## nnn Noice is Not Noice, a noicer fork...

Latest release Homebrew Arch Linux Debian Buster+ Fedora 27+ openSUSE Leap 15.0+ Ubuntu Artful+

Build Status License

[![nnn screencast](https://i.imgur.com/wNtI24c.jpg)](https://vimeo.com/233223942 "Click to see nnn in action!")

nnn in action! (click to play video)

`nnn` is probably the [fastest and most resource-sensitive](#memory-usage) 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, or use it as a [vim file picker](https://github.com/jarun/nnn#neovim-plugin); `nnn` supports as many scripts as you need! It runs on Linux, OS X, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin, Linux subsystem for Windows and Termux. [Quickstart](#quickstart) and see how `nnn` simplifies those long desktop sessions... Missing a feature? Want to contribute? Head to the rolling [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.*

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#### TABLE OF CONTENTS - [Features](#features) - [Memory usage](#memory-usage) - [Installation](#installation) - [Dependencies](#dependencies) - [From a package manager](#from-a-package-manager) - [Release packages](#release-packages) - [From source](#from-source) - [Shell completion](#shell-completion) - [Usage](#usage) - [Cmdline options](#cmdline-options) - [Keyboard shortcuts](#keyboard-shortcuts) - [Leader key](#leader-key) - [Contexts](#contexts) - [Filters](#filters) - [Navigate-as-you-type mode](#navigate-as-you-type-mode) - [File indicators](#file-indicators) - [Utility dependencies](#utility-dependencies) - [Help](#help) - [Quickstart](#quickstart) - [How to](#how-to) - [add bookmarks](#add-bookmarks) - [copy file paths](#copy-file-paths) - [selection](#selection) - [to clipboard](#to-clipboard) - [cd on quit](#cd-on-quit) - [(neo)vim plugin](#neovim-plugin) - [run custom scripts](#run-custom-scripts) - [sample scripts](#sample-scripts) - [change dir color](#change-dir-color) - [integrate patool](#integrate-patool) - [work faster at rename prompt](#work-faster-at-rename-prompt) - [set idle timeout](#set-idle-timeout) - [show hot plugged drives](#show-hot-plugged-drives) - [tmux configuration](#tmux-configuration) - [BSD terminal issue](#bsd-terminal-issue) - [Disable file open on navigation](#disable-file-open-on-navigation) - [Why fork?](#why-fork) - [Mentions](#mentions) - [Developers](#developers) #### FEATURES - Modes - Basic, detail (default), disk usage analyzer (du) - Vim (or neovim) file picker (as a plugin) - Navigation - Familiar, easy shortcuts (arrows, `~`, `-`, `&`) - *Navigate-as-you-type* with auto-select directory - Contexts (_aka_ tabs _aka_ workspaces) - Bookmarks - Pin and visit a directory - Sorting - Directories always listed on top - Sort by file name, modification time, size - Numeric order for numeric names (visit _/proc_) - Search - Instant filtering with *search-as-you-type* - Mimes - Open with desktop opener or specify a custom app - Create, list, extract archives (needs (p)atool) - Open all text files in EDITOR (optional) - Information - Detailed stat-like file information - Media information (needs mediainfo/exiftool) - Convenience - Create, rename files and directories - Select multiple files; copy, move, delete selection - Batch rename/move/delete (needs vidir) - Show directories in custom color (default: blue) - Spawn a subshell in the current directory - Run custom scripts in the current directory - Change directory at exit (*easy* shell integration) - Edit file in EDITOR or open in PAGER - GUI app launcher (up to 2 space-separated args) - Terminal locker integration - Unicode support - Highly optimized, static analysis integrated code - Available on many distros #### MEMORY USAGE `nnn` vs. ncdu memory usage in disk usage analyzer mode (400K files on disk):
  PID USER      PR  NI    VIRT    RES    SHR S  %CPU %MEM     TIME+ COMMAND
 5034 vaio      20   0   71628  59932   2412 S   0.0  0.7   0:01.22 ncdu /
 4949 vaio      20   0   14812   3616   2560 S   0.0  0.0   0:00.83 nnn -S /
`nnn` vs. midnight commander vs. ranger memory usage while viewing a directory with 13.5K files, sorted by size:
  PID USER      PR  NI    VIRT    RES    SHR S  %CPU %MEM     TIME+ COMMAND
31885 vaio      20   0  139720  91220   8460 S   0.0  1.1   0:02.96 /usr/bin/python -O /usr/bin/ranger
30108 vaio      20   0   72152  12468   7336 S   0.0  0.2   0:00.06 mc
30168 vaio      20   0   16476   5072   2640 S   0.0  0.1   0:00.22 nnn -c 1 -i
