Clifm vs RTFM
Clifm
github.comRTFM
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Clifm | RTFM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Terminal File Managers | 8.5 (#4) | 8.2 (#13) |
| Spec score · File managers | 8.1 (#17) | 8.6 (#6) |
| Archive support | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-pane layout | No | Yes |
| File operations | Features include bookmarks, search, file selection, tags, filters, previews, bulk renaming, archiving, trash, and file opening. | It supports bulk file operations, pattern-based bulk rename, optional trash with restore, and undo for common operations. |
| Installation | The README says Linux binary packages are available for most major distributions through the OpenSUSE Build System and gives source installation instructions for Linux and BSD. | The README recommends installation with RubyGems and provides full-installation instructions for Ubuntu/Debian, Arch Linux, and macOS. |
| Integrations | The project documents fzf tab completion and a plugin that can display Git status before each prompt. | The project lists Git status, fzf fuzzy search, Navi command cheatsheets, and OpenAI among its integrations. |
| Intended users | The README presents Clifm as a command line file manager for people who prefer shell commands to a traditional terminal file manager interface. | The README describes RTFM as suited to power users wanting SSH workflows, undo, AI integration, and a broad feature set. |
| License | The project is licensed under GPL version 2 or later. | The repository identifies the license as Unlicense and describes the software as public domain. |
| Linux support | Yes | Yes |
| macOS support | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | The project lists Linux, Termux on Android, BSD variants, macOS, Solaris/Illumos, Haiku, and Cygwin/MinGW as supported environments. | The installation instructions list Ubuntu/Debian, Arch Linux derivatives, and macOS. |
| Preview pane | Yes | Yes |
| Product | Clifm is a shell-like, text-based terminal file manager that runs on the command line. | RTFM is a feature-rich terminal file manager written in pure Ruby. |
| Remote file access | Yes | Yes |
| Support | The project directs users to its FAQ, wiki documentation, issue tracker, and repository discussions for help and feedback. | The maker invites bug reports and feature requests through the GitHub issues page and code contributions through pull requests. |
Plans
In their own words
Clifm
Clifm is an open-source file manager for people who prefer managing files through shell commands. It runs on the command line without a graphical or text user interface, so its workflow is based on commands rather than a conventional file-manager layout. File tools include bookmarks, search, selection, tags, filters, previews, bulk renaming, archiving, trash, and file opening. Shell features include tab completion with fzf integration, expansions, autosuggestions, syntax highlighting, aliases, and command history. Users can configure profiles, shortcuts, themes, prompts, custom commands, and plugins; a documented plugin can show Git status before each prompt. Clifm also supports remote file access and archives, but does not have a dual-pane view. It is listed for Android, Linux, and macOS, not Windows. Linux binary packages are available for most major distributions through the OpenSUSE Build System, and source installation instructions cover Linux and BSD. The project says it collects no data and makes no outside connections. Clifm is licensed under GPL version 2 or later and is free, with no paid plans stated.