nnn - type less, do more, way faster

Latest release Availability Travis Status CircleCI Status License

navigate-as-you-type & du analyzer mode (click for a demo video)

Donate via PayPal!

## Index - [Introduction](#introduction) - [Features](#features) - [Quickstart](#quickstart) - [Installation](#installation) - [Library dependencies](#library-dependencies) - [Utility dependencies](#utility-dependencies) - [From a package manager](#from-a-package-manager) - [Release packages](#release-packages) - [From source](#from-source) - [Shell completion](#shell-completion) - [Usage](#usage) - [Configuration](#configuration) - [Cmdline options](#cmdline-options) - [Keyboard and mouse](#keyboard-and-mouse) - [Leader key](#leader-key) - [Help](#help) - [Mentions](#mentions) - [Developers](#developers) ## Introduction `nnn` is a full-featured terminal file manager. It's tiny, extremely light and fast (**[performance](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Performance)**). `nnn` is also a disk usage analyzer, a fuzzy app launcher, a batch file renamer and a file picker. 30+ **[plugins](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/plugins)** extend the capabilities further. There's an independent [(neo)vim plugin](https://github.com/mcchrish/nnn.vim). Custom plugins are easy to add. It runs smoothly on the Raspberry Pi, Termux on Android ([demo video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbaauM7gUJw)), Linux, macOS, BSD, Cygwin and Linux subsystem for Windows. `nnn` works seamlessly with DEs and GUI utilities. It's nearly zero-config (with sensible defaults) and can be setup in less than 5 minutes. Visit the **[Wiki](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki)** for operational concepts, how tos, use cases, chronology and insights. ## Features - Modes - Light (default), detail - Disk usage analyzer (block/apparent) - File picker, (neo)vim plugin - Navigation - *Navigate-as-you-type* with dir auto-select - 4 contexts (_aka_ tabs/workspaces) - Bookmarks; pin and visit a directory - Familiar, easy shortcuts (arrows, ~, -, @) - Change directory at exit (*easy* shell integration) - Sorting - Ordered pure numeric names by default (visit _/proc_) - Case-insensitive version (_aka_ natural) sort - By file name, modification/access time, size, extension - Search - Instant filtering with *search-as-you-type* - Regex and substring match - Subtree search to open or edit files (using plugin) - Mimes - Open with desktop opener or specify a custom app - Create, list, extract archives - Option to open all text files in EDITOR - Information - Detailed file information - Media information (using plugin) - Convenience - Minimal configuration - Plugin keybinds - Select files across dirs; all/range selection - Copy, move, delete, archive, link selection - Batch rename selection or dir entries - FreeDesktop compliant trash (needs trash-cli) - SSHFS mounts (needs sshfs) - Create, rename, duplicate files and directories - Per-context directory color (default: blue) - Spawn a shell, run apps, run commands, execute file - Lock terminal (needs a locker) - Shortcut reference a keypress away - Unicode support - Follows Linux kernel coding style - Highly optimized, static analysis integrated code - Minimal library dependencies - Widely available ## Quickstart While we strongly advise reading this page and the wiki, if you can't wait to start using `nnn`: 1. Install the [utilities you may need](https://github.com/jarun/nnn#utility-dependencies) based on your regular workflows. 2. Configure [cd on quit](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Basic-use-cases#configure-cd-on-quit). 3. Optionally open all text files in `$EDITOR` (fallback vi): `export NNN_USE_EDITOR=1` 4. For additional functionality [install plugins](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/plugins#installing-plugins) and the GUI app launcher [`nlaunch`](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/misc/nlaunch). - Don't memorize keys. Arrows, / and q suffice. Press ? for help on keyboard shortcuts anytime. - To set `nnn` as the default file manager, follow these [instructions](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Advanced-use-cases#configure-as-default-fm). ## Installation #### Library dependencies `nnn` needs a curses library with wide character support (like ncursesw), libreadline and standard libc. It's possible to drop libreadline using the Makefile target `norl`. #### Utility dependencies | Dependency | Installation | Operation | | --- | --- | --- | | xdg-open (Linux), open(1) (macOS), cygstart (Cygwin) | base | desktop opener | | file, coreutils (cp, mv, rm), findutils (xargs) | base | file type, copy, move and remove | | tar, (un)zip [atool/bsdtar for more formats] | base | create, list, extract tar, gzip, bzip2, zip | | sshfs, fusermount(3) | if needed | mount, unmount over SSHFS | | trash-cli | optional | trash files (default action: delete) | | vlock (Linux), bashlock (macOS), lock(1) (BSD) | optional | terminal locker (fallback: [cmatrix](https://github.com/abishekvashok/cmatrix)) | | advcpmv (Linux) ([integration](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Advanced-use-cases#show-cp-mv-progress)) | optional | copy, move progress | | `$VISUAL` (else `$EDITOR`), `$PAGER`, `$SHELL` | optional | fallback vi, less, sh | #### From a package manager You can install `nnn` from the package manager of your OS. If the version available is dated please try an alternative installation method.
Packaging status from Repology


Packaging status

Unlisted distros:


● CentOS (yum --enablerepo=epel install nnn)
Milis Linux (mps kur nnn)
NuTyX (cards install nnn)
Source Mage (cast nnn)

