nnn - type less, do more, way faster
navigate-as-you-type & du (click to see demo video)
## Introduction
`nnn` is a full-featured terminal file manager. It's tiny, [extremely light and fast](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Performance).
`nnn` is also a disk usage analyzer, a fuzzy app launcher, a batch file renamer and a file picker. The [plugin repository](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/plugins#nnn-plugins) has 30+ plugins to extend the capabilities further. There's an independent [(neo)vim plugin](https://github.com/mcchrish/nnn.vim).
It runs smoothly on the Raspberry Pi, Termux [on Android](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbaauM7gUJw), Linux, macOS, BSD, Cygwin and Linux subsystem for Windows. `nnn` works seamlessly with DEs and GUI utilities. It's nearly zero-config (with sensible defaults) and can be setup in less than 5 minutes.
Add to that an awesome [Wiki](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki)!
## Features
- Modes
- Light (default), detail
- Disk usage analyzer (block/apparent)
- File picker, (neo)vim plugin
- Navigation
- *Navigate-as-you-type* with dir auto-select
- Contexts (_aka_ tabs/workspaces) with custom colors
- Sessions, bookmarks; pin and visit a dir
- Familiar shortcuts (arrows, ~, -, @), quick reference
- CD on quit (*easy* shell integration)
- Sorting
- Ordered pure numeric names by default (visit _/proc_)
- Case-insensitive version (_aka_ natural) sort
- By file name, modification/access time, size, extension
- Search
- Instant filtering with *search-as-you-type*
- Regex and substring match
- Subtree search to open or edit files (using plugin)
- Mimes
- Open with desktop opener or specify a custom app
- Create, list, extract, mount (FUSE based) archives
- Option to open all text files in EDITOR
- Information
- Detailed file information
- Media information (using plugin)
- Convenience
- Run plugins and commands with custom keybinds
- FreeDesktop compliant trash (needs trash-cli)
- SSHFS mounts (needs sshfs)
- Cross-dir file/all/range selection
- Batch rename selection or dir entries
- Copy (as), move (as), delete, archive, link selection
- Create, rename, duplicate files and dirs
- Spawn a shell, run apps, run commands, execute file
- Lock terminal (needs a locker)
- Minimal deps, minimal config
- Widely available
- Unicode support
- Follows Linux kernel coding style
- Highly optimized, static analysis integrated code
## Quickstart
1. Install the [utilities you may need](https://github.com/jarun/nnn#utility-dependencies) based on your regular workflows.
2. Configure [cd on quit](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Basic-use-cases#configure-cd-on-quit).
3. Optionally open all text files in `$EDITOR` (fallback vi): `export NNN_USE_EDITOR=1`
4. For additional functionality [install plugins](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/plugins#installing-plugins) and the GUI app launcher [`nlaunch`](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/misc/nlaunch).
Notes:
1. Don't memorize keys. Arrows, / and q suffice. Press ? for help on keyboard shortcuts anytime.
2. To set `nnn` as the default file manager, follow these [instructions](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Advanced-use-cases#configure-as-default-fm).
## Installation
#### Library dependencies
A curses library with wide char support (e.g. ncursesw), libreadline (`make O_NORL=1` to drop) and standard libc.
#### Utility dependencies
| Dependency | Installation | Operation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| xdg-open (Linux), open(1) (macOS), cygstart (Cygwin) | base | desktop opener |
| file, coreutils (cp, mv, rm), findutils (xargs) | base | file type, copy, move and remove |
| tar, (un)zip [atool/bsdtar for more formats] | base | create, list, extract tar, gzip, bzip2, zip |
| archivemount, fusermount(3) | optional | mount, unmount archives |
| sshfs, fusermount(3) | optional | mount, unmount remotes |
| trash-cli | optional | trash files (default action: rm) |
| vlock (Linux), bashlock (macOS), lock(1) (BSD) | optional | terminal locker (fallback: [cmatrix](https://github.com/abishekvashok/cmatrix)) |
| advcpmv (Linux) ([integration](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Advanced-use-cases#show-cp-mv-progress)) | optional | copy, move progress |
| `$VISUAL` (else `$EDITOR`), `$PAGER`, `$SHELL` | optional | fallback vi, less, sh |
#### From a package manager
Install `nnn` from your package manager. If the version available is dated try an alternative installation method.
Packaging status (expand)
Unlisted distros:
● CentOS (yum --enablerepo=epel install nnn
)
● Milis Linux (mps kur nnn
)
● NuTyX (cards install nnn
)
● Source Mage (cast nnn
)
#### Release packages
Packages for Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora and Ubuntu are auto-generated with the [latest stable release](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/releases/latest).
#### From source
Download the latest stable release or clone this repository (*risky*), install deps and compile. On Ubuntu 18.04:
$ sudo apt-get install pkg-config libncursesw5-dev libreadline-dev
$ make
$ sudo make strip install
`PREFIX` is supported, in case you want to install to a different location.
Visit the [developer guides](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Developer-guides) for compilation notes on the Pi, Cygwin and other compilation modes.
#### Shell completion
Completion scripts for Bash, Fish and Zsh are [available](misc/auto-completion). Refer to your shell's manual for installation instructions.
