A fast, cross-platform terminal file manager written in Go, inspired by ranger.
LF is a terminal file manager written in Go that provides a keyboard-driven interface for navigating and managing files directly in the terminal. It is designed for efficiency and minimalism, leveraging shell tools for file operations rather than implementing them internally. The project follows the Unix philosophy, focusing on doing one thing well and delegating complex tasks like editing or paging to external tools.
System administrators, developers, and power users who work extensively in the terminal and prefer a fast, lightweight, and customizable file management solution without GUI dependencies. It is particularly suited for those familiar with command-line tools and seeking a ranger-inspired alternative.
Developers choose LF for its single binary with no runtime dependencies, ensuring easy installation and portability across platforms. Its asynchronous IO prevents UI locking during operations, and the server/client architecture allows managing multiple instances efficiently, offering a responsive and extensible experience.
Terminal file manager
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Runs on Linux, macOS, BSDs, and Windows with a single binary, ensuring consistent behavior across operating systems without dependencies.
Written in Go with static binaries, it offers quick startup and low memory usage, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments like remote servers.
Prevents UI locking during file operations by handling IO asynchronously, maintaining responsiveness even during heavy tasks like large file copies.
Highly customizable via shell commands and keybindings with vi/readline defaults, allowing deep integration into existing terminal workflows.
Lacks built-in commands for file operations, requiring reliance on shell tools which may not be available or preferred, adding complexity to basic tasks.
Does not include tabs or windows, forcing users to depend on terminal multiplexers or window managers for concurrent file management, which can fragment workflows.
Setting up advanced features like image previews or custom commands involves shell scripting and editing config files, which can be daunting and time-consuming.
lf is an open-source alternative to the following products: