gokcehan/lf
Lf
lf is a terminal-based file manager and TUI file explorer that provides keyboard-driven navigation for browsing and organizing files and directories. It operates as a shell-integrated tool that synchronizes the current working directory with the calling shell and supports vi-style keybindings for filesystem operations.
The project distinguishes itself through its ability to render images directly in the terminal via the SIXEL graphics protocol and its shell-driven execution model, which allows users to extend functionality using external shell scripts and commands. It also implements a server-client architecture using Unix domain sockets to synchronize state and dispatch commands across multiple running instances.
The software covers a broad range of capabilities including bulk file renaming, archive browsing, and fuzzy directory jumping. It provides extensive UI customization through template-based status bars, custom themes, and configurable key mappings. Additionally, it includes tools for full-text file search, pattern-based filtering, and real-time filesystem monitoring.
Features
- Terminal File Managers - Provides a complete terminal-based file manager with keyboard-driven navigation and filesystem organization.
- Directory Synchronizers - Synchronizes the shell's current working directory with the last location used in the file manager upon exit.
- Shell Integration - Operates as a shell-integrated file manager that synchronizes the working directory and executes custom automation scripts.
- Sixel-Based Image Previews - Distinguishes itself by rendering image previews directly in the terminal via the SIXEL graphics protocol.
- Vi-Style Keybindings - Uses vi-style keybindings for navigating the filesystem and performing file operations.
- Clipboard-Based File Operations - Implements comprehensive copy, cut, and paste operations for managing files across different directories.
- Bulk File Renamers - Supports renaming and deleting files, including powerful bulk renaming capabilities via text editors.
- Directory Navigators - Facilitates rapid directory navigation and folder browsing using keyboard shortcuts and a tree view.
- File Search Utilities - Provides a local file search capability to find files within the current directory using text patterns.
- Keybinding Configurations - Implements a comprehensive system for mapping keyboard input sequences to specific internal commands and file operations.
- Shell Command Execution - Relies on external shell scripts and commands to perform core file operations and extend functionality.
- Shell Environment Integrations - Returns visited directories or selected files to the calling shell to update the working environment.
- Shell Extensions - Integrates custom shell commands to add specialized behaviors and automate filesystem management tasks.
- Terminal Customization - Implements extensive customization of the terminal workspace through custom themes, keybindings, and status bar templates.
- Configurable Key-to-Command Mappings - Maps keys to actions using vi or readline defaults to streamline navigation and filesystem operations.
- Input Event Bindings - Binds keyboard combinations and mouse events to built-in commands or simulated key sequences.
- Shell Script Runners - Utilizes external shell scripts as the primary mechanism for extending functionality and performing complex file operations.
- Filesystem Management Utilities - Provides a command-line interface for navigating directories and performing standard filesystem manipulations.
- Terminal File Explorers - Implements a text-based user interface for exploring directories with metadata visualization and navigation.
- Terminal Image Renderers - Renders images directly in the terminal using the SIXEL graphics protocol for visual file previews.
- Keyboard Command Mapping - Implements a customizable mapping layer that translates keyboard inputs into internal application actions or shell commands.
- Search Filters - Locates specific files using search terms and filters the view to show matching items.
- Inline Image Renderers - Renders visual file previews directly in the terminal using the SIXEL graphics protocol.
- Cross-Instance Synchronization - Shares a clipboard of copied files between multiple open windows via a background server architecture.
- Terminal Application Themes - Supports custom visual profiles and themes loaded from separate settings files to personalize the interface.
- External Editor Integrations - Provides seamless integration to open files in preferred external editors and shells based on system environment variables.
- Full Text Search - Searches for text within files using external search tools and selects the result.
- Archive Extraction Utilities - Extracts files from compressed archives into destination folders using integrated external tools.
- CLI Workflow Integrations - Integrates shell commands and scripts to automate repetitive filesystem tasks and environment setups.
- Clipboard Copying - Allows users to quickly copy the current file path or directory name to the system clipboard.
- Dynamic Layout Managers - Automatically adjusts column widths and pane ratios based on the current terminal dimensions.
- Cross-Platform File Managers - Offers a consistent terminal interface for browsing and managing files across different operating systems.
- Directory Bookmarks - Creates and jumps to named directory bookmarks stored in a dedicated directory using search tools.
- Empty File Creation - Allows users to create new empty files with options to immediately select or open them in an editor.
- Event Automation Hooks - Automatically triggers logic and shell commands based on state changes like directory changes or window focus.
- Event-Driven Workflow Triggers - Executes specific shell commands automatically in response to filesystem events or window focus changes.
- Fuzzy Search Tools - Enables rapid navigation to directories using fuzzy matching and history-based jumping tools.
- Glob Pattern Resolvers - Supports selecting files using glob patterns, including recursive expansion via shell evaluation.
- Shell Argument Injection - Sends selected file or directory paths directly to a shell command line as arguments.
- Configuration File Loading - Processes structured text input and configuration files to handle application settings and variable interpolation.
- Remote Command Execution - Controls multiple running sessions via a server-client architecture to execute commands across instances.
- Cross-Instance Command Dispatching - Sends commands and queries to running instances via Unix domain sockets to synchronize state.
- Inter-Instance Communication - Dispatches text commands or broadcast messages to specific connected clients or all active sessions via sockets.
- Connection and Session Management - Maintains a server that tracks and regulates the lifecycle of active socket connections between instances.
- Asynchronous File Access - Performs heavy file transfers and operations in the background to ensure the user interface remains responsive.
- Sorting Utilities - Organizes files based on common metadata such as name, size, and modification time.
- Directory Creation Utilities - Creates new directories with support for nested paths and optional automatic selection.
- Recursive Copying - Implements recursive copying of folders and files while preserving original modes and timestamps.
- Archive Mounting - Mounts archive files as virtual directories to allow browsing of contents without performing a full extraction.
- Global Application Settings - Provides a centralized configuration system for global settings and keyboard shortcut bindings.
- Local Instance Synchronization - Uses a background server and Unix domain sockets to synchronize state and dispatch commands across multiple instances.
- Real-time Change Tracking - Monitors the filesystem in real-time to keep the terminal view synchronized with actual disk changes.
- External Application Integrations - Launches selected files using integrated GUI, TUI, or CLI applications with configurable synchronicity.
- Remote Management - Manages multiple running instances through a server-client architecture and remote command execution.
- Trash Managers - Integrates with the system trashcan to allow the recovery of previously deleted files to their original locations.
- File Previewers - Displays a preview of the selected file in a side pane using custom external scripts.
- Type-Based Bulk Selection - Provides the ability to bulk select all files or all directories within the current folder.
- Selection State Management - Provides tools to toggle, invert, or clear selections on individual files or groups within a directory.
- File Type Colorization - Applies visual styling to file types using environment variables based on established GNU and BSD standards.
- File Type Icon Mappers - Shows specific symbols or colors for files and directories based on their type or extension.
- Status Bars - Displays real-time metadata and system information using a customizable template system in the status bar.
- Metadata Interpolation Templates - Generates status bars and rulers by interpolating real-time metadata into user-defined text templates.
- Terminal Styling - Adjusts cursor appearance, border styles, and color schemes to customize the terminal interface.
- UI Template Customization - Defines custom rulers using templates and assigns icons to file types via configuration files.
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