# ranger/ranger

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16,880 stars · 927 forks · Python · gpl-3.0

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/ranger/ranger
- Homepage: https://ranger.fm
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/ranger-ranger.md

## Topics

`console` `file-launcher` `file-manager` `file-preview` `vim`

## Description

Ranger is a keyboard-centric console file manager that provides a multi-column, text-based interface for navigating and organizing local file systems. It functions as a productivity tool designed to streamline command-line workflows by allowing users to perform standard file operations, such as copying, moving, and deleting, directly within a terminal environment.

The project distinguishes itself through its extensible architecture and deep integration with the host shell. It supports custom plugin development and maintains context between sessions by syncing the working directory upon exit. Users can manage complex data structures using file tagging, custom filters, and automated batch renaming, while the interface provides visual inspection of file contents through integrated previews.

The application handles file interactions by mapping MIME types to external programs, enabling the automatic execution of files based on user-defined associations. It manages these tasks through an asynchronous process model that ensures the interface remains responsive during background operations, such as rendering image thumbnails or generating content previews.

## Tags

### Business & Productivity Software

- [Terminal File Managers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/terminal-file-managers.md) — Provides a keyboard-centric, multi-column terminal interface for efficient navigation and file system operations.
- [File Browsers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/file-browsers.md) — Functions as a console-based file browser supporting batch renaming, tagging, and custom application associations.
- [File Association Handlers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/terminal-file-managers/file-association-handlers.md) — Automatically launches files in appropriate external applications based on detected MIME types. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/ranger/ranger@master/README.md))
- [File Tagging Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/file-tagging-systems.md) — Enables tagging files and directories with custom labels for improved organization and batch processing. ([source](https://github.com/ranger/ranger/wiki/FAQ%3A-Frequently-Asked-Questions))

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [File System Navigators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/file-system-navigators.md) — Facilitates efficient navigation of complex directory structures using a multi-column interface with tabs and bookmarks. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/ranger/ranger@master/README.md))
- [Bulk File Renamers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/developer-utilities-libraries/workflow-productivity-enhancers/developer-productivity-utilities/file-management-utilities/bulk-file-renamers.md) — Provides automated batch renaming of files using pattern matching to maintain consistent naming conventions.
- [Terminal Productivity Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/terminal-productivity-tools.md) — Acts as a keyboard-centric productivity utility that maintains shell directory context and supports extensible configuration.
- [Shell Integration](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/terminal-shell-cli/terminal-cli-enhancements/shell-terminal-utilities/automation-integration-tools/shell-integration.md) — Syncs the working directory with the parent shell upon exit to maintain context between sessions.
- [Directory Persistence Utilities](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/terminal-shell-cli/terminal-cli-enhancements/shell-terminal-utilities/automation-integration-tools/shell-integration/directory-persistence-utilities.md) — Updates the parent shell's working directory upon exit to ensure continuity between command-line tasks. ([source](https://ranger.fm/documentation.html))
- [Automatic File Tracking](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/automatic-file-tracking.md) — Automates file execution by detecting types and invoking user-defined handlers. ([source](https://ranger.fm/documentation.html))
- [Shell Workflow Optimizers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/shell-workflow-optimizers.md) — Streamlines terminal workflows by syncing directory context and launching external applications directly from the file browser.
- [File Navigation Utilities](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/file-navigation-utilities.md) — Filters file lists based on custom criteria to simplify navigation within large directory structures. ([source](https://ranger.fm))

### User Interface & Experience

- [Terminal User Interfaces](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/terminal-user-interfaces.md) — Provides a keyboard-centric, multi-column terminal user interface for efficient file system navigation.
- [File Previewers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/file-previewers.md) — Provides integrated previews for text, images, and video content directly within the file manager. ([source](https://ranger.fm/documentation.html))
- [Asynchronous Content Rendering](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/asynchronous-content-rendering.md) — Displays file content thumbnails in the background to maintain interface responsiveness during navigation.

### Data & Databases

- [File System Access](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/file-system-access.md) — Provides comprehensive tools for creating, copying, deleting, and managing file system permissions. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/ranger/ranger@master/README.md))

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [File System Operations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/system-administration-maintenance/file-system-management/file-system-operations.md) — Performs standard file system operations like copying, moving, and deleting through a text-based interface. ([source](https://ranger.fm/documentation.html))
- [File Organization Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/system-administration-maintenance/file-system-management/file-organization-tools.md) — Enables organization of complex directory structures through tagging, filtering, and custom file management tools.
- [File Previewers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/system-administration-maintenance/file-system-management/file-systems/file-previewers.md) — Renders visual previews of text, images, and media content directly within the terminal interface.

### Part of an Awesome List

- [File Managers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/data/file-managers.md) — TUI file manager with Vim-like keybindings.
- [Command Line Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/command-line-tools.md) — Listed in the “Command Line Tools” section of the The Book Of Secret Knowledge awesome list.
- [Console Applications](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/console-applications.md) — Vim-inspired file manager for the console.
- [File Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/file-management.md) — A console file manager with VI key bindings.
- [File Management and Navigation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/file-management-and-navigation.md) — VIM-inspired file manager for the console.
- [File Managers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/file-managers.md) — VIM-inspired console file manager.
- [Terminal Utilities](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/terminal-utilities.md) — VIM-inspired file manager for the console.
- [Applications](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/productivity/applications.md) — Console file manager with VI key bindings.
- [Desktop Productivity Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/productivity/desktop-productivity-tools.md) — Terminal-based file manager inspired by vim.
- [File Managers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/productivity/file-managers.md) — Vim-inspired console file manager.

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Extensible Plugin Architectures](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/extensible-plugin-architectures.md) — Supports custom plugin development to extend core file management logic and commands.

### Web Development

- [MIME Type Mappings](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/custom-content-negotiators/mime-type-mappings.md) — Maps MIME types to external programs for automatic file execution based on user-defined associations.