file-browser can be used to browse around the file system. When first executed file-browser creates 2 buffers, "*directory*" displaying the directory structure and "*files*" listing the files in the current directory with information on each file. file-browser displays these buffers side by side, splitting the current window horizontally if required.
The numeric argument n is used to modify the default behavior of the command, where the bits are defined as follows:
0x01
When not set file-browser only creates a single "*files*" window.
0x02
When set file-browser will attempt to identify if the current directory is being managed by a source code revision system (such as
cvs(3) or
svn(3)) and if so modifies the directory listing to include addition revision information. Note that the control system's support macros must already be loaded, this can typically be done by enabling the relevant 'support on start-up' option.
Once open the user can browse through the system using the following keys in the *directory* buffer, use esc-h for help within the buffer:
space
Selects the directory on the current line and up-dates the *files* buffer with the information on this directory. This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button on the directory name.
return
Selects the directory on the current line, if open (sub-directories displayed) then closes it or if closed it is opened. The *files* buffer is up-dated with the information on the directory. This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button on the '+' or '-' symbol just before the directory name.
C-return
As with return expect sub-directories are recursively opened or closed, note that this could take some time on large file systems. This can also be done by clicking the right mouse button on the '+' or '-' symbol just before the directory name.
tab
Move to the *files* buffer.
f10
The following keys can be used in the *files* buffer:
return
If the current line is a directory, this because the current directory, updating both the *directory* and *files* buffers. If the line is a file then it is opened using
find-file(2). This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button on the file name.
Where a file-tool open action has been defined using
file-tool-setup(3) then the selected tool or utility is run to process the file. This may be used to launch viewers for PDF, image files etc.
space
Toggles the tag state of the file on the current line, see x command. This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button anywhere before the file name, or for multiple files drag a region with the left mouse button.
X or x
Executes a
shell-command(2) on all tagged files. The user is prompted for the command line which can contain the following special tokens: %p Full file name, including path.
%f The file name without the path.
As the shell-command is executed in the directory %f is safe to use in a command such as "del %f".
D or d or delete
Delete selected files or current file/directory.
tab
Move to the *directory* buffer.
backspace
Move to the parent directory.
l
Refresh the listing from the file system.
f
Toggle the filter, enables/disables the display of back-up, object files etc.
S
Initiates a search for files, at the command prompt then enter the leading characters to search for use C-s and C-r to search forwards or backwards respectively. The s version of this command is an incremental search and is easier to use.
s
Launch an incremental search by name, at the prompt enter the search characters, use C-s and C-r to search forwards or backwards respectively.
1
Sort list by selected state.
2
3
4
Sort list by modified time.
5
6
space or +
-
*
a
u
e
Edit file, opens the file in the editor for modification.
i
Edit selected file, opens all of the selected file in the editor for modification.
v
View file, opens file for viewing only (write protected).
r
Rename file or directory, command line prompt for the new name.
c
Copy file(s) and/or directory(s), command line prompt for directory to copy file(s).
m
Move file(s) and/or directory(s), command line prompt for directory to move file(s).
n
Create a new directory (or folder), command line prompt for the name of the new directory to create.
t
file-browser-swap-buffers swaps between the *directory* and *file* windows, making the other the current window, this is usually locally bound to the tab key.
file-browser-close hides both the *directory* and *file* windows, closing the file-browser, this is usually locally bound to the f10 key. Note that this command is hidden and will not complete on the command line, but may be bound or input explicitly.
![[me]](logo/logo.png){kind=logo}
file-browser(3)