nnn in action! (Thanks Luke Smith for the video!)
`nnn` is probably the [fastest and most lightweight](#comparison) file manager you have ever used. It integrates seamlessly with your DE and favourite GUI utilities, has a unique [navigate-as-you-type](#navigate-as-you-type-mode) mode with auto-select, disk usage analyzer mode, bookmarks, contexts, application launcher, familiar navigation shortcuts, subshell spawning and much more. [Integrate utilities](https://github.com/jarun/nnn#sample-scripts) like sxiv or fzy easily, transfer selected files using lftp or use it as a [(neo)vim plugin](https://github.com/jarun/nnn#neovim-plugin); `nnn` supports as many scripts as you need! It runs on Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi, BSD, Cygwin, Linux subsystem for Windows and Termux. [Quickstart](#quickstart) and see how `nnn` simplifies those long desktop sessions. We need contributors. Please visit the [ToDo list](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/137). *Love smart and efficient utilities? Explore [my repositories](https://github.com/jarun?tab=repositories). Buy me a cup of coffee if they help you.*
BINSZ VIRT RES SHR S %MEM COMMAND 650K 139720 91220 8460 S 1.1 ranger 1M 50496 15328 4076 S 0.2 vifm 1M 72152 12468 7336 S 0.2 mc 70K 16068 4620 2408 S 0.1 ncdu 55K 15712 4368 2512 S 0.1 nnn -SIntrigued? Find out [HOW](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/performance-factors). #### INSTALLATION #### Dependencies `nnn` needs a curses library with wide character support (like ncursesw) and standard libc. #### From a package manager - [Arch Linux](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/community/x86_64/nnn/) (`pacman -S nnn`) - [Debian](https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=nnn&searchon=names&exact=1) (`apt-get install nnn`) - [Fedora](https://apps.fedoraproject.org/packages/nnn) (`dnf install nnn`) - [FreeBSD](https://www.freshports.org/misc/nnn) (`pkg install nnn`) - [Gentoo](https://packages.gentoo.org/packages/app-misc/nnn) (`emerge nnn`) - [macOS/Homebrew](http://formulae.brew.sh/formula/nnn) (`brew install nnn`) - [Milis Linux](https://notabug.org/milislinux/milis/src/master/talimatname/genel/n/nnn/talimat) (`mps kur nnn`) - [NixOS](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/tree/master/pkgs/applications/misc/nnn) (`nix-env -i nnn`) - [OpenBSD](https://cvsweb.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb/ports/sysutils/nnn/) (`pkg_add nnn`) - [openSUSE](https://software.opensuse.org/package/nnn) (and packages for several other distros) (`zypper in nnn`) - [pkgrsc](http://pkgsrc.se/sysutils/nnn) (`pkg_add nnn`) - [Raspbian Testing](https://archive.raspbian.org/raspbian/pool/main/n/nnn/) (`apt-get install nnn`) - [Slackware](http://slackbuilds.org/repository/14.2/system/nnn/) (`slackpkg install nnn`) - [Solus](https://packages.getsol.us/shannon/n/nnn/) (`eopkg install nnn`) - [Source Mage](http://codex.sourcemage.org/test/shell-term-fm/nnn/) (`cast nnn`) - [Termux](https://github.com/termux/termux-packages/tree/master/packages/nnn) (`pkg in nnn`) - [Ubuntu](https://packages.ubuntu.com/search?keywords=nnn&searchon=names&exact=1) (`apt-get install nnn`) - [Ubuntu PPA](https://launchpad.net/~twodopeshaggy/+archive/ubuntu/jarun/) (`apt-get install nnn`) - [Void Linux](https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages/tree/master/srcpkgs/nnn) (`xbps-install -S nnn`) #### Release packages Packages for Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Solus, 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 $ make $ sudo make install `PREFIX` is supported, in case you want to install to a different location. - Compilation information for [Raspberry Pi](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/182) - Instructions for [Cygwin](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Cygwin-instructions) #### Shell completion Search keyword and option completion scripts for Bash, Fish and Zsh can be found in respective subdirectories of [`scripts/auto-completion/`](scripts/auto-completion). Please refer to your shell's manual for installation instructions. #### USAGE #### Cmdline options ``` usage: nnn [-b key] [-C] [-e] [-i] [-l] [-p