Intrigued? Find out [HOW](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/performance-factors). #### INSTALLATION #### Dependencies `nnn` needs libncursesw (on Linux or ncurses on OS X) 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`) - [Homebrew](http://formulae.brew.sh/formula/nnn) (`brew install 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`) - [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. #### 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 N] [-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 N dir color, disables if N>7 -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/enter dir . Toggle show hidden / Filter Ins, ^I Toggle nav-as-you-type b Pin current dir ^W Go to pinned dir d Toggle detail view ^T Next active context `, ^/ Leader key LeaderN Go to 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 ^J Toggle du mode S Toggle apparent size s Toggle sort by size t Toggle sort by mtime MISC o Launch GUI app !, ^] Spawn SHELL in dir R Run custom script L Lock terminal ``` 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 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. #### Filters Filters support regexes to instantly (search-as-you-type) list the matching entries in the current directory. Ways to exit filter prompt: - press ^L to clear filter followed by Bksp (to clear the filter symbol, like vi) - at other prompts ^L followed by Enter discards all changes and exits prompt - run a search with no matches and press Enter 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) 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) (OS X), 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 (OS X), 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 edit all text files in EDITOR (preferably CLI, fallback vi): export NNN_USE_EDITOR=1 Note: Arguments to the editor should be combined together, e.g., export EDITOR='vim -xR' #### 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 ##### 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; 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 To see the path to the temporary copy file, run `nnn`, press ? and look up `copy file`. To use the copied paths from the cmdline, use command substitution. For example, if `DIR` above is `/home/user`: # bash/zsh ls -ltr `cat /home/user/.nnncp` ls -ltr $(cat /home/user/.nnncp) # fish ls -ltr (cat /home/user/.nnncp) An alias may be handy: alias ncp='cat /home/user/.nnncp' so you can easily handle files together: # bash/zsh ls -ltr `ncp` ls -ltr $(ncp) # fish ls -ltr (ncp) ##### 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 OS X. Sample Linux copier script: #!/bin/sh # comment the next line to convert newlines to spaces IFS= echo -n $1 | xsel --clipboard --input export `NNN_COPIER`: export NNN_COPIER="/path/to/copier.sh" #### 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). #### run custom scripts `nnn` can invoke custom scripts with the currently selected file name as argument 1. Export the path to the custom executable script: export NNN_SCRIPT=/usr/local/bin/nscript Press R to run the script in the current directory. It's possible to run multiple scripts with `nnn` as long as the scripts are in the same location and share the same prefix. To enable multiple scripts, export NNN_MULTISCRIPT=1 With the example of `NNN_SCRIPT` above, some more scripts could be: /usr/local/bin/nscript1 /usr/local/bin/nscript2 /usr/local/bin/nscriptcustom1 /usr/local/bin/nscriptcustom2 and so on... Type the correct suffix when prompted on pressing the keybind R. To use the base script (`NNN_SCRIPT`), just press Enter. ##### sample scripts - Open image files in current dir in **sxiv**: #!/usr/bin/env sh sxiv -q * >/dev/null 2>&1 - Fuzzy find files in **fzy** and open with xdg-open: #!/usr/bin/env sh xdg-open $(find -type f | fzy) >/dev/null 2>&1 #### change dir color The default color for directories is blue. Option `-c` accepts color codes from 0 to 7 to use a different color: 0-black, 1-red, 2-green, 3-yellow, 4-blue, 5-magenta, 6-cyan, 7-white Any other value disables colored directories. #### integrate patool On systems where `atool` is not available but `patool` is, drop two copies of the Python3 script [natool](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/blob/master/scripts/natool) as `atool` and `apack` somewhere in `$PATH`. #### work faster at rename prompt The rename prompt supports some bash-like command-line shortcuts - ^A, ^E, ^U. ^L clears the name. #### set idle timeout The terminal locker is disabled by default. To set the wait time in seconds, use environment variable `NNN_IDLE_TIMEOUT`. #### show 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. #### Disable file open on navigation In order to disable opening files on accidental navigation key ( or l) press: export DISABLE_FILE_OPEN_ON_NAV=1 To open files with this setting, press Enter. #### 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/) - [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 © 2016-2018 [Arun Prakash Jana](https://github.com/jarun)