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In our last article, we have put together a list of 13 best file managers for Linux systems, most of which where graphical user interface (GUI) based. But if you have a Linux distribution that only uses the command line interface (CLI), then you need a text based file manager. In this article, we bring you one such file manager called Vifm.
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Vifm is a powerful CLI and ncurses based cross-platform file manager for Unix-like, Cygwin and Window systems. It is feature-rich and comes with Vi like key bindings. It also uses a number of useful features from Mutt.
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There is no need to learn a new set of usage commands, it provides you with absolute keyboard control over your files using generic Vi options/commands.
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Useful Vifm Features:
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- Provides a facility to edit several kinds of files.
- Comes with two panes by default.
- Supports Vi modes, options, registers, commands and so much more.
- Supports auto-completion of commands.
- Support for trash directory.
- Offers various views (such as custom, column, compare and ls-like).
- Supports remote execution of commands.
- Also supports remote changing of directories.
- Supports various color schemes.
- Built-in support of automated FUSE file system mounts.
- Supports use of functions.
- Supports plugin for using vifm in vim as a file selector and so much more.
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Suggested Read: Cloud Commander – Web File Manager to Control Linux File/Programs via Browser
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How to Install Vifm Command-line File Manager in Linux
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Vifm is available in the official software repositories of Debian/Ubuntu and Fedora Linux distributions. To install it, use the respective package manager to install it like this.
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$ sudo apt install vifm [On Debian/Ubuntu]rn$ dnf install vifm [On Fedora 22+]rn
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Once installed, you can start it by typing.
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$ vifmrn
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Supports Two Panes By Default
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Use the space bar to shift from one pane to the other. To enter a directory, simply hit the [Enter] button.
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Open A File in Vi/m Editor
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To open a file such as the findhost.sh script in the right pane above, just highlight the file and press [Enter]:
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Colored Visual Highlighter
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To enable the visual highlighter, press V and scroll to see how it works.
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Main Pane Manipulation Options
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To view pane manipulation options/keybindings, press Ctrl-W.
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To split the window horizontally press Ctrl-W then s.
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To split the window vertically press Ctrl-W then v.
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Use Tab To Auto-Complete Commands
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First type a few letters in the command name (possibly two), then press Tab. To select the next option, press Tab again then hit [Enter].
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Highlight Files in One Pane and View It On Another
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You can list files in one pane and view content in another as you scroll over files, simply run the view command like this.
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:viewrn
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Delete A File in Vifm
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You can delete a highlighted file by pressing dd. To delete it, press Y or N otherwise.
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Vifm Command Line Trash
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If you delete a file in Vifm, it is stored in the trash. To view the trash directory, type this command.
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:trashesrn
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To view files in trash, run the lstrash command (press q to return).
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:lstrashrn
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To restore files from the trash directory, first move into it by using the cd command like this.
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:cd /home/aaronkilik/.local/share/vifm/Trashrn
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Then select the file to restore, and type:
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:restorern
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For a comprehensive usage information and options, commands, tips check out the Vifm man page:
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$ man vifmrn
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Vifm Homepage: https://vifm.info/
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Do check out following articles.
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- GNOME Commander: A ‘Two pane’ Graphical File Browser and Manager for Linux
- Peazip – A Portable File Manager and Archive Tool for Linux
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In this article, we covered installation and basic features of Vifm a powerful CLI based file manager for Linux systems. Use the feedback form below to share your thoughts about it.
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