file] [-S] [-v] [-h] [PATH] The missing terminal file manager for X. positional args: PATH start dir [default: current dir] optional args: -b key bookmark key to open -C disable directory color -e use exiftool instead of mediainfo -i start in navigate-as-you-type mode -l start in light mode -p file copy selection to file (stdout if '-') -S start in disk usage analyser mode -v show program version -h show this help ``` `>` indicates the currently selected entry in `nnn`. #### Keyboard shortcuts Press ? in `nnn` to see the list anytime. ``` NAVIGATION ↑, k, ^P Up PgUp, ^U Scroll up ↓, j, ^N Down PgDn, ^D Scroll down Home, g, ^, ^A First entry ~ Go HOME End, G, $, ^E Last entry & Start dir ←, Bksp, h, ^H Parent dir - Last visited dir →, ↵, l, ^M Open file/dir . Toggle show hidden / Filter Ins, ^T Toggle nav-as-you-type b Pin current dir ^W Go to pinned dir Tab, ^I Next context d Toggle detail view `, ^/ Leader key LeaderN Go to/create context N Esc Exit prompt ^L Redraw/clear prompt ^G Quit and cd q Quit context Q, ^Q Quit ? Help, config FILES ^O Open with... n Create new D File details ^R Rename entry ⎵, ^K Copy entry path r Open dir in vidir Y, ^Y Toggle selection y List selection P Copy selection X Delete selection V Move selection ^X Delete entry f Archive entry F List archive ^F Extract archive m, M Brief/full media info e Edit in EDITOR p Open in PAGER ORDER TOGGLES ^J Disk usage S Apparent du t Modification time s Size MISC !, ^] Spawn SHELL in dir C Execute entry R, ^V Run custom script L Lock terminal ^S Run a command ``` Help & settings, file details, media info and archive listing are shown in the PAGER. Please use the PAGER-specific keys in these screens. #### Leader key The Leader key (` or ^/) provides a powerful multi-functional navigation mechanism. It is case-sensitive and understands contexts, bookmarks and handy 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 HOME directory | | - | Go to last visited directory | | & | Go to start directory | | q | Quit context | #### Contexts Contexts serve the purpose of exploring multiple directories simultaneously. 4 contexts are available. The status of the contexts are shown in the top left corner: - the current context is in reverse - other used contexts are underlined - rest are unused To switch to a context press the Leader key followed by the context number (1-4). The first time a context is entered, it copies the state of the last visited context. Each context remembers its start directory and last visited directory. When a context is quit, the next active context is selected. If the last active context is quit, the program quits. ##### Context-specific color Each context can have its own color for directories specified: export NNN_CONTEXT_COLORS="1234" colors: 0-black, 1-red, 2-green, 3-yellow, 4-blue (default), 5-magenta, 6-cyan, 7-white #### Selection Use ^K to copy the absolute path of the file under the cursor. To copy multiple absolute file paths: - press ^Y (or Y) to enter selection mode. In this mode it's possible to - cherry-pick individual files one by one by pressing ^K on each entry (works across directories and contexts); or, - navigate to another file in the same directory to select a range of files - press ^Y (or Y) _again_ to copy the paths and exit the selection mode The files in the list can now be copied (P), moved (V) or removed (X). To list the file paths copied to memory press y. File paths are copied to the temporary file `DIR/.nnncp`, where `DIR` (by priority) is: $HOME or, $TMPDIR or, /tmp The path is shown in the help and configuration screen. #### Filters Filters support regexes by default to instantly (search-as-you-type) list the matching entries in the current directory. Common use cases: - to list all matches starting with the filter expression, start the expression with a `^` (caret) symbol - type `\.mkv` to list all MKV files - use `.*` to match any character (_sort of_ fuzzy search) To filter entries by substring match: export NNN_PLAIN_FILTER=1 If `nnn` is invoked as root or the environment variable `NNN_SHOW_HIDDEN` is set the default filter will also match hidden files. #### Navigate-as-you-type mode In this mode directories are opened in filter mode, allowing continuous navigation. Works best with the **arrow keys**. In case of only one match and it's a directory, `nnn` auto selects the directory and enters it in this mode. To disable this behaviour, export NNN_NO_AUTOSELECT=1 #### File indicators The following indicators are used in the detail view: | Indicator | File Type | |:---:| --- | | `/` | Directory | | `*` | Executable | |
