used, but is deprecated and might be removed in a future release) - `FzfPreview` (file previews in TAB completion - fzf mode only) is now enabled by default (disable via `--no-fzfpreview`) - Improved jump table screen (via the [`j` command](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#j-jc-jl-jp-jo-je)) - [Purge the jump database via the `--purge` option](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#j-jc-jl-jp-jo-je) * `version 1.10 (Swordmaster)`: - [Quickly access the directory history list via the `dh` command](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#dh). The `dh` plugin, just as the `bh` and `fh` commands, is now deprecated. - [History timestamps](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#history) - `s:` works now like `sel` keyword, to be in line with `t:` (for tags) and `b:` (for bookmarks). Consult the [Files selection](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#selection) section. - The `:b` construct was removed. `b:` now lists bookmark names instead of paths. `b:mybm` expands to the path pointed to by the bookmark named `mybm`. The `ExpandBookmarks` option (config file) is now deprecated, just as the bookmarks suggestions strategy (in the `SuggestionStrategy` option). See the [Bookmarks](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Common-Operations#bookmarks) section. - Bookmarks can be created directly from the command line, without an interactive prompt: `bm add FILE BM_NAME`. - [Rename profiles via the `rename` subcommand](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#pf-profile) - [`oc`, a files ownership editor](https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Introduction#oc) - Get list of commands and a brief description via `cmdFor more details consult the changelog file.
Support
Clifm runs on Linux, Termux (Android), FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, DragonFly, MacOS, Solaris/Illumos, Haiku, and Cygwin/MinGW, on x86, ARM, PowerPC, and RISC-V architectures.
License
This project is licensed GPL version 2 (or later). See the LICENSE file for details.
Contributing
Contributions are kindly welcome! Please see our contribution guidelines for details.
Community
Visit the Discussions section of this repo and let us know what you think: ideas, comments, observations and questions are always useful.
Developer
Leo Abramovich <leo.clifm@outlook.com>.
Special thanks to all those who have contributed to this project.