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SPECIFICTION
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cfiles

github.com

Free plan macOSLinux
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Spec score 8.4 #8 of 29 in Terminal File Managers

What it is

cfiles is a free terminal file manager written in C with ncurses and vim-like keybindings. It targets a ranger-like interface while remaining lightweight, fast and minimal, and runs on Linux and macOS. Navigation uses h, j, k and l, with shortcuts for top, middle, bottom and page scrolling. The f and F keys search with fzf, while S opens a shell in the current directory. File selections can be copied, moved, renamed, sent to trash or removed. Preview support covers images, media information, archives and PDFs through external dependencies. Users can save bookmarks and run executable scripts from the configured cfiles directory. Dependencies include ncursesw, cp and mv, fzf, w3mimgdisplay or Überzug, mediainfo, atool and pdftoppm. Überzug cannot preview MP3 album art and has nonfunctional arrow-key scrolling; w3mimgdisplay previews may disappear after terminal resizing or workspace changes. Trash deletion requires a specific directory, and configuration falls back to $HOME/.config when XDG_CONFIG_HOME is unset.

Spec sheet

Product
cfiles is a terminal file manager written in C with vim-like keybindings and the ncurses library.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The README gives installation instructions for Arch Linux and macOS, and says other users can compile it with make and install with sudo make install.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
The software is licensed under the MIT License, which grants permission to use, copy, modify, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies subject to its terms.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2018Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Maker
The license file credits Manan Singh with copyright in 2018.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bookmarks and scripts
Users can store bookmarks and run executable external scripts from the configured cfiles directory.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Dependencies
The README lists ncursesw, cp and mv, fzf, w3mimgdisplay or Überzug, mediainfo, atool, and poppler's pdftoppm as dependencies.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Design goal
The project aims to provide an interface like ranger while being lightweight, fast, and minimal.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
File operations
The selection list supports copying, moving, renaming, moving files to trash, and removing selected files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux support
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com
Local storage
The clipboard and bookmarks use the cfiles directory under XDG_CONFIG_HOME, falling back to $HOME/.config when XDG_CONFIG_HOME is unset.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
macOS support
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com
Navigation
It supports h, j, k, and l navigation keys and offers top, middle, bottom, and page scrolling shortcuts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Preview limitation
Überzug cannot generate previews for MP3 album art and has nonfunctional arrow-key scrolling, while w3mimgdisplay previews may disappear when resizing the terminal or changing workspaces.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Preview pane
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com
Previews and metadata
It can show image previews, media information, archive previews, and PDF previews using listed external dependencies.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Search and shell
The f and F keys search with fzf, and S opens a shell in the current directory.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Trash requirement
The README says $HOME/.local/share/Trash/files must exist before deleting a file to trash.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

cfiles Free Free software under the MIT License Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every cfiles plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under the MIT License
  • Runs on Linux and macOS
  • Vim-like keyboard navigation
  • Image, archive and PDF previews
  • Bookmarks and external scripts

Limits

  • Requires several external dependencies
  • Überzug has preview and scrolling limitations
  • w3mimgdisplay previews may disappear
  • Trash directory must already exist

Who it suits

It suits Linux and macOS users who want keyboard-driven terminal file management with previews, shell access and scripting. Users should be comfortable installing its listed external dependencies.

Verdict

cfiles offers focused terminal navigation and file operations with optional previews and scripts. Preview behavior and setup depend on external tools and required local directories.

Where Specifiction places it

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