| | Fifo |
| `=` | Socket |
| `@` | Symbolic Link |
| `@/` | Symbolic Link to directory |
| `b` | Block Device |
| `c` | Character Device |
#### Utility dependencies
| External dependency | Operation |
| --- | --- |
| xdg-open (Linux), open(1) (macOS), cygstart (Cygwin) | desktop opener |
| file | determine file type |
| cp, mv, rm, xargs (from findutils on Linux) | copy, move and remove files |
| mediainfo, exiftool | multimedia file details |
| atool, patool ([integration](#integrate-patool)) | create, list and extract archives |
| vidir (from moreutils) | batch rename, move, delete dir entries |
| vlock (Linux), bashlock (macOS), lock(1) (BSD) | terminal locker |
| $EDITOR (overridden by $VISUAL, if defined) | edit files (fallback vi) |
| $PAGER | page through files (fallback less) |
| $SHELL | spawn a shell, run script (fallback sh) |
To specify a custom file opener:
export NNN_OPENER=mimeopen
To edit all text files in EDITOR (preferably CLI, fallback vi):
export NNN_USE_EDITOR=1
Arguments to the `$PAGER` and `$SHELL` should be combined together.
The option `open with` takes 1 combined argument.
#### Help
$ nnn -h
$ man nnn
To lookup keyboard shortcuts at runtime, press ?.
#### QUICKSTART
1. Install the [utilities required](#file-handling) for your regular activities.
2. Configure [cd on quit](#cd-on-quit).
3. Optionally open all text files in EDITOR (fallback vi):
export NNN_USE_EDITOR=1
4. Run `n`.
5. Press ? for help on keyboard shortcuts anytime.
6. For additional functionality [setup custom scripts](#run-custom-scripts).
#### HOW TO
#### add bookmarks
Set environment variable `NNN_BMS` as a string of `key_char:location` pairs (max 10) separated by semicolons (`;`):
export NNN_BMS='d:~/Documents;u:/home/user/Cam Uploads;D:~/Downloads/'
NOTE: Bookmark keys should be single-character to use them in combination with the Leader key.
#### copy file paths
##### to clipboard
Along with default copy, `nnn` can pipe the absolute path of the current file or multiple files to a copier script. For example, you can use `xsel` on Linux or `pbcopy` on macOS. Here's a sample [copier script](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/blob/master/scripts/user-scripts/copier.sh).
To inform `nnn` of the executable copier script location:
export NNN_COPIER="/path/to/copier.sh"
##### get selection manually
NOTE: In the following examples we assume the copy file is at `/home/user/.nnncp`.
The file paths are `NUL`-terminated, so additional processing is required to make them usable.
To get a space-separated list of the file paths in selection:
cat /home/user/.nnncp | xargs -0 echo
To get a newline-separated list of the file paths in selection:
# bash/zsh
ls -ltr `cat /home/user/.nnncp | tr '\0' '\n'`
ls -ltr $(cat /home/user/.nnncp | tr '\0' '\n')
# fish
ls -ltr (cat /home/user/.nnncp | tr '\0' '\n')
An alias may be handy, e.g. when you want to copy selection at the _run a command_ prompt:
alias ncp="cat /home/user/.nnncp | tr '\0' '\n'"
so you can easily handle files together:
# bash/zsh
ls -ltr `ncp`
ls -ltr $(ncp)
# fish
ls -ltr (ncp)
To get the list in a file:
ncp > out.txt
#### cd on quit
To quit `nnn` and switch to the directory last opened follow the instructions below.
Pick the appropriate file for your shell from [`scripts/quitcd`](scripts/quitcd) and add the contents to your shell's rc file. You'll need to spawn a new shell for the change to take effect. You should start `nnn` as `n` (or modify the function name to something else). To change directory on quit press `^G` while exiting.
As you might notice, `nnn` uses the environment variable `NNN_TMPFILE` to write the last visited directory path. You can change it.
#### (neo)vim plugin
`nnn` can be used as a file picker/chooser within vim or neovim. Find the plugin [here](https://github.com/mcchrish/nnn.vim).
