Terminal-based file managers may seem a little old school, but these two options for Linux will come in handy for a variety of tasks. Image: iStock/Spectral-Design Terminal-based file managers may seem like relics of ancient times, but even in this age of touchscreens, nothing can handle hundreds of files more efficiently. Besides, a terminal may […]
I honestly do not understand terminal file managers, what’s their appeal, how are they better than what my command line already offers to me? I am not trying to dismiss them, I just plain do not understand how they are useful to people.
For me, it’s quicker if I don’t remember the exact file name or location. Just see a list, enter a dir, repeat. Instead of typing ls and cd, it’s hjkl movement
I’ve used both ranger and nnn fairly extensively, but I remember wondering the same thing before I tried out terminal file managers seriously. I think they are easier to use and more versatile. With a few key strokes you can perform bulk actions on a large number of files in various locations. You can run arbitrary commands on a selection of files, and define your own functionality fairly easily. Plus, if you ever work in a non-graphical environment, like on a remote server, then they are very nifty to have in your toolbelt.
I honestly do not understand terminal file managers, what’s their appeal, how are they better than what my command line already offers to me? I am not trying to dismiss them, I just plain do not understand how they are useful to people.
For me, it’s quicker if I don’t remember the exact file name or location. Just see a list, enter a dir, repeat. Instead of typing ls and cd, it’s hjkl movement
I’ve used both ranger and nnn fairly extensively, but I remember wondering the same thing before I tried out terminal file managers seriously. I think they are easier to use and more versatile. With a few key strokes you can perform bulk actions on a large number of files in various locations. You can run arbitrary commands on a selection of files, and define your own functionality fairly easily. Plus, if you ever work in a non-graphical environment, like on a remote server, then they are very nifty to have in your toolbelt.