#### Release packages Packages for Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora and Ubuntu are available with the [latest stable release](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/releases/latest). #### From source To cook yourself, download the [latest stable release](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/releases/latest) or clone this repository (*risky*). Then install the dependencies and compile (e.g. on Ubuntu 16.04): $ sudo apt-get install pkg-config libncursesw5-dev libreadline6-dev $ make $ sudo make strip install `PREFIX` is supported, in case you want to install to a different location. - Compilation notes on [Raspberry Pi](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Developer-guides#compile-for-pi) - Instructions for [Cygwin](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Developer-guides#compile-on-cygwin) #### Shell completion Option completion scripts for Bash, Fish and Zsh can be found in respective subdirectories of [`misc/auto-completion/`](misc/auto-completion). Please refer to your shell's manual for installation instructions. ## Usage #### Configuration `nnn` supports the following environment variables for configuration. All of them are optional (set if you need). There is no config file. Associated files are stored under `${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/nnn/`. | Example `export` | Description | | --- | --- | | `NNN_BMS='d:~/Documents;D:~/Docs archive/'` | key-bookmark pairs [max 10] | | `NNN_PLUG='o:fzy-open;p:mocplay;m:nmount;t:thumb'` | key-plugin pairs (x-key to run) [max 10] | | `NNN_USE_EDITOR=1` | open text files in `$VISUAL` (else `$EDITOR`, fallback vi) | | `NNN_CONTEXT_COLORS='1234'` | specify per context color [default: '4444' (all blue)] | | `NNN_SSHFS_OPTS='sshfs -o reconnect,idmap=user'` | specify SSHFS options | | `NNN_OPENER=mimeopen` | custom file opener | | `NNN_IDLE_TIMEOUT=300` | idle seconds to lock terminal [default: disabled] | | `NNN_COPIER=copier` | clipboard copier script [default: none] | | `NNN_TRASH=1` | trash files to the desktop Trash [default: delete] | #### Cmdline options ``` usage: nnn [-a] [-b key] [-d] [-f] [-H] [-i] [-n] [-o] [-p file] [-r] [-s] [-S] [-t] [-v] [-h] [PATH] The missing terminal file manager for X. positional args: PATH start dir [default: current dir] optional args: -a use access time -b key open bookmark key -d detail mode -f run filter as cmd on prompt key -H show hidden files -i nav-as-you-type mode -n version sort -o press Enter to open files -p file selection file (stdout if '-') -r show cp, mv progress on Linux -s string filters [default: regex] -S du mode -t disable dir auto-select -v show version -h show help ``` #### Keyboard and mouse Press ? in `nnn` to see the list anytime. ``` NAVIGATION ↑ k Up PgUp ^U Scroll up ↓ j Down PgDn ^D Scroll down ← h Parent dir ~ ` @ - HOME, /, start, last ↵ → l Open file/dir . Toggle show hidden g ^A First entry G ^E Last entry b Pin current dir ^B Go to pinned dir Tab ^I Next context d Toggle detail view , ^/ Lead key N LeadN Context N / Filter/Lead Ins ^T Toggle nav-as-you-type Esc Exit prompt ^L F5 Redraw/clear prompt q Quit context Lead' First file Q ^Q Quit ^G QuitCD ? Help, config FILES ^O Open with... n Create new/link D File detail ^R F2 Rename/duplicate ⎵ ^K / Y Select entry/all r Batch rename K ^Y Toggle selection y List selection P Copy selection X Delete selection V Move selection ^X Delete entry f Create archive C Execute entry ^F Extract archive F List archive e Edit in EDITOR p Open in PAGER ORDER TOGGLES S du A Apparent du s Size E Extn t Time modified MISC ! ^] Shell = Launcher R ^V Pick plugin :K xK Run plugin key K c SSHFS mount u Unmount ^P Prompt/run expr L Lock ``` Note: Help & settings, file details and archive listing are shown in the PAGER. Use the PAGER-specific keys in these screens. | Mouse click | Function | |---| --- | | Left single on context number | Visit context | | Left single on top row after context numbers | Visit parent | | Left single/double on last 2 rows | Toggle nav-as-you-type | | Left single | Select context or entry | | Left double | Select context or open entry | ##### Leader key The Leader/Lead key provides a powerful multi-functional navigation mechanism. It is case-sensitive and understands contexts, bookmarks and location shortcuts. | Key | Function | |:---:| --- | | 1-4 | Go to/create selected context | | ] | Go to next active context | | [ | Go to previous active context | | key | Go to bookmarked location | | ' | Go to first file in directory | | ~ ` @ - | Go to HOME, `/`, start, last visited dir | | . | Toggle show hidden files | | q | Quit context | When the filter is on, / works as an additional Leader key. #### Help $ nnn -h $ man nnn To lookup keyboard shortcuts at runtime, press ?. ## Mentions - [FOSSMint](https://www.fossmint.com/nnn-linux-terminal-file-browser/) - [Hacker News 1](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18520898) - [Hacker News 2](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19850656) - [It's FOSS](https://itsfoss.com/nnn-file-browser-linux/) - [LinuxLinks1](https://www.linuxlinks.com/nnn-fast-and-flexible-file-manager/) - [LinuxLinks2](https://www.linuxlinks.com/bestconsolefilemanagers/) - [Suckless Rocks](https://suckless.org/rocks/) - [Ubuntu Full Circle Magazine - Issue 135](https://fullcirclemagazine.org/issue-135/) ## Developers 1. Copyright © 2014-2016 Lazaros Koromilas 2. Copyright © 2014-2016 Dimitris Papastamos 3. Copyright © 2016-2019 [Arun Prakash Jana](https://github.com/jarun) Contributions are welcome. Please visit the [ToDo list](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/329).