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Man Pages
CLIFM(1) Clifm Manual CLIFM(1)

clifm - The Command Line File Manager

clifm [OPTION]... [DIR]...

1. Getting help

2. Description

3. Parameters
. Positional parameters
. Options

4. Commands

5. File Filters (by filename, file type, and MIME type)

6. Keyboard shortcuts

7. Theming

8. Builtin expansions

9. Tab completion

10. File opener (third-party openers are supported)

11. Shotgun, the file previewer

12. Auto-suggestions (including a warning prompt for invalid command names)

13. Shell functions

14. Plugins

15. Autocommands

16. File tags

17. Virtual directories

18. Note on speed

19. Kangaroo frecency algorithm

20. Environment

21. Security

22. Miscellaneous notes

23. Files

24. Examples

There are several ways to access help in clifm. Once you are in the program, enter `?` or `help` for some basic usage examples, or press F1 to access this manpage, F2 to go to the COMMANDS section of this manpage, or F3 to jump to the KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS section.

To get help about some specific topic, type `help <TAB>` to get a list of available help topics. Choose the topic you want and then press Enter.

For a list of available commands along with brief descriptions, type `cmd<TAB>`.

You can also access help for internal commands using the -h or --help flags. For example, to get help about the selection function, enter `s -h` or `s --help`.

A convenient way to obtain comprehensive information about clifm commands is through the ih action, which is bound by default to the interactive help plugin (ihelp.sh). Enter `ih` to run the plugin (note that it requires fzf(1)) and select the command you wish to learn more about.

For a quick introduction, please refer to the EXAMPLES section at the end of this document.

Clifm is a Command Line Interface File Manager. Its main feature and strength lie in the fact that all input and interacion are conducted through commands typed directly into a prompt. In other words, clifm operates as a Read-Eval-Print Loop (REPL), following this basic structure: Read (user input via the command line), Evaluate/Execute the command, Print the results, Loop (repeat the process).

Unlike most terminal file managers out there, indeed, clifm replaces the traditional Text User Interface (TUI), often referred to as curses or text-menu based interface, with a straightforward command-line interface (REPL). This design allows it to function not only as a file manager, but also as a shell extension. You can search for files, copy, rename, remove them, while also performing system tasks such as updating or upgrading your system, adding cron jobs, stopping services, and launching text editors like nano, vi, or emacs.

In summary, clifm keeps the command line visible and accessible, enhancing it with functionalities specifically tailored for file management.

Show hidden files (filenames starting with '.'). Supported values are: first, last, true, and false. If no value is specified, it defaults to true.
Do not show hidden files.
Set an alternative bookmarks file.
Set an alternative configuration file.
Set an alternative configuration directory (if configuration files do not already exist, they will be created in DIR).
Do not display Entry List Numbers (ELNs) to the left of filenames (note that while ELNs are not printed, they remain accessible and can still be used as usual).
Color ELNs using the current workspace color.
List directories first.
Do not list directories first.
Enable Mas, the builtin pager for file listing.
Disable the file pager.
Print this help and exit.
List files horizontally (instead of vertically).
Ignore case distinctions when listing files.
Do not ignore case distinctions when listing files.
-k, --keybindings-file=FILE
Set an alternative keybindings file.
Print file extended metadata next to filenames (long view). The displayed fields can be customized using --prop-fields (or the PropFields option in the configuration file). Set a custom time/date format with --time-style (or the TimeStyle option in the configuration file).
When in long view, display information for the files referenced by symbolic links instead of the symbolic links themselves.
Enable the directory history map to keep in view previous, current, and next entries in the directory history list.
Automatically list files when changing the current directory with the cd command.
Do not automatically list files when changing the current directory with the cd command.
Use PROFILE as profile. If PROFILE does not exist, it will be created. The default profile is default.
Do not refresh the current list of files when pressing Enter on an empty line.
Display the splash screen at startup.
In stealth mode (also known as incognito or private mode), no trace is left on the host system. No files are read or created, and all settings revert to their default values. However, most settings can still be controlled via command line options and dedicated environment variables (see the ENVIRONMENT section below). Additionally, refer to the history command and the --no-history command line switch for more options.
Run in disk usage analyzer mode. This is equivalent to using --sort=size --long-view --full-dir-size --no-dirs-first. The recursive size of the current directory will be displayed after the list of files. You can toggle this mode in place by pressing Alt+Tab (or Ctrl+Alt+i).
Set an alternative trash directory.
Print version details and exit.
Start in workspace NUM. By default, clifm will recover the last visited directory for each workspace. You can override this behavior using positional parameters to start in workspace NUM and in the specified directory (e.g.: `clifm -w4 /etc`). Consult the POSITIONAL PARAMETERS section above for more information.
Disallow the use of external (shell) commands.
Enable the light mode to speed up clifm (see the NOTE ON SPEED section below).
Sort files by METHOD, where METHOD is one of: 0 = none, 1 = name, 2 = size, 3 = atime, 4 = btime, 5 = ctime, 6 = mtime, 7 = version, 8 = extension, 9 = inode, 10 = owner, 11 = group, 12 = blocks, 13 = links, or 14 = type. Both numbers and names are accepted. For example, you can use --sort=9 or --sort=inode.
Set the terminal bell type, where TYPE is one of: 0 = none, 1 = audible, 2 = visible (requires readline >= 8.1), and 3 = flash. Defaults to 2 (visible), and, if not available, 0 (none). Only numbers are allowed.
Do not ignore case when consulting the jump database (via the j command).
Enable case sensitive path completion.
Write the last visited directory to $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/.last for later access by the corresponding shell function at program exit. Consult the SHELL FUNCTIONS section below for more information.
Use the color scheme specified by NAME.
Color symbolic links using the color of the target file (an '@' character is prepended to the filename to mark it as a symbolic link).
Print the current working directory in the terminal window title (otherwise, only the program name is printed).
Load data files, such as plugins, color schemes, and default configuration files, from DIR (this is by default the installation directory, usually /usr/share/clifm).
Enable desktop notifications. The notification style can be optionally specified: kitty (requires the Kitty terminal or a terminal supporting the Kitty Notifications Protocol), system, or false. If STYLE is omitted, it defaults to system. Enter `help desktop-notifications` in clifm for more information.
Show disk usage of the filesystem where the current directory resides, in the format FREE/TOTAL (FREE %) TYPE DEVICE.
Display recursive directory sizes (long view only).
Fuzzy matching algorithm, where VER is either 1 (faster, but not Unicode aware), or 2 (slower, Unicode aware). Bear in mind however that the second algorithm (default) will fallback to the first one (because it is faster) whenever the query string contains only ASCII characters, to minimize the performance penalty.
Enable fuzzy matching for filename/path completions and suggestions.
Enable file previews for tab completion (fzf mode only) with the preview window hidden (toggle it by pressing Alt+p).
Use fzf(1) to display completion matches.
Use fnf(1) to display completion matches.
Enable icons.
Instead of a specific color, icons use the color of the corresponding filename. Useful when building custom color schemes, this option implies --icons, and is effective only when compiled with support for icons-in-terminal or Nerdfonts. The default build is compiled with emoji-icons support, in which case this option is ignored, as Unicode icons have their own builtin colors.
Allow the use of internal variables (e.g.: `VAR=/bin; cd $VAR`).
List files and quit. Useful in conjunction with positional parameters (e.g.: `clifm --list-and-quit /etc`). If no positional parameter is provided, the current directory is used instead.

Short for --list-and-quit.
Read file colors from the LS_COLORS environment variable (the FreeBSD LSCOLORS format is also supported). Note that clifm-specific colors (like empty directories or inaccessible files) will be disabled. Note also that colors for specific filenames, as defined in LS_COLORS, are not supported. For more information about LS_COLORS, consult dircolors(1), or refer to the ls(1) FreeBSD manpage for LSCOLORS.
Maximum number of visited directories to remember.
List only up to NUM files. Use -1 or unset to remove this limit (default). See the mf command for a more detailed description.
Set FILE as Lira´s configuration file (see the FILE OPENER section below for more information).
Use udisks2(1) instead of udevil(1) (default) for the media command.
Disable bold colors (applies to all color schemes).
By default, clifm changes directories by just entering their filenames. This option forces the use of the cd command.
By default, clifm appends a file type indicator character to filenames when running without colors (see the --no-color option below) and a directory indicator (along with a file counter) when running with colors. Classification characters are as follows:


/n: directory (n = file counter)
@: symbolic link
!: broken symbolic link
|: FIFO/pipe
=: socket
*: executable file
+: block device
-: character device
?: unknown file type

Use this option to disable file type classification. Note that this option also disables the file counter.