## Usage
#### Configuration
There is no config file. Associated files are stored under `${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/nnn/`.
`nnn` supports the following optional (set if you need) environment variables.
| Example `export` | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `NNN_BMS='d:~/Documents;D:~/Docs archive/'` | key-bookmark pairs [max 10] |
| `NNN_PLUG='p:mocplay;m:nmount;t:thumb;x:_chmod +x'` | key-plugin (or cmd) pairs (:key to run) [max 15] |
| `NNN_USE_EDITOR=1` | open text files in `$VISUAL` (else `$EDITOR`, fallback vi) |
| `NNN_CONTEXT_COLORS='1234'` | specify per context color [default: '4444' (all blue)] |
| `NNN_SSHFS_OPTS='sshfs -o reconnect,idmap=user'` | specify SSHFS options |
| `NNN_OPENER=mimeopen` | custom file opener |
| `NNN_IDLE_TIMEOUT=300` | idle seconds to lock terminal [default: disabled] |
| `NNN_COPIER=copier` | clipboard copier script [default: none] |
| `NNN_TRASH=1` | trash files to the desktop Trash [default: delete] |
#### Cmdline options
```
usage: nnn [OPTIONS] [PATH]
The missing terminal file manager for X.
positional args:
PATH start dir [default: .]
optional args:
-a use access time
-b key open bookmark key
-c cli-only opener
-d detail mode
-e name load session by name
-f run filter as cmd on prompt key
-H show hidden files
-i nav-as-you-type mode
-K detect key collision
-n version sort
-o open files on Enter
-p file selection file [stdout if '-']
-r use advcpmv patched cp, mv
-s string filters [default: regex]
-S du mode
-t disable dir auto-select
-v show version
-h show help
```
#### Keyboard and mouse
The list below is from the **dev branch**. Press ? in `nnn` to see the keybinds in your installed version.
```
NAVIGATION
Up k Up PgUp ^U Scroll up
Down j Down PgDn ^D Scroll down
Left h Parent ~ ` @ - HOME, /, start, last
Ret Right l Open . Toggle show hidden
g ^A First entry G ^E Last entry
b Pin current dir ^B Go to pinned dir
(Sh)Tab Cycle context d Toggle detail view
, ^/ Lead key N LeadN Context N
/ Filter/Lead Ins ^N Toggle nav-as-you-type
Esc Exit prompt ^L F5 Redraw/clear prompt
? Help, conf ' Lead' First file
Q ^Q Quit ^G QuitCD q Quit context
FILES
^O Open with... n Create new/link
D File detail ^R F2 Rename/duplicate
Space ^J/a Select entry/all r Batch rename
m ^K Sel range, clear M List selection
P Copy selection K Edit selection
V Move selection w Copy/move sel as
X Del selection ^X Del entry
f Create archive T Mount archive
^F Extract archive F List archive
e Edit in EDITOR p Open in PAGER
ORDER TOGGLES
A Apparent du S du
s Size E Extn t Time
MISC
! ^] Shell C Execute entry
R ^V Pick plugin :K xK Execute plugin K
U Manage session = Launch
c SSHFS mount u Unmount
^P Prompt/run cmd L Lock
```
Notes:
1. Help & settings, file details and archive listing are shown in the `$PAGER`.
2. To change shortcuts modify key bindings in `nnn.h` and compile.
| Mouse click | Function |
|---| --- |
| Left single on context number | Visit context |
| Left single on top row after context numbers | Visit parent |
| Left single/double on last 2 rows | Toggle nav-as-you-type |
| Left single | Select context or entry |
| Left double | Select context or open entry |
#### Lead key
The Lead/Leader key provides a powerful multi-functional navigation mechanism. It is case-sensitive and understands contexts, bookmarks and location shortcuts.
| Follower key | Function |
|:---:| --- |
| 1-4 | Go to/create selected context |
| key | Go to bookmarked location |
| ' | Go to first file in directory |
| ~ ` @ - | Visit HOME, `/`, start, last visited dir |
| . | Toggle show hidden files |
When the filter is on, / works as an additional Lead key.
#### Help
$ nnn -h
$ man nnn
To lookup keyboard shortcuts at runtime, press ?.
## Elsewhere
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nnn_(file_manager))
- [ArchWiki](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Nnn)
- [FOSSMint](https://www.fossmint.com/nnn-linux-terminal-file-browser/)
- Hacker News [[1](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18520898)] [[2](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19850656)]
- [It's FOSS](https://itsfoss.com/nnn-file-browser-linux/)
- LinuxLinks [[1](https://www.linuxlinks.com/nnn-fast-and-flexible-file-manager/)] [[2](https://www.linuxlinks.com/bestconsolefilemanagers/)]
- [Suckless Rocks](https://suckless.org/rocks/)
- [Ubuntu Full Circle Magazine - Issue 135](https://fullcirclemagazine.org/issue-135/)
## Developers
- [Arun Prakash Jana](https://github.com/jarun) (Copyright © 2016-2019)
- [0xACE](https://github.com/0xACE)
- [Anna Arad](https://github.com/annagrram)
- [KlzXS](https://github.com/KlzXS)
- [Sijmen J. Mulder](https://github.com/sjmulder)
- and other contributors
Visit the to the [ToDo list](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/337) to contribute.