ranger
A console file manager with vi keybindings and a three-column view showing parent, current and preview.
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About ranger
ranger presents the filesystem as three columns: where you came from, where you are, and what is selected, which makes moving around a deep tree unusually easy to follow. It uses vi keybindings throughout, and ships with `rifle`, a file launcher that works out which program should open a given file type.
It is written in Python, which makes it easy to extend and configure but slower to start than the Go and Rust alternatives. A multi-pane view mode exists for people coming from Midnight Commander. It is widely packaged and has been the reference terminal file manager for many years; the last release was in November 2024.
Strengths
- Three-column view makes navigating a deep directory tree easy to follow
- rifle works out the right program to open each file type automatically
- vi keybindings throughout, with everything configurable in Python
- A multi-pane mode for people used to Midnight Commander
Limitations
- Python startup makes it noticeably slower than Go or Rust alternatives
- The last release was November 2024 and development has slowed
- Previews need external programs configured for each file type
- Linux-focused; macOS works but Windows does not
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GNU General Public Licence version 3.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Developer
- ranger
- Platforms
- macOS, Linux, Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Browsing files in a terminal with vi keys and live previews
- Categories
- File managers
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Utilities); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 2 sources on file.
Alternatives to ranger
Compare allSoftware that can replace ranger for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Yazi
A terminal file manager where nothing blocks: every read, preview and copy happens asynchronously.
Yazi keeps a terminal preview-focused layout but is fully asynchronous with built-in image previews and code highlighting, runs on Windows, and uses Lua plugins and TOML configuration.
nnn
A terminal file manager of about 150 KB that starts instantly, uses under 4 MB of memory and needs almost no configuration.
nnn is about 150 KB, starts instantly and uses under 4 MB of memory, but previews need plugins and configuration is done through environment variables.
superfile
A terminal file manager with a modern, colourful interface, built in Go with themes and plugin support.
superfile is a single Go binary with a themed interface, built-in previews and fuzzy search that installs on Windows, though its hotkeys still change between releases.
xplr
Explore files with a configurable terminal interface.
xplr is an MIT-licensed terminal explorer on macOS and Linux with scriptable navigation, but customisation requires configuring the surrounding workflow.
broot
Navigate large directory trees and find files in the terminal.
broot offers compact tree navigation and interactive search on Windows, macOS and Linux, but changing the parent shell directory requires shell integration.
Midnight Commander
Two-panel file manager for the terminal, with an editor and remote access.
Midnight Commander uses a two-panel layout with a built-in editor and remote filesystem access, with function-key bindings instead of vi keys.
