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elio

elio-fm.github.io

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.5 #5 of 29 in Terminal File Managers

What it is

elio is a free, open-source terminal file manager for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Its Places, Files, and Preview panes offer grid and list views, with keyboard and mouse navigation. It previews text, code, documents, archives, media, and other file types; supported terminals can display images inline. File operations include creating and extracting common archives, finding duplicates, and trashing, restoring, or permanently deleting items. Remote file access is supported. Shell wrappers for bash, zsh, fish, and Nushell can return the shell to the browsed directory when elio closes, and an optional zoxide integration opens a picker using recorded directory history. It works without extra preview tools; optional Poppler, FFmpeg, resvg, and 7-Zip tools add preview and archive capabilities. Installation methods are listed for several Linux distributions, macOS through Homebrew, FreeBSD, and Cargo. elio can be configured as a file chooser on Linux and FreeBSD.

Spec sheet

Purpose
elio is a terminal file manager with rich previews, inline images, bulk actions, and trash support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Archive support
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Dual-pane layout
NoRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
File chooser
elio can be configured as the file chooser on Linux and FreeBSD.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
File operations
It supports creating and extracting common archive formats, duplicate finding, and trashing, restoring, or permanently deleting files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
File previews
It previews text, code, documents, archives, media, and other file types, with inline image rendering in supported terminals.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Layout and navigation
It has Places, Files, and Preview panes, grid and list views, and supports keyboard and mouse navigation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux support
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
macOS support
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Preview dependencies
elio works out of the box, while optional Poppler, FFmpeg, resvg, and 7-Zip tools add richer previews and archive support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · elio-fm
Preview pane
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Remote file access
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Security reporting
The project asks reporters to use GitHub private vulnerability reporting and says it aims to acknowledge new reports within 7 days.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security scope
The security policy describes elio as a local terminal file manager that does not run a server, accept remote logins, or intentionally process untrusted network requests.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Shell integration
Shell wrappers for bash, zsh, fish, and Nushell can leave the shell in the directory browsed when elio exits.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support policy
Security fixes are provided for the latest released version of elio.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported systems
The install page lists packages or installation methods for Arch, Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux, macOS through Homebrew, FreeBSD, and Cargo.Read 7 Oct 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Terminal compatibility
Inline image previews are listed as supported in terminals including Kitty, Ghostty, Rio, Warp, WezTerm, iTerm2, Konsole, foot, and Windows Terminal.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows support
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · elio-fm.github.io
Zoxide integration
An optional zoxide integration opens an interactive picker based on recorded directory history.Read 7 Oct 2026 · elio-fm.github.io

Plans and prices

elio Free No paid plan or usage limits stated on the opened pages Read 7 Oct 2026 · elio-fm.github.io

Every elio plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source.
  • Previews many file types, including media and archives.
  • Supports remote file access.
  • Can trash, restore, or permanently delete files.
  • Shell wrappers support four named shells.

Limits

  • Inline images require a supported terminal.
  • Some preview and archive features require optional tools.
  • No dual-pane layout.

Who it suits

It suits terminal users who want file previews and file operations within one file manager. Linux and FreeBSD users can also configure it as a file chooser.

Verdict

elio combines broad previews with practical file operations in a terminal interface. Its optional dependencies and lack of a dual-pane layout are worth noting when choosing a file manager.

Where Specifiction places it

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