Do not clear the screen before listing files.
Disable colors.
Disable columned file listing (use a single column).
Do not check file capabilities when listing files (only meaningful for performance reasons).
Do not check file extensions (mostly used to colorize specific filenames) when listing files.
Disable the file counter for directories (speeding up the listing process: counting files in directories is particularly expensive).
Do not follow symbolic links when listing files (overrides both --follow-symlinks-long and --color-links-as-target).
Disable file previews for tab completion (fzf mode only).
Disable syntax highlighting (to customize highlighting colors, see the COLOR CODES section below).
Do not write commands to the history file (see also the HistIgnore option in the configuration file).
By default, clifm opens files (using the default associated application) by just entering their filenames. Use this option to force the use of the open command. Consult the mime command and the FILE OPENER section for more information about default associated applications.
Do not attempt to refresh the list of files when the window is resized.
By default, clifm saves the last visited directory for each workspace to restore it in the next session. Use this option to disable this behavior.
Disable the auto-suggestions system.
Do not display startup tips.
Do not truncate filenames (see the MaxFilenameLen option in the configuration file).
Do not use Unicode decorations.
Disable the warning prompt (used to highlight invalid command names).
Disable the welcome message.
List directories only.
Run as a standalone file opener: open FILE and exit, where FILE can be a regular file or a directory, using either standard notation (/dir/file), the file URI scheme (file:///dir/file), or a URL (www.domain or https://domain).
Use APPLICATION (e.g.: rifle or xdg-open) as file opener/launcher (instead of Lira, clifm's default opener).
List files in the pager according to MODE. Supported values are: auto (use the current listing mode - this is the default), long (list files in long view), and short (list files in short view).
Display physical file sizes (device usage) instead of logical sizes (apparent size).
Display a preview of FILE (via Shotgun) and exit. Use --shotgun-file to set an alternative configuration file. Consult the SHOTGUN section below for more information.
Print the list of selected files after the file list. The maximum number of selected files to be printed can be specified using the MaxPrintSelfiles option in the configuration file (by default, this option is set to 0 (auto), meaning it will never exceed half the terminal height).
Set fields to be displayed in long view. For information on how to construct this format string consult the PropFields option in the configuration file.
Time/date style used by the p/pp command and the --stat/--stat-full command line switches. Available styles: default, iso, long-iso, full-iso, full-iso-nano, and +FORMAT (FORMAT is interpreted like in strftime(3). Nano-second precision is available via the %N modifier, like in date(1)).
Run in read-only mode (internal commands able to modify the filesystem are disabled). Disabled commands are: ac, ad, bb, bl/bleach, br/bulk, c, dup, l, le, m, md, n/new, oc, paste, pc, r, rr, t/trash, tag, te, u/untrash, and vv, plus the shell commands cp, rm, mv, ln, mkdir, rmdir, link, and unlink.
Report the current directory to the underlying terminal (using the OSC-7 escape sequence, not supported by all terminals).
Set readline to vi editing mode (defaults to emacs editing mode).
Sanitize commands passed to the OS to mitigate command injection attacks (--secure-env is implied). Consult the SECURITY section below for more information.
Run clifm in a secure environment (regular mode). Consult the SECURITY section below.
Run clifm in a secure environment (full mode). Consult the SECURITY section below.
Set FILE as the selections file.
By default, each user profile has a private Selection Box. Use this option to make the Selection Box common to all user profiles.
Set FILE as the shotgun configuration file. See the SHOTGUN section below for more information.

Display file sizes in SI units (powers of 1000) instead of IEC units (powers of 1024).
Use smenu(1) to display completion matches.
Sort files in reverse order (e.g.: z-a instead of a-z).
Run the p command on FILE(s) and exit. This must be the last option on the command line. Use --ptime-style to set a custom date/time format.
Same as --stat, but it runs the pp command (instead of p) on FILE(s).
Use the standard mode (readline´s builtin) for tab completion.
Time/date style used in long view. Available styles: default, relative, iso, long-iso, full-iso, +FORMAT (FORMAT is interpreted like in strftime(3)).
Make the r command move files to the trash instead of removing them.
By default, Unicode decorations are used if Unicode support is detected for the running terminal. If no support is detected, you can use this option to force the use of Unicode decorations.
Use PATH as clifm´s virtual directory.
Print filenames in virtual directories as absolute paths instead of just basenames.
Run in VT100 compatibility mode (use this option if running on a really ancient terminal emulator).

Options precedence order: 1) command line flags; 2) configuration file; 3) default values.

Help for all commands listed here can be accessed via the -h or --help options. For example, use `p --help` to get help about the properties function.

Note 1: ELN = Entry List Number. For example, in the line "12 chocolatebox" (when listing files), 12 is the ELN corresponding to the file named "chocolatebox". The slash followed by a number (/xx) after directories and symbolic links to directories (the file counter) indicates the number of files in the corresponding directory, excluding self and parent directories ("." and ".." respectively).

Note 2: In case of ELN-filename conflict, the backslash can be used to prevent ELN expansion. For example, if there are at least two files and one of them is named 2, clifm cannot determine in advance if the command refers to the ELN 2 or the filename 2. To specify the ELN, simply write the ELN number (e.g. `s 2`). To refer to the filename, escape it using the backlash character: `s \2`.

Note 3: Clifm supports fused parameters for internal commands taking an ELN or range of ELNs as parameters. Much like short options for command line programs, you can omit the space between internal commands and the corresponding ELN passed as argument. For example, you can write CMDELN instead of CMD ELN. Thus, `o12` or `s1-5` can be used instead of `o 12` and `s 1-5, respectively. Be aware that omitting the space character will disable tab completion and suggestions for ELNs. If there is a file named o12 (more generally, CMDELN), and if you want to refer to this file instead of a clifm command, escape the filename to prevent the split: `\o12`.

If the autocd and/or auto-open functions are enabled (default), open FILE or change directory to DIR. In other words, `FILE` amounts to `open FILE` (or `o FILE`), and `DIR` to `cd DIR`. ELNs, of course, are allowed. For example: `12`.
/PATTERN [-FILETYPE] [-x] [DIR]
This is the quick search function. Type `/` followed by a glob or (extended) regular expression, and clifm will list all matches in the current directory. For example, both `/*.pdf` and `/.pdf$` expressions will list all PDF files in the current directory, the former using wildcards, and the second a regular expression.

You can list previously used search patterns using the TAB key: `/*<TAB>`.

Note 1: By default, the search function attempts to resolve a pattern first as glob, and then, if no matches are found, as a regular expression. This behavior can be customizad in the configuration file, using the SearchStrategy option.

Note 2: If no further parameter is provided, but only a glob pattern (wildcards), you can expand the pattern into the corresponding matches by hitting the TAB key. For example, to list all C files in the current directory: `/*.c<TAB>`.

Note 3: Expressions containing no pattern metacharacter are automatically transformed into a glob/regular expression (depending on the value of the SearchStrategy option). For example, `/test` becomes `*test*` or `/.*test.*`.

1. Case sensitivity

By default, regular expressions are case insensitive (glob expressions, by contrast, are always case sensitive). However, you can enable case sensitive search by setting the CaseSensitiveSearch option to true in the configuration file.

2. Destination directory

To search for files in any directory other than the current directory, specify the directory name as a further parameter (DIR). For example, enter `/^A 7` to search for all files starting with ´A´ in the directory corresponding to the ELN 7.

3. File type filter

The result of the search can be further filtered by specifying a filter type: -b, -c, -d, -f, -l, -p, -s, -O, and -P (block device, character device, directory, regular file, symbolic link, FIFO/pipe, socket, door (Solaris), and port (Solaris) respectively. For example, `/[.-].*d$ -d Documents/` will list all directories containing a dot or a dash and ending with ´d´ in the directory named Documents.

4. Invert matching

Prepend the exclamation mark (!) to invert the meaning of a given search pattern. For example: `!.*s$ -d /etc` will match all directories in /etc not ending with ´s´, just as `!D*` will match all files in the current directory not starting with ´D´.

5. Recursive search

To perform a recursive search use the -x parameter, and, optionally, a search path (DIR) (file type filter is not allowed). The search will be performed using find(1) as follows: find DIR MODE PATTERN. If no search path is provided, the search is executed starting in the current directory. Otherwise, the search starts in DIR. MODE is one of:


-name: if SearchStrategy is not regex-only and CaseSensitiveSearch is set to true


-iname: if SearchStrategy is not regex-only and CaseSensitiveSearch is set to false


-regex: if SearchStrategy is regex-only and CaseSensitiveSearch is set to true


-iregex: if SearchStrategy is regex-only and CaseSensitiveSearch is set to false

;[CMD], :[CMD]
If CMD is not specified, run the system shell in the current directory. If CMD is specified, skip all clifm expansions (see the BUILT-IN EXPANSIONS section below) and run the input string (CMD) as is via the default system shell (consult the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES section for information on how shell commands are executed).
Archive/compress and dearchive/decompress one or multiple files and/or directories.

The archiver function brings two modes: ac, to generate archives or compressed files, and ad, to decompress or dearchive files, either just listing, extracting, recompressing, or mounting their content. In this latter case, the mountpoint used automatically is $HOME/.config/clifm/PROFILE/mounts/ARCHIVE_NAME.

Example: `ac sel`, `ac 4-25 myfile`, or `ad *.tar.gz`.

Multiple archive/compression formats are supported, including Zstandard. Note that when it comes to ISO 9660 files only a single file is supported.

The archive mount function for non ISO files depends on archivemount, while the remaining functions depend on atool and other third-party utilities for achieve formats support, for example, p7zip. p7zip is also used to manage most decompressing options for ISO 9660 files, except for mount, in which case mount(8) is used. Creation of ISO files is done via genisoimage(1). For more information consult atool(1), archivemount(1), zstd(1), and 7z(1).

Toggle the autocd function. If set to on, `DIR` amounts to `cd DIR`.
To list available actions (or plugins) use the list subcommand. Note that, since list is the default action, it can be omitted.

Use the edit subcommand to add, remove or modify custom actions (using APP if specified or the default associated application for text files otherwise).

The aim of this function is to allow the user to easily add custom commands and functions to clifm. In other words, the actions function is a plugins capability.

This is the general procedure: a) edit the actions file (by running `actions edit`) and bind a custom action name to an executable file (written in any language you want, be it a shell or Python script, a C program or whatever you like). For example, "myaction=myscript.sh". b) Drop the corresponding script (in our example, myscript.sh) into the plugins directory, usually, ~/.config/clifm/plugins (see the FILES section below). 3) Call the script using the custom action name defined before as if it were any other command: run `myaction`, and myscript.sh will be executed.

Note that all arguments passed to the action command (myaction) will be passed to the script or program as well (myscript.sh), which is executed via the system shell (consult the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES section for information on how shell commands are executed).

To assist the user when writing plugins, clifm's state information is exported via environment variables while running plugins. For example, CLIFM_LONG_VIEW is set to 1 if currently running in long view (see the ENVIRONMENT section for the complete list of exported values).

The plugins bundled with clifm (take a look at the plugins directory) can be used as a starting point to create new plugins.

With no argument (or with ls,list parameters), it prints the list of available aliases. To get the description of a specific alias enter `alias` followed by the alias name. To write a new alias simply enter edit (or press F10) to open the configuration file and add a line like this: "alias name=´command args...´" or "alias name=´directory´".

To import aliases from a file, provided it contains aliases in the specified form (i.e. the POSIX syntax for the alias shell command), use the import parameter. Aliases conflicting with some of the internal commands will not be imported.

However, a neat usage for the alias function is not so much to bind short keys to commands, but to files and directories visited regularly. In this way, it is possible to bind as many files or directories, no matter how deep they are in the filesystem, to very short strings, even single characters. For example, "alias w=´/some/file/deep/in/the/filesystem´". Now, no matter where you are, you can enter `w`, provided autocd and/or auto-open function is enabled, to access the file or directory you want. Theoretically at least, this procedure can be repeated until the system memory is exhausted.

To create multiple aliases for files at once, this is the recommended procedure: 1) Select all files you want to alias with the sel command: `s file1 file2 file3 ...`. 2) Export the selected files into a temporary file running `exp sel`; 3) Edit this file to contain only valid alias lines:


alias a1=´file1´
alias b1=´file2´
alias c1=´file3´

Note: Make sure alias names do not conflict with other commands, either internal or external. To bypass the conflicts check, performed automatically by the `alias import` command, you can edit the aliases file manually (F10).

4) Finally, import this file with the alias command: `alias import tmp_file`. Now you can access any of these files by entering just a few characters: `a1`, `b1`, and `c1`.

Set a temporary autocommand for the current directory.

Unlike permanent autocommands, defined in the configuration file via the autocmd keyword (see the AUTOCOMMANDS section below), options set via the auto command are temporary, i.e., valid only for the current directory and the current session.

Options set via this command take precedence over both permament autocommands and regular options (set either via the command line or the configuration file).

Examples

List available autocommands
auto list

List files in the current directory in long view
auto lv=1

List only PDF files, set the color scheme to nord, and sort files by size
auto ft=.*.pdf$,cs=nord,st=size

The same list of options can be specified sequentially (i.e., previous options are preserved)
auto ft=.*.pdf$
auto cs=nord
auto st=size

Unset the files filter and the color scheme, and change sort to blocks
auto ft=,cs=,st=blocks

Unset all temporary autocommands previously set for the current directory
auto unset

Reload the current directory ignoring all autocommands (including permanent autocommands)
auto none

For the list of available option codes consult the AUTOCOMMANDS section or enter `help autocommands`.

Toggle the auto-open function. If set to on, `FILE` amounts to `open FILE`.
Unlike `cd ..`, which changes to the parent directory of the current directory, this command (with no argument) changes to the previously visited directory. You can also use Alt+j or Shift-Left.

Clifm keeps a record of all visited directories (to prevent a directory from being added to the directory history list use the DirhistIgnore option in the main configuration file). You can see this list by typing `b hist` or `b h`, and you can access any element in this list by simply passing the corresponding ELN in this list (preceded by an exclamation mark) to the back command. Example:
:) > ~ $ bh
1 /home/user
2 /etc
3 /proc
:) > ~ $ b !3
:) > /proc $

Note: The highlighted line (by default printed in bold cyan) indicates the current position of the back function in the directory history list.

Finally, you can also clear this history list by entering `b clear`.

The best way of navigating the directory history list, however, is using the directory jumper function (invoked by the j command). You can also take a look at the dh command.

Use the f (or forth) command to move forward, instead of backward, in the directory history list.

Bleach is a builtin filenames sanitizer (based on detox [https://github.com/dharple/detox]), whose aim is to rename filenames using only ASCII characters.

Bleach sanitizes filenames either by removing extended-ASCII/Unicode characters without an ASCII alternative/similar character, or by translating these characters into an alternative ASCII character based on familiarity/similarity.

These following simple rules are used to compose sanitized filenames:
- NUL (\0) and slash (/) characters are completely disallowed
- Only characters from the Portable Filename Characters Set (a-zA-Z0-9._-) are allowed
- { [ ( ) ] } are replaced by a dash (-). Everything else is replaced by an underscore (_)
- Unicode characters are translated, whenever possible, into an ASCII replacement. Otherwise, they are just ignored. For example, an upper case A with diacritic (accent, umlaut, diaresis, and so on) will be replaced by an ASCII A, but the smiley face emoji will be simply ignored. A few special signs will be translated into text, for instance, the pound sign will be replaced by "_pound_" and the Euro symbol by "EUR". Translations are made via a translation table (see the cleaner_table.h in the source code).
- Filenames never start with a dash (-)
- Files named . and .. are not allowed
- Append .bleach to single character filenames
- Do not let a replacement filename start with a dot (hidden) if the original does not
- Max filename length is NAME_MAX (usually 255)

Modified filenames will be listed on the screen asking the user for confirmation, allowing besides to edit (by pressing 'e') the list of modified filenames via a text editor.

If the replacement filename already exists, a dash and a number (starting from 1) will be appended. E.g.: file-3.

bd is the backdir function: it takes you back to the parent directory matching NAME.

With no arguments, bd lists all parent directories relative to the current directory, allowing the user to select an entry. Otherwise, it checks the absolute current directory against the provided query string (NAME): if only one match is found, it automatically changes to this directory; if multiple matches are found, the list of matches is presented to the user in a selection menu. If NAME is a directory name, bd just changes to this directory, be it a parent of the current directory or not.

Tab completion and suggestions are available for this function.

Example:

Provided the current directory is /home/user/git/repositories/lambda, entering `bd git` will take you immediately to /home/user/git.

Note that there is no need to type the entire directory name; if the query is unambiguous, only a few characters, and even just one, suffices to match the appropriate directory. In our example, `bd g` is enough to take you to /home/user/git, just as `bd h` will take you to /home.

The query string can match any part of a directory name: `bd er`, for instance, will take you to /home/user, since it is an unambiguous query.

Create symbolic links (in the current directory) for each specified file. For example, to create symbolic links in the directory dir for all PNG files in the current directory, issue these commands: `s *.png`, `cd dir`, and then `bl sel`.
Bookmarks can be managed either from the bookmark manager screen or from the command line.

1. The bookmark manager screen

To access the bookmark manager screen enter bm. Here you can cd to the desired bookmark by entering either ELN or filename (regular files can be bookmarked as well). In this screen you can also add, remove, or edit your bookmarks by entering 'e' to edit the bookmarks file (which is simply a list of lines with this format: NAME:PATH. E.g.: "docs:/home/user/documents"). Make your changes, save, and exit.

2. The command line

Command Description
bm add /media/mount mnt Bookmark the /media/mount directory as "mnt"
bm mnt Change to/open the bookmark named "mnt"
bm del mnt Delete the bookmark named "mnt"
bm edit Edit your bookmarks

A handy use for the bookmarks function is to create bookmarks using short names, which will be later easily accessible via tab completion.

The b: prefix

The b: prefix is used as a way to quickly access/operate on bookmarks. A few examples:

Command Description
b:<TAB> List available bookmarks
b:net Change to the bookmark named "net" (1)
p b:bm1 b:bm2 Print file properties of the bookmarks named "bm1" and "bm2"
s b: Select all bookmarks at once


(1) If your are not sure about where a bookmark points to, type `b:NAME<TAB>`.

Bulk rename FILE(s).

Each filename will be copied to a temporary file, which will be opened via EDITOR (default associated application for plain text files if omitted), letting the user modify it. Once the file has been modified and saved, the modified names are printed on the screen and the user is asked for confirmation.

This builtin bulk rename function will not deal with deletions, replacements, filename conflicts and the like. For a smarter alternative use qmv(1).

Short for the following shell commands respectively: `cp -iRp`, `mv -i`, `mkdir -p`, and `rm` (for files) or `rm -r` (for directories).

By default, the c, m, and r commands ask for confirmation before operations. Since this might sometimes be quite intrusive (specially when operating on large number of files), it is possible to turn interactivity off in two different ways:


a) For the current command only: via the -f, --force switch. For example: `c -f sel`, `m -f sel`, or `r -f *`.


b) Permanently. Use the cpCmd, mvCmd, and rmForce options in the configuration file to permanently set any of these commands to non-interactive mode.

To use these commands without any of these options, or with any other option you want, use the appropriate shell command, for instance, cp instead of c. Of course, you can also create aliases to use your preferred commands, for example, "c=´cp -adp´". Consult the alias command above for more information.

The l command allows the use of the e, edit option to modify the destination of a symbolic link. For example: `l edit 12` (or `le 12`) to relink the symbolic link corresponding to the file whose ELN is 12.

When using the sel keyword and no destination is provided, c and m will copy/move selected files to the current directory.

Whenever sel is not used, but just a source filename (and no destination is provided), the m command behaves much like the imv(1) shell command (from the ´renameutils´ package), providing an interactive renaming function: it prompts the user to enter a new name using the source filename as base, so that it does not need to be typed twice. For this alternative prompt, only tab completion for filenames is available.

Clifm supports advcp(1), wcp, and rsync(1) to copy files (they include a progress bar). To use them instead of cp(1) set the corresponding option (cpCmd) in the configuration file. If advcp is selected, the command used is `advcp -giRp` (or `advcp -gRp`, for non-interactive mode). If rsync, the command is `rsync -avP`. wcp takes no argument.

advmv(1) is also supported to move files (to add a progress bar to the move command). Use the mvCmd option in the configuration file to choose this alternative implementation of mv. In this case, the command used is `advmv -gi` (or advmv -g` for non-interactive mode).

Change the current working directory.

Directory check order:
1. If no argument is provided, change to the home directory ($HOME, or, if not set, the sixth field of the entry corresponding to the current user in /etc/passwd)
2. If the argument is an absolute path (begins with a slash character), or the first component is dot (.) or dot-dot (..), convert to canonical form (via realpath(3)) and, if a valid directory, change to this directory.
3. Check the CDPATH environment variable and append /DIR to each of the paths specified here. If the result of the concatenation is a valid directory, change to it.
4. Check directories in the current working directory. If a matching directory is found, change to it.

You can use either ELNs or a string to indicate the directory you want. E.g.: `cd 12` or `cd ~/media`. If autocd is enabled (default), `cd 12` and `cd ~/media` can be written as `12` and `~/media` respectively as well.

Unlike the shell cd command, clifm's builtin cd command not only changes the current directory, but also lists its content (provided the option AutoLs is enabled, which is the default) according to a comprehensive list of color codes. By default, the output of cd is much like this shell command: `cd DIR && ls --color=auto --group-directories-first`.

Automatic file listing can be disabled by either setting AutoLs to false in the configuration file or running clifm with the -O or --no-autols option.

Toggle columned file listing.
Show this list of commands.

An alternative way of getting information about clifm commands is via the interactive help plugin (depends on fzf), by default bound to the ih action name.


Preview the current color scheme (same as `cs preview`).
Manage the main configuration file.

To edit the configuration file use the edit subcommand. If an application is specified (`config edit APP`), APP will be used to open the file (otherwise, the default associated program will be used). Edit settings to your liking, save, and quit the editor (changes are automatically applied). Note that, since edit is the default action, it can be omitted. Enter just `config` to open the configuration file, or `config APP` to open it using APP.

Use the reload subcommand to reload the main configuration file and update settings accordingly.

Use the reset subcommand to generate a fresh configuration file and create a backup copy of the old one (named clifmrc.YYYYMMDD@HH:MM:SS).

The dump subcommand prints the list of settings (as defined in the main configuration file) with their current value. Those differing from the default values are highlighted, and the default value for the corresponding option is displayed in brackets.

With no arguments, list available color schemes (use `cs name` to print the current color scheme name).

To get a preview of the current color scheme use the preview subcommand: `cs preview`.

Use the check-ext subcommand to check for file extension conflicts: `cs check-ext`.

Use the edit subcommand to open/edit the configuration file of the current color scheme (open with APP if specified, or with the default associated application otherwise).

To switch color schemes, specify the color scheme name: `cs NAME`. (Use the TAB key to list available color schemes: `cs <TAB>`).

Duplicate files passed as parameters, either directories or regular files. The user will be asked for a destination directory. Duplicated filenames are generated by appending ".copy" to the basename of each source file. For example: `d /my/file` will copy /my/file to the directory selected by the user as file.copy. If file.copy already exists, an extra suffix will be added as follows: file.copy-N, where N is a positive integer (starting at 1).

If rsync(1) is found, it will be used as follows: `rsync -aczvAXHS --progress`. Else, cp(1) will be used: `cp -a`.

With no parameters, it prints the directory history list. To filter this list just pass a query string: only entries matching this query will be displayed. In both cases, tab completion is available. For example: `dh down<TAB>` will list only those entries matching down (fuzzily, if fuzzy-matching is enabled).

To access a specific entry, you can pass the entry number preceded by an exclamation mark. For example, if you want the entry number 12, enter `dh !12` to change to the corresponding directory.

Finally, if an absolute path is passed as first parameter, dh works just as the cd command.

Note: Take a look at the j command as well. Both commands deal with the list of visited directories, but in slightly different ways: while dh deals with the list of the last MaxDirhist entries (see the configuration file), the j command deals with the ranked list of visited directories.

Deselect one or more files.

If no parameter is passed, the user is prompted to either mark selected files to be deselected or to edit the selections file (entering ´e´) via a text editor to manually deselect files.

Use *, a or all to deselect all selected entries at once. E.g.: `ds *`.

You can also pass the filename(s) (or ELNs) to be deselected as a parameter. For example: `ds myfile 24`.

Tab completion is available for this command: `ds <TAB>` will list all currently selected files.

With no argument, export the list of files in the current directory to a temporary file. Otherwise, export only those specified as further arguments: they can be directories, filenames, ELNs or some search expression like "*.c".
Toggle the ability to execute external commands.
This command works just like the back command, but it goes forward, instead of backward, in the history record.

Run `f` to change to the next visited directory (you can also just press Alt+k or Shift+Right).

Of course, you can use `f hist`, `f h`, and `f !ELN` (consult the back command for details).

By default, clifm prints the number of files contained by listed directories next to directory names. However, since this is an expensive feature, it might be desirable (for example, when listing files on a remote machine) to disable this feature. Use the off subcommand to disable it. To permanently disable it, use the FileCounter option in the configuration file.
Toggle list directories first.
Filter the current list of files, either by filename (via a regular expression) or file type (via a file type character).

With no argument, ft prints the current filter. To remove the current filter use the unset option. To set a new filter enter `ft` followed by a filter expression (use the exclamation mark to reverse the meaning of a filter). Examples:

Exclude hidden files:
ft !^.

List only files ending with .pdf:
ft .*\.pdf$

List only symbolic links:
ft =l

Exclude socket files:
ft !=s

The list of file type characters is included in the FILE FILTERS section below.

The filter will be lost at program exit. To permanently set a filter use the Filter option (in the configuration file) or the CLIFM_FILTER environment variable (consult the ENVIRONMENT and the FILE FILTERS sections below).

Toggle recursive directory sizes (long view only).
Turn hidden files on/off (use first/last to sort hidden files before/after non-hidden files respectively).
With no arguments, it prints the commands history list (use show-time to print timestamps as well). If clear is passed as argument, it will delete all entries in the history file. Use edit to open the history file and modify it as required (the file will be opened with APP, if specified, or with the default associated application otherwise). -N tells the history command to list only the last 'N' commands in the history list. Finally, you can disable history (subsequent entries will not be written into the history file) via `history off` (you can also use the HistIgnore option in the configuration file to prevent specific command lines from being added to the history list).

You can use the exclamation mark (!) to perform some history commands:
!<TAB>: List history entries
!!: Execute the last command.
!n: Execute the command number ´n´ in the history list.
!-n: Execute the ´last - n´ command in the history list.
!STRING: Execute the command starting with STRING. Tab completion is available in this case: !STRING<TAB>.

Toggle icons.

Note: Depending on how the terminal renders icons, the apparent space between icons and filenames may not be the most appropriate. This space can be adjusted using the IconsGap option in the configuration file (valid values: 0, 1, 2).

j is the fastest way of using Kangaroo, a directory jumper function used to quickly navigate through the jump database (i.e. a database of visited directories).

With no argument, j just lists the entries in the jump database (1)(2), printing: a) order number of the corresponding entry, b) total sum of visits, c) days since the first visit, d) hours since the last visit, e) the rank value, and f) the directory name itself. An asterisk next to the rank value means that the corresponding directory will not be removed from the database, despite its rank, either because it has been visited in the last 24 hours, or because it is bookmarked, pinned, or currently active in some workspace.

(1) To prevent a directory from being added to the jump database use the DirhistIgnore option in the main configuration file.

(2) To prevent a directory from being removed from the jump database, edit the database (`j edit`) and prepend a plus sign (+) to the corresponding line.

Otherwise, if a query string is provided as parameter, B searches for this string in the database and cd to the best ranked matching entry. Example: `j Down` will probably take you to /home/user/Downloads, provided this directory has been already visited and is the best ranked match in the database. For a more detailed description of the matching algorithm see the KANGAROO FRECENCY ALGORITHM section below.

Multiple query strings can be passed to the function. For example, `j et mo` will first check for "et" in the jump database and then will further filter the search using the second parameter: "mo". It will most probably take you (again, provided the directory has been already visited and is the best ranked match) to /etc/modprobe.d directory. Bear in mind that if STR is an actual directory, jump will just cd to it without performing any query.

The backslash (\) and the slash (/) can be used to instruct Kangaroo to search for the string query only in the first or last path segment of each entry in the database respectively. Let´s suppose we have two entries matching src in the database: /media/src/images and /home/user/Downloads/clifm/src. If the first entry is better ranked than the second, `j src` will match this first entry. However, if what we really want is the second entry, appending a slash to the query string instructs Kangaroo to only match entries having src in the last path segment, here /home/user/Downloads/clifm/src.

Since it is not always obvious or easy to know where exactly a query string will take you, clifm (if the suggestions system is enabled) will print, at the right of the cursor, the path matched by Kangaroo. If that is the actually intended path, press the Right arrow key to accept the suggestion. Otherwise, it will be ignored. You can also use tab completion to print the list of matches for the current query string. For example: `j - c<TAB>` to list all entries in the directory history list containing a dash (-) and a ´c´.

The j command accepts four modifiers: e, p, c, and l, the first standing for "edit", the second for "parent", the third for "child", and the last one for "list". Thus, `je` (or `j --edit`) will open the jump database to be edited as required; `jc` will search for files querying only child directories relative to the current working directory, while `jp` will do the same, but for parent directories. Finally, `jl` just prints the matches for the given query string(s), but without changing the current directory. Examples:

Command Description
jp foo Change to the best ranked parent directory containing the string "foo".
jc bar test Change to the best ranked child directory containing the string "bar" and "test"
jl foo Print all entries in the database containing the word "foo"

Use the --purge option to shrink the database. Without further parameters, --purge removes all non-existent (un-stat´able) directories from the database. If a numeric parameter is passed, by contrast, all entries ranked below this number will be removed from the database. For example, `j --purge 100` will remove all entries ranked below 100.

You can also manually edit the database file using the `je` (or `j --edit`) command: edit whatever needs to be edited, save changes, and close the editor. This is useful, for example, to remove a specific entry/directory from the database (however, bear in mind that if the directory is in the directory history, it will not be removed from the jump database).

To mark an entry as permanent (prevent it from being removed from the database), follow any of these procedures:
a. Bookmark it.
b. Edit the jump database (`je` or `j --edit`) and prepend a plus sign (+) to the corresponding entry.

An alternative way of navigating the jump database is using the jumper plugin (located in the plugins directory and bound by default to the ++ action name), which uses fzf to enable fuzzy searches. Enter `++` to perform a fuzzy search over the jump database.

Take a look at the dh command as well.


If running in long view, toggle follow-links (Alt++ is also available). See the -L,--follow-symlinks-long command line switch.

Toggle max-filename-len (Ctrl+Alt+l is also available)
With no argument (or if the argument is list), prints the current keybindings and their associated functions.

To change a keybinding use the bind subcommand.

Type `kb bind <TAB>` to get the list of bindable functions.

Enter `kb bind FUNCTION` to set a new keybinding for FUNCTION. For example, to bind the function previous-dir to a new key, enter `kb bind previous-dir`. You'll see a little prompt: press the key combination you want to associate to the specified function and then press Enter (while in this prompt, press Ctrl+d to abort or Ctrl+c to clear the current line).

To manually edit your keybindings use the edit option (the keybindings file will be opened with APP, if specified, or with the default associated application otherwise).

If you somehow messed up your keybindings, you can check for keybinding conflicts with the conflict option, or use the reset option to create a fresh keybindings file with the default values.

To unbind a function run `kb edit` and comment out the corresponding entry. Note that some functions may have several entries, associating them to multiple keybindings: comment them out all if required.

To list readline keybindings (defined in ~/.config/clifm/readline.clifm), use the readline option. The syntax is the same as the one used by readline's .inputrc file (consult http://tiswww.case.edu/php/chet/readline/readline.html#SEC9 for more information.)


Create (l) or edit (le) symbolic links.

The syntax for the l command is: l TARGET [LINK_NAME]. Note that if LINK_NAME is omitted, the symbolic link is created as TARGET_BASENAME.link in the current directory.

By default, the link target is created literally (like `ln -s` would). The link creation mode can be set using the LinkCreationMode option in the configuration file. Available modes are: absolute, literal, and relative (like `ln -rs` would).

To edit the target of a symbolic link use the le command followed by the desired link name. The user will be prompted to enter a new link target, using the current target as template.

Toggle the long view.
Toggle the light mode. This option, aimed at making file listing faster than the default mode, is especially useful for really old hardware or when working on remote machines (for more information see the NOTE ON SPEED section below).
Enable, disable, clear, list or check the status of the program logs, either message (errors and warnings) or command logs. Example: `log cmd on`, to enable command logs, or `log msg clear`, to clear/remove message logs.

Consult the FILES section below for information about how logs are written to the logs file.

Note: This command is Linux-specific

List available storage devices and mount/unmount the selected one using either udevil or udisks2 (at least one of these must be installed. udevil will be preferred over udisks2). If the device is unmounted, it will be automatically mounted, and if mounted, it will be automatically unmounted.

Though mountpoints are determined by the mounting application itself (udevil or udisks2), clifm will automatically cd to the corresponding mountpoint whenever the mount operation was successful.

When unmounting, and if the current directory is inside the mountpoint, clifm will attempt to cd to the previous visited directory, and, if none, to the home directory, before unmounting the device.

To get information about a device, enter `iELN`, for example, `i12`, provided ´12´ is the ELN of the device you want.

List only up to NUM files (valid range: >= 0). Use unset to list all files (default). An indicator (listed_files/total_files) will be printed below the list of files whenever some file is excluded from the current list (e.g. 20/310). Note, however, that though some files are excluded, all of them are loaded anyway, so that you can still perform any valid operation on them. For example, even if only 10 files are listed, you can still search for all symbolic links in the corresponding directory using the appropriate command: `/* -l`.
This is Lira, clifm's file opener.

Use the open subcommand to open a file with the default associated application. Note that, since open is the default action, it can be omitted. For example: `mm file.pdf`. The same can be achieved more easily using the open command: `open file.pdf` (or using the short command, `o file.pdf`). Or, even shorter, just `file.pdf`.

The info option prints MIME information about FILE: its MIME type, and, if any, the application (for both opening and previewing) associated with this filename or with the file's MIME type. If the application is associated with the file's name, [FILENAME] is printed after the associated application, otherwise, if associated with the file's MIME type, [MIME] is printed.

The edit option allows you to edit and customize the MIME list file. So, if a file has no default associated application, first get its MIME info or its file extension (running `mm info FILE`), and then add a value for it to the MIME list file using the edit option (`mm edit` or F6). Check the FILE OPENER section below for information about the mimelist file syntax.

Finally, via the import option clifm will try to import MIME associations from the system looking for mimeapps.list files in those paths specified by the Freedesktop specification (see https://specifications.freedesktop.org/mime-apps-spec/mime-apps-spec-latest.html). If at least one MIME association is successfully imported, it will be stored as mimelist.clifm.XXXXXX (where XXXXXX is a random six digits alphanumerical string). You can add these new associations to your mimelist file using the `mime edit` command.

List available mountpoints and change the current working directory to the selected mountpoint.
With no arguments, prints the list of messages in the current session. The clear option tells clifm to empty the messages list.
Create new regular files and/or directories.

If a filename ends with a slash (/), it will be taken as a directory name. Else, it will be created as a regular file. E.g.: `n myfile mydir/`, to create a file named myfile and a directory named mydir. If no filename is provided, the user will be prompted to enter one.

Automatic templates

New regular files will be created from a template file if:


1. The file to be created has a filename extension (e.g., file.html).
2. A file named like this extension, here html, exists in the templates directory (1).

If both conditions are met, running `n file.html` will create a new file named file.html which is a copy of the html file in the templates directory.

Note that template names are not limited to actual file extensions: you can name your templates whatever you like (with any content you want) provided new files are created using the template name as extension. E.g.: `n file.my_super_cool_template`.

Explicit templates

If a filename is followed by the expression @TEMPLATE, where TEMPLATE is any regular file found in the templates directory(1), the file will be created as a copy of the corresponding file template. E.g., `n file.sh@my_script.sh`.

Tab completion is available for explicit templates: `n file@<TAB>`.

(1) The templates directory is $CLIFM_TEMPLATES_DIR, $XDG_TEMPLATES_DIR, or ~/Templates, in this precedence order.

Filename validation is performed over names before creation. In case of an unsafe name, the user is warned and asked for confirmation.

A name (namely, any component of a path) is considered unsafe if:
1. Starts with a dash (-): command option flags collision
2. Is a reserved keyword/expression (internal): fastback (...), ELN/range (12, 1-45), and MIME/file type expansion (@query, =x)
3. Is a reserved system/shell keyword (´~´, ´.´ ,´..´)
4. Contains embedded control characters (0x00-0x1f in the ASCII table)
5. Contains embedded shell meta-characters (*?:[]"<>|(){}&'!\;$)
6. It is too long (larger than NAME_MAX, usually 255 bytes)

For more information about unsafe filenames consult https://dwheeler.com/essays/fixing-unix-linux-filenames.html.

1. The configuration file

The net command manages connections to remote systems via a simple samba-like configuration file ($HOME/.config/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/nets.clifm). Here you can specify multiple remotes and options for each of these remotes. Syntax example for this file:


[remote_name]
Comment=A nice descriptive comment
Mountpoint=/path/to/mountpoint
MountCmd=sudo mount.cifs //192.168.0.12/share %m -o OPTIONS
UnmountCmd=sudo umount %m
AutoUnmount=true (Auto-unmount this remote at exit)
AutoMount=false (Auto-mount this remote at startup)

Note: %m can be used as a placeholder for Mountpoint. %m will be replaced by the value of Mountpoint.

1.a. Mounting remote filesystems

A Samba share:
[samba_share]
Comment=My samba share
Mountpoint="~/.config/clifm/mounts/smb_share"
MountCmd=sudo mount.cifs //192.168.0.26/samba_share %m -o mapchars,credentials=/etc/samba/credentials/samba_share
UnmountCmd=sudo umount %m
AutoUnmount=false
AutoMount=false

A SSH filesystem (sshfs):
[ssh_share]
Comment=My ssh share
Mountpoint="/media/ssh"
MountCmd=sshfs user@192.168.0.26: %m -C -p 22
UnmountCmd=fusermount3 -u %m
AutoUnmount=true
AutoMount=false

1.b. Mounting local filesystems

Though originally intended to manage remote filesystems, net can also manage local filesystems. Just provide the appropriate mount and unmount commands. Since the device name assigned by the kernel might change across reboots (specially when it comes to removable drives), it is recommended to mount using the device´s UUID (Universal Unique Identifier) instead of the drive name. For example:


MountCmd=sudo mount -U c98d91g4-6781... %m

Here´s an example of how to set up net to mount USB devices, one with a FAT filesystem, and another with an ISO9660 filesystem:


[Sandisk USB]
Comment=Sandisk USB drive
Mountpoint="/media/usb"
MountCmd=sudo mount -o gid=1000,fmask=113,dmask=002 -U 5847-xxxx %m
UnmountCmd=sudo umount %m
AutoUnmount=false
AutoMount=false


[Kingston USB]
Comment=Kingston USB drive
Mountpoint="/media/usb2"
MountCmd=sudo mount -t iso9660 -U 2020-10-01-15-xx-yy-zz %m
UnmountCmd=sudo umount %m
AutoUnmount=false
AutoMount=false

Note: The gid, fmask, and dmask options are used to allow the user to access the mountpoint without elevated privileges.

If the device data is unknown, as it often happens when it comes to removable devices, you should use the media command instead.

2. Command syntax

Without arguments (or via the list subcommand), net lists the configuration for each remote available in the configuration file.

Use the edit option to edit the remotes configuration file. If no further argument is specified, the file will be opened with the current file opener. However, you can pass an application as second parameter to open to configuration file. For example: `net edit nano`.

If not already mounted, the m, mount option mounts the specified remote using the mount command and the mounpoint specified in the configuration file and automatically cd to the corresponding mountpoint. For example: `net mount smb_work`. Since mount is the default action, it can be omitted: `net smb_work`.

The u, unmount option unmounts the specified remote using the unmount command specified in the configuration file. For example: `net unmount smb_work`. Tab completion is also available for this function.

Note: If you only need to copy some files to a remote location (including mobile phones) without the need to mount the resource, you can make use of the cprm.sh plugin, bound by default to the cr action. Set up your remotes (`cr --edit`) and then send the file you want (`cr FILE`).

Open FILE, which can be either a directory (in which case it works just like the cd command), a regular file, or a symbolic link to either of the two. For example: `o 12`, `o filename`, `o /path/to/filename`.

By default, the open command will open files with the default application associated to them via Lira, the builtin file opener (see the mime command above). However, if you want to open a file with a different application, add the application name as second argument, e.g. `o 12 leafpad` or `o12 leafpad`.

If you want to run the program in the background, simply add the ampersand character, as usual: `o 12 &`, `o 12&`, `o12&` or (if auto-open is enabled) just `12&`.

If the file to be opened is an archive/compressed file, the archive function (see the ad command above) will be executed instead.

Interactively change file ownership.

A new prompt is displayed using user and primary group common to all files passed as parameters as ownership template.

Ownership (both user and primary group, if specified) is changed for all files passed as parameters. If the file is a symbolic link, the operation is performed on the target file, and not on the symbolic link itself. Bear in mind that recursion is not supported: use chown(1) (with the -R option) instead.

Both names and ID numbers are allowed (Tab completion for names is available).

If only a name/number is entered, it is taken as the user who owns the file(s).

Use the pc command to edit files permissions.

With no argument, prints the currently used file opener (by default, Lira, clifm´s builtin opener). Otherwise, set APPLICATION (say rifle or xdg-open) as opener or, if default is passed instead, use Lira.
If APPLICATION is specified, open FILE with APPLICATION. In case you need to add parameters to APPLICATION, it is recommended to quote the expression: `ow FILE "APP ARG..."`.

If APPLICATION is not specified, the list of available applications associated to FILE (either via its MIME type or its file extension) is printed, allowing the user to choose one of these applications, and then open the file with the selected application.

This command supports tab completion. Type `ow FILE <TAB>` and the list of applications able to open FILE will be displayed .

Print file properties for FILE. The output of this function is much like the combined output of the shell commands`ls -l` and `stat`.

By default, directory sizes are not displayed. Use pp instead of just p to print directory sizes as well (it could take longer depending on the directory's content). On the other side, and unlike p, pp provides information about the dereferenced symlinks (namely, the symlink target) instead of the symlink itself. However, note that, in case of symbolic links to directories, p provides information about the link target if the provided filename ends with a slash. Otherwise, information about the link itself is displayed.

The time format used to display time information can be customized via the PTimeStyle option in the configuration file (defaults to "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S.%N %z", where %N stands for nano-second precision).

If you need to list the properties of all files in the current directory, try the long view (ll or Alt+l). Fields displayed in this mode can be customized using the PropFields option in the configuration file. For custom timestamp formats use the TimeStyle option.

For more information about file details consult the file-details help topic: `help file-details`.

Interactively change file permissions (only traditional Unix permissions are supported).

A new prompt is displayed using actual permissions (in symbolic notation) of the file to be edited as template. If editing multiple files with different sets of permissions, only shared permission bits are set in the permissions template.

Bear in mind that, if editing multiple files at once, say `pc sel` or `pc *.c`, the new permissions set will be applied to all of them.

Both symbolic and octal notation for the new permissions set are allowed.

Recursively setting file permissions is not supported. Use chmod(1) with the -R flag instead.

If you just need to toggle the executable permission bit on a file, you can use the te command.

Use the oc command to edit files ownership.

With no arguments, prints the name of the currently used profile. Use the ls or list option to list available profiles. To switch, add, delete, or rename a profile, use the set, add, del, and rename options respectively.
Run or set Mas, clifm's builtin files pager.

With no parameter, just run the pager (Alt+0 is also available).

If set to on, run the pager whenever the list of files does not fit on the screen.

Set it to any positive integer greater than 1 to run the pager whenever the number of files in the current directory is greater than or equal to this value, say 1000 (0 amounts to off and 1 to on).

Set to once to run the pager only a single time (overwriting whatever was its previous value).

While paging, the following keys are available:


?, h: Help
Down arrow, Enter, Space: Advance one line
Page down: Advance one page
q: Stop paging (without printing remaining files)
c: Stop paging (printing remaining files)

Note: To scroll lines up, use whatever your terminal emulator has to offer (e.g.: mouse scrolling or some keybinding).

By default, the pager lists files using the current listing mode (long or short). Use PagerView in the configuration file (or --pager-view in the command line) to force the use of a specific mode. Possibles values:


auto: Use the current listing mode (default)
long: List files in long view
short: List files in short view

Pin a file or directory to be accessed later via the comma (,) keyword. For example, run `pin mydir` and then access mydir as follows: `cd ,` where the comma is automatically expanded to the pinned file, in this case mydir. The comma keyword could be used with any command, either internal or external, e.g, `ls ,`.

With no arguments, the pin command prints the current pinned file, if any. If an argument is given, it will be taken as a filename to be pinned. Running this command again, frees the previous pinned file and sets a new one. In other words, only one pin is supported at a time.

An easy alternative to create as many pins or shortcuts as you want, and how you want, is to use the alias function. Bookmarks could also be used to achieve a very similar result.

At program exit, the pinned file is written to a file in the configuration directory (as .pin) to be loaded in the next session.

Manage clifm's prompts. Use the set subcommand to temporarily change the current prompt to the prompt named NAME (use the unset subcommand to unset the current prompt and set the default one). Available prompts (which can be listed using `prompt list` or `prompt set <TAB>`) are defined in the prompts file ($HOME/.config/clifm/prompts.clifm). To permanently set a prompt, edit your color scheme file (via the `cs edit` command) and set Prompt to either a prompt code or a prompt name (as defined in the prompts file).
Quit clifm.
Refresh the screen, that is, reprint files in the current directory and update the prompt. If the current directory is not accessible for any reason, rf will go up until it finds an accessible one and then will change to this directory.
Reload all settings, except those passed as command line arguments, from the configuration file.
Remove files and/or directories in bulk using a text editor.

rr writes all filenames in DIR (or in the current directory if DIR is omitted) to a temporary file and opens it using EDITOR (or the default associated application for text/plain MIME type, if EDITOR is omitted).

Once in the editor, remove the lines corresponding to the files you want to delete. Save changes and close the editor. Removed files will be listed and the user asked for confirmation.

Mark one or more files (either regular files or directories) as selected (send to the Selection Box). sel accepts individual elements, range of elements, say 1-6, filenames and paths, just as wildcards (globbing) and regular expressions. For example: `s 1 4-10 ^r file* filename /path/to/filename`.

If not in light mode, once a file is selected, and if the file is in the current directory, the corresponding filename will be highlighted with a mark (colored according to the value of li in the color scheme file (by default bold green)) at the left of the filename (and at the right of its ELN).

Just as in the search function, it is also possible to further filter the list of matches indicating the desired file type. For instance, `s ^ -d` will select all directories in the current directory. For available file type filters see the search function above.

By default, the selection function operates on the current working directory. To select files in any other directory use the ":PATH" expression. For example, to select all regular files with a .conf extension in the /etc directory, the command would be: `s .*\.conf$ -f :/etc`, or using wildcards: `s *.conf -f :/etc`. Of course, you can also do just `s -f /etc/*.conf`.

Just as in the case of the search function, inverse matching is supported for patterns, either wildcards or regular expressions. To invert the meaning and action of a pattern, prepend an exclamation mark (!). E.g., to select all non-hidden regular files in the Documents directory, issue this command: `s !^. -f :Documents`, or, to select all directories in /etc, except those ending with ".d": `s !*.d -d :/etc`.

Glob and regular expressions can be used together. For example: `s ^[r|R].*d$ /etc/*.conf` will select all files starting with either 'r' or 'R' and ending with 'd' in the current directory, plus all .conf files in the /etc directory. However, this use is discouraged if both patterns refer to the same directory, since the second one will probably override the result of the first one.

It is important to note that glob expressions are evaluated before regular expressions, in such a way that any pattern that could be understood by both kinds of pattern matching mechanisms will be evaluated first according to the former, that is, as a glob expression. For example, '.*', as regular expression, should match all files. However, since glob expressions are evaluated first, it will only match hidden files. To select all files using a glob expression, try ´.* *´, or, with a regular expression: ´^´ or ´(.*?)´. The keyboard shortcut Alt+a is also available to perform the same operation.

The Selection Box is accessible from different instances of the program, provided they use the same profile (see the profile command below). By default, indeed, each profile keeps a private Selection Box, being thus not accessible to other profiles. You can nonetheless modify this behavior via the ShareSelbox option in the configuration file. If ShareSelbox is enabled, selected files are stored in /tmp/clifm/username/.selbox.clifm. Otherwise, /tmp/clifm/username/.selbox_profilename.clifm is used (this is the default).

Operating on selected files

To operate on one or more selected files use the sel keyword (s: can be used as well). For example, to print the file properties of all selected files: `p sel` (or `p s:)`. Use `s:<TAB>` to list selected files (multi-selection is available if running in fzf mode).

Listing selected files

To list selected files use the sb command (standing for Selection Box). You can also type `s:<TAB>`.

Deselecting files

To deselect files use the ds command (see above). You can also press Alt+d to deselect all files at once.

Note: If there is a file named sel in the current directory, use ./sel to distinguish it from the sel keyword. For example, enter `p ./sel` to tell clifm that you want to get the properties of the file named sel rather than the properties of the currently selected files.

For more information consult the BUILT-IN EXPANSIONS section below.

Print the elements currently contained in the Selection Box.
With no argument, print the current sort order. Else, sort files by METHOD, where METHOD is one of: 0=none, 1=name, 2=size, 3=atime, 4=btime, 5=ctime, 6=mtime, 7=version, 8=extension, 9=inode, 10=owner, 11=group, 12=blocks, 13=links, or 14=type (e.g.: st atime or st 3). Methods 10 and 11 sort by owner and group ID names if using ID names in long view (see the PropFields option in the configuration file). Else, ID numbers are used. The default order is version.

By default, files are sorted from less to more (e.g.: from ´a´ to ´z´ if sorting by name). Use the rev subcommand to invert this order. E.g.: `st rev` or `st inode rev`. Switch back to the previous state by running `st rev` again.

Take a look at the configuration file for extra sort options (ListDirsFirst, PrioritySortChar, ShowHiddenFiles).


Print file statistics for files in the current directory (not available in light mode).
Move specified files to the trash can (e.g. `t file1 file2`).

With no argument (or by passing the ls option), it prints the list of currently trashed files. The clear (or empty) sucommand removes all files from the trash can, while the del subcommand lists trashed files allowing the user to permanently remove one or more trashed files. If using del, tab completion to list/select currently trashed files is available.

The trash directory is $XDG_DATA_HOME/Trash, falling back to $HOME/.local/share/Trash. To set an alternative trash directory use the -T,--trash-dir command line option.

Since this trash system follows the Freedesktop specification, it is able to handle files trashed by different Trash implementations.

To restore trashed files (to their original location) see the untrash command below.

tag is the main Etiqueta command, clifm's builtin files tagging system. See the FILE TAGS section for a complete description of this command.
Toggle the executable bit (on user, group, and others) on FILE(s). It is equivalent to the -x and +x options for the chmod(1) command.

Print the list of clifm tips.
If filenames are passed as parameters, restore them to their original location. Otherwise, this function prints a list of currently trashed files allowing the user to choose one or more of these files to be restored. Use the *, a or all parameters to restore all trashed files at once. Tab completion to list/select currently trashed files is available.

This command takes no argument. It just frees the current pin and, if it exists, deletes the .pin file generated by the pin command.
Copy FILE(s) to DIR and bulk rename them at once.
Show clifm version details.
preview files in the current directory (full screen). Requires fzf(1). Alt+- is also available.

By pressing Enter or Right, the currently highlighted file will be selected and view closed. To select multiple files, mark them with the TAB key and then press Enter or Right to confirm. To quit view press Escape or the Left arrow key.

Run `view purge` to purge the thumbnails directory ($XDG_CACHE_HOME/clifm/thumbnails) of dangling thumbnails.

To edit the previewer configuration file enter `view edit`, or `view edit vi` to open it with a specific application, in this case, vi(1).

For image previews consult the Wiki (https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/tree/master/misc/tools/imgprev) or enter `help image-previews`.

For further information consult the SHOTGUN section below.

Clifm offers up to eight workspaces, each with its own independent path.

With no argument, the ws command prints the list of workspaces and its corresponding paths, highlighting the current workspace.

Use NUM to switch to the workspace number NUM, NAME to switch to the workspace named NAME, the plus sign (+) to switch to the next workspace, and the minus sign (-) to switch to the previous workspace.

To unset a workspace use the unset subcommand preceded by the workspace (either number or name) to be unset. For example: `ws 2 unset`.

Four keyboard shortcuts are available to easily switch to any of the first four workspaces: Alt+[1-4].

Every time an empty workspace is created, it starts in the current working directory.

Though by default workspaces are unnamed, you can name them however you like using the WorkspaceNames option in the configuration file.

Use autocommands to persistenly set options per workspace, for example, to always list files in the third workspace in long view. See the AUTOCOMMANDS section below for more information.

Make local settings private to the current workspace by setting the PrivateWorkspaceSettings option to true in the configuration file: settings changed via either the command line or keyboard shortcuts (say Alt+l, to toggle the long view) will apply only to the current workspace and will be remembered even when switching workspaces.

To directly operate on a workspace (namely, the path it points to) you can use the w: prefix followed by a workspace number or name. For example, to copy all .png files in the current directory to the third workspace, enter `c *.png w:3`. Press TAB immediately after w: to get the list of available workspaces.

Open DIR, or the current working directory if DIR is not specified, in a new instance of clifm (as root if X, as the current unprivileged user if x) using the value of TerminalCmd (from the configuration file) as terminal emulator. If this value is not set, xterm will be used as fallback terminal emulator. This function is only available for graphical environments.

pwd [-LP]


Print the current working directory

export NAME=VALUE...


Export variables to the environment

umask [VALUE]


Print/set the current umask value

unset NAME


Remove a variable from the environment

Clifm provides multiple ways to filter the current list of files:

a) Hidden files: via the -A and -a command line flags, the hh command, and the Alt+. keybinding.

Files listed in a file named .hidden in the current directory will be hidden as well whenever hidden files are not shown (wildcards are supported).

b) Directories: via the --only-dirs command line switch and the Alt+, keybinding.

c) Filenames and file types: either via a regular expression or a file type character (see below) using the ft command (the Filter option in the configuration file and the CLIFM_FILTER environment variable are also available). For example, to exclude backup files (ending with a tilde):


CLIFM_FILTER=´!.*~$´ clifm

or (in the configuration file):


Filter="!.*~$"

or (via the ft command):


ft !.*~$

See the ft command for a few more examples.

d) Filtering files via the TAB key:

You can filter files by name using wildcards. For example: `p *.mp3<TAB>` (or `/*.mp3<TAB>`) to get a list of MP3 files in the current directory.

Files can also be filtered by MIME-type using the @ prefix. Type `@<TAB>` to list all MIME-types found in the current directory, or `@query<TAB>` to list all files whose MIME-type includes the string "query". For example, `@image<TAB>` will list all files in the current directory whose MIME type includes the string "image".

Finally, files can be filtered as well by file type using the = prefix followed by a file type character (see below). For example, `=l<TAB>` to get a list of symbolic links in the current directory.

Note: If using tab completion in fzf mode, multi-selection is allowed (except in the case of `@<TAB>`).

Available file type characters:


b: Block devices
c: Character devices
C: Files with capabilities (1)(2)
d: Directories
D: Empty directories
f: Regular files
F: Empty regular files
g: SGID files (2)
h: Multi-hardlink files (directories excluded)
l: Symbolic links
L: Broken symbolic links
o: Other-writable files (2)
p: FIFO/pipes (2)
s: Sockets (2)
O: Doors (Solaris only)
P: Event ports (Solaris only)
t: Files with the sticky bit set (2)
u: SUID files (2)
x: Executable files (2)

(1) Only for tab completion

(2) Not available in light mode

e) Grouping files (via automatic expansion):

By means of the above features, you can easily group and operate on groups of files. For example, this command:


vt b: @image =x sel t:work *.txt

opens a virtual directory (see the VIRTUAL DIRECTORIES section below) automatically expanding the above expressions as follows:

Expression Description
b: All your bookmarks (paths)
@image All image files (CWD)
=x All executable files (CWD)
sel All selected files
t:work All files tagged as work
*.txt All .txt files (CWD)

The following is the list of default keyboard shortcuts:

Key Description
Ctrl+Alt+j Toggle the vi editing mode
Right, Ctrl+f Accept the current suggestion
Alt+Right, Alt+f Accept the first suggested word (up to the first slash or space)
Alt+c Clear the current command line buffer
Alt+q Delete last word (up to last slash or space)
Alt+i, Alt+. Toggle hidden-files
Alt+l Toggle long-view
Alt++ Toggle follow-links (long view only)
Alt+g Toggle list-directories-first
Alt+, Toggle list-only-directories
Ctrl+Alt+l Toggle max-filename-length
Ctrl+Alt+i, Alt+Tab Toggle disk-usage-analyzer
Alt+w Toggle full-path-filenames (virtual directories)
Ctrl+l Refresh the screen (reprint the list of files in the current directory)
Alt+t Clear program messages
Alt+m List mountpoints
Alt+b Launch the Bookmark Manager
Alt+h Show the directory history
Alt+n Create new file or directory
Alt+s Open the Selection Box
Alt+- Launch the file previewer (view command)
Alt+a Select all files in the current directory
Alt+d Deselect all files
Alt+0 Run MAS, the file pager
Alt+p Change to the pinned directory
Alt+1 Switch to workspace 1
Alt+2 Switch to workspace 2
Alt+3 Switch to workspace 3
Alt+4 Switch to workspace 4

Key Description
Alt+r Change to the root directory
Alt+e, Home Change to the home directory
Alt+u, Shift+Up Change to the parent directory
Alt+j, Shift+Left Change to the previously visited directory
Alt+k, Shift+Right Change to the next visited directory
Ctrl+Alt+o Switch to the previous profile
Ctrl+Alt+p Switch to the next profile
Ctrl+Alt+a Archive selected files
Ctrl+Alt+e Export selected files
Ctrl+Alt+r Rename selected files
Ctrl+Alt+d Remove selected files
Ctrl+Alt+t Trash selected files
Ctrl+Alt+v Copy selected files to the current directory
Alt+y Toggle light-mode
Alt+z Switch to previous sort method
Alt+x Switch to next sort method
Ctrl+Alt+x Launch a new instance of clifm
Ctrl+y Copy the contents of the line buffer to the clipboard (1)
F1 Go to the manpage
F2 List commands
F3 List keybindings
F6 Open the MIME list file
F7 Open the shotgun configuration file
F8 Open the current color scheme file
F9 Open the keybindings file
F10 Open the main configuration file
F11 Open the bookmarks file
F12 Quit

(1) This shortcut is bound to the xclip plugin. See the PLUGINS section below for more information.
1. Copy your plugin to the plugins directory (or use any of the plugins already in there)
2. Link pluginx (where ´x´ is the plugin number [1-16]) to your plugin using the `actions edit` command. E.g.: "plugin1=myplugin.sh"
3. Set a keybinding for pluginx using the `kb edit` command. E.g.: "plugin1:\M-7"
1. Download the specially crafted keybindings configuration file designed to handle CSI u escape sequences (https://github.com/leo-arch/clifm/blob/master/misc/kitty/keybindings.clifm).
2. Configure clifm to use this new file instead of the default one (~/.config/clifm/keybindings.clifm) by using the -k command line switch. Alternatively, you can replace the default file with the new one.
3. If your terminal is not already set up to send CSI u sequences, use the --kitty-keys command line switch.


clifm -k /path/to/keybindings/file --kitty-keys


map control+d send_text kitty \x04


On OpenBSD:
1) Copy /etc/examples/wsconsctl.conf to /etc (if it does not already exist)
2) Add the metaesc flag to your current keyboard encoding. For example: keyboard.encoding=us.metaesc
You may need to reboot the machine for changes to take effect.


On NetBSD:
Add the metaesc flag to your current encoding in /etc/wscons.conf. For example: encoding us.metaesc
You may need to reboot the machine for changes to take effect.


Left+Shift \E[1;2D
Right+Shift \E[1;2C

If they are already bound, by contrast, you only need to unbound them. Go to "Settings -> Configure keyboard shortcuts", click on the corresponding keybinding, and set it to "Custom (none)").

1. COLORS


di = directory
ed = empty directory
nd = directory with no read/exec permission (1)
fi = regular file
ef = empty regular file
nf = file with no read permission (1)
ln = symlink
mh = multi-hardlink file
or = orphaned or broken symlink
bd = block device
cd = character device
pi = FIFO, pipe
so = socket
su = SUID file
sg = SGID file
tw = sticky and other writable directory
st = sticky and not other writable directory
ow = other writable directory
ex = executable file
ee = empty executable file
ca = file with capabilities
oo = door/port (Solaris only)
no = unknown file type
uf = unaccessible files (fstatat(3) error)

(1) If unset, the corresponding file type color is used and an exclamation mark is printed before the filename in the file list (provided icons are disabled -otherwise the lock icon is used- and clifm is not running in light mode -in light mode access checks are not performed). The color used for the exclamation mark is xf (see below).


Suggestions
sb = shell builtins
sc = aliases and shell command names
sd = internal commands description
sf = ELNs, bookmarks, tag, and filenames
sh = commands history entries
sx = suggestions for clifm's internal commands and parameters
sp = suggestions pointer (e.g.: 56 > filename, where '>' is the suggestion pointer)
sz = filenames (fuzzy)


Syntax highlighting
hb = brackets ´()[]{}´
hc = comments (lines starting with '#')
hd = slashes
he = expansion chars ´~*´
hn = numbers
hp = option parameters (starting with ´-´)
hq = quoted strings (both single and double quotes)
hr = process redirection (>)
hs = process separators (; & |)
hv = variable names (starting with ´$´)
hw = Backslash (aka whack)


Prompt elements
li = selected files
ti = trash indicator
ac = autocommand indicator
em = error message indicator
wm = warning message indicator
nm = notice message indicator
ro = read-only mode indicator
si = stealth mode indicator
tx = command line text (regular prompt)


File properties
db = file allocated blocks
dd = last access/change/modification time (1)
de = file inode number (long view only)
dg = group ID (provided the user has access to the file)
dk = number of links (long view only)
dn = dash (unset property)
do = octal value for file properties
dp = SUID, SGID, sticky bit
dr = read permission bit
dt = timestamp identification mark (2)
du = user ID (provided the user has access to the file)
dw = write permission bit
dxd = executable permission bit (directories)
dxr = executable permission bit (regular files)
dz = size (1)


(1) If unset (default), gradient colors are used (based on file size and file age).


(2) If unset (default), a dimmed version of the current timestamp color is used.


Note: For a better graphical representation of file properties, 256 colors are used if possible (otherwise, clifm falls back to 16 colors).


Miscellaneous interface elements
fc = file counter
df = default color
dl = dividing line
el = ELN color
lc = symbolic link indicator (ColorLinksAsTarget only)
mi = misc indicators (disk usage, sort method, bulk rename, jump database list)
ts = matching suffix for possible tab completed entries
tt = tilde for truncated filenames
wc = welcome message
wsN = color for workspace N (1-8)
xs = exit code: success
xf = exit code: failure

4-bit, 8-bit (256-colors), and 24-bit (true colors) colors are supported.


31 4-bit
38;5;160 8-bit
@160 8-bit (short)
38;2;255;0;0 24-bit
#ff0000 24-bit (short, HEX) (1)

(1) Both three and six digits hexadecimal colors (lower or uppercase) are supported. For example, #f00 amounts to #ff0000.


1: Bold or increased intensity
2: Faint, decreased intensity or dim
3: Italic (Not widely supported)
4: Underline
5: Slow blink
6: Rapid blink
7: Reverse video or invert
8: Conceal or hide (Not widely supported)
9: Crossed-out or strike


0 Black 86 Aquamarine1 172 Orange3
1 Red 87 DarkSlateGray2 173 LightSalmon3_2
2 Green 88 DarkRed_2 174 LightPink3
3 Yellow 89 DeepPink4_2 175 Pink3
4 Blue 90 DarkMagenta 176 Plum3
5 Magenta 91 DarkMagenta_2 177 Violet
6 Cyan 92 DarkViolet 178 Gold3_2
7 White 93 Purple 179 LightGoldenrod3
8 LightBlack 94 Orange4_2 180 Tan
9 LightRed 95 LightPink4 181 MistyRose3
10 LightGreen 96 Plum4 182 Thistle3
11 LightYellow 97 MediumPurple3 183 Plum2
12 LightBlue 98 MediumPurple3_2 184 Yellow3_2
13 LightMagenta 99 SlateBlue1 185 Khaki3
14 LightCyan 100 Yellow4 186 LightGoldenrod2
15 LightWhite 101 Wheat4 187 LightYellow3
16 Grey0 102 Grey53 188 Grey84
17 NavyBlue 103 LightSlateGrey 189 LightSteelBlue1
18 DarkBlue 104 MediumPurple 190 Yellow2
19 Blue3 105 LightSlateBlue 191 DarkOliveGreen1
20 Blue3_2 106 Yellow4_2 192 DarkOliveGreen1_2
21 Blue1 107 DarkOliveGreen3 193 DarkSeaGreen1_2
22 DarkGreen 108 DarkSeaGreen 194 Honeydew2
23 DeepSkyBlue4 109 LightSkyBlue3 195 LightCyan1
24 DeepSkyBlue4_2 110 LightSkyBlue3_2 196 Red1
25 DeepSkyBlue4_3 111 SkyBlue2 197 DeepPink2
26 DodgerBlue3 112 Chartreuse2_2 198 DeepPink1
27 DodgerBlue2 113 DarkOliveGreen3_2 199 DeepPink1_2
28 Green4 114 PaleGreen3_2 200 Magenta2_2
29 SpringGreen4 115 DarkSeaGreen3 201 Magenta1
30 Turquoise4 116 DarkSlateGray3 202 OrangeRed1
31 DeepSkyBlue3 117 SkyBlue1 203 IndianRed1
32 DeepSkyBlue3_2 118 Chartreuse1 204 IndianRed1_2
33 DodgerBlue1 119 LightGreen_2 205 HotPink
34 Green3 120 LightGreen_3 206 HotPink_2
35 SpringGreen3 121 PaleGreen1 207 MediumOrchid1_2
36 DarkCyan 122 Aquamarine1_2 208 DarkOrange
37 LightSeaGreen 123 DarkSlateGray1 209 Salmon1
38 DeepSkyBlue2 124 Red3 210 LightCoral
39 DeepSkyBlue1 125 DeepPink4_3 211 PaleVioletRed1
40 Green3_2 126 MediumVioletRed 212 Orchid2
41 SpringGreen3_2 127 Magenta3 213 Orchid1
42 SpringGreen2 128 DarkViolet_2 214 Orange1
43 Cyan3 129 Purple_2 215 SandyBrown
44 DarkTurquoise 130 DarkOrange3 216 LightSalmon1
45 Turquoise2 131 IndianRed 217 LightPink1
46 Green1 132 HotPink3 218 Pink1
47 SpringGreen2_2 133 MediumOrchid3 219 Plum1
48 SpringGreen1 134 MediumOrchid 220 Gold1
49 MediumSpringGreen 135 MediumPurple2 221 LightGoldenrod2_2
50 Cyan2 136 DarkGoldenrod 222 LightGoldenrod2_3
51 Cyan1 137 LightSalmon3 223 NavajoWhite1
52 DarkRed 138 RosyBrown 224 MistyRose1
53 DeepPink4 139 Grey63 225 Thistle1
54 Purple4 140 MediumPurple2_2 226 Yellow1
55 Purple4_2 141 MediumPurple1 227 LightGoldenrod1
56 Purple3 142 Gold3 228 Khaki1
57 BlueViolet 143 DarkKhaki 229 Wheat1
58 Orange4 144 NavajoWhite3 230 Cornsilk1
59 Grey37 145 Grey69 231 Grey100
60 MediumPurple4 146 LightSteelBlue3 232