#### file picker
To use `nnn` as a file picker and redirect the output to other programs, use [picker.sh](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/blob/master/scripts/user-scripts/picker.sh).
Ways to pick files:
- use selection and press q to quit
- press Enter to pick any earlier selection and the current entry (to avoid selecting the last file in the selection twice, press q instead).
Notes:
- pressing Enter on a directory enters it; when trying to pick a directory, e.g. to pipe to `cd`, use single file selection and press q
- to discard selection and quit, press ^G
#### run custom scripts
`nnn` can invoke custom scripts in the current directory with the currently selected file name as argument 1.
Export the absolute path to the directory with your scripts or a single script:
export NNN_SCRIPT=/home/user/scripts
OR
export NNN_SCRIPT=/usr/local/bin/nscript.sh
Press R to run the script in the current directory. You can also use this key to cancel choosing a script from the script directory and get back to the original directory.
##### sample scripts
Sample scripts for use cases like sxiv or fzy integration are under [user-scripts](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/scripts/user-scripts). Feel free to contribute yours!
#### launch applications
Applications can be launched from the _run a command_ prompt. Use `&` to launch GUI applications in the background.
#### change dir color
The default color for directories is blue. Option `-c` accepts color codes from 0 to 7 to use a different color:
0-black, 1-red, 2-green, 3-yellow, 4-blue, 5-magenta, 6-cyan, 7-white
Any other value disables colored directories.
#### integrate patool
On systems where `atool` is not available but `patool` is, drop two copies of the Python3 script [natool](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/scripts/natool) as `atool` and `apack` somewhere in `$PATH`.
#### remote transfers
lftp can be used with `nnn` for automated remote transfers or copying a selection to a server. Visit the [wiki page](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/simplify-remote-transfers-with-lftp) for more details on the integration.
#### prompt shortcuts
The prompts (expect filter prompt) support some bash-like command-line shortcuts - ^A, ^E, ^U.
Key ^L clears and Esc exits _any_ prompt.
#### set idle timeout
The terminal locker is disabled by default. To set the wait time in seconds, use environment variable `NNN_IDLE_TIMEOUT`.
#### hot-plugged drives
Enable volume management in your DE file manager and set removable drives or media to be auto-mounted when inserted. Then visit the usual mount point location (`/mnt` or `/media/user`) in `nnn`.
#### tmux configuration
`nnn` might not handle keypresses correctly when used with tmux (see issue #104 for more details). Set `TERM=xterm-256color` to address it.
#### BSD terminal issue
By default in OpenBSD & FreeBSD, `stty` maps ^Y to `DSUSP`. This means that typing ^Y will suspend `nnn` as if you typed ^Z (you can bring `nnn` back to the foreground by issuing `fg`) instead of entering multi-copy mode. You can check this with `stty -a`. If it includes the text `dsusp = ^Y`, issuing `stty dsusp undef` will disable this `DSUSP` and let `nnn` receive the ^Y instead.
#### restrict file open
In order to disable opening files on accidental navigation key (→ or l) press:
export NNN_RESTRICT_NAV_OPEN=1
Use Enter to open files.
#### restrict 0-byte files
Restrict opening 0-byte files due to [unexpected behaviour](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/187); use _edit_ or _open with_ to open the file.
export NNN_RESTRICT_0B=1
#### WHY FORK?
`nnn` was initially forked from [noice](http://git.2f30.org/noice/) but is significantly [different](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/nnn-vs.-noice) today. I chose to fork because:
- one can argue my approach deviates from the goal of the original project - keep the utility `suckless`. `noice` was rudimentary. In my opinion evolution is the taste of time.
- I would like to have a bit of control on what features are added in the name of desktop integration. A feature-bloat is the last thing in my mind. Check out [nnn design considerations](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/nnn-design-considerations) for more details.
#### MENTIONS
- [FOSSMint](https://www.fossmint.com/nnn-linux-terminal-file-browser/)
- [Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18520898)
- [It's FOSS](https://itsfoss.com/nnn-file-browser-linux/)
- [LinuxLinks](https://www.linuxlinks.com/nnn-fast-and-flexible-file-manager/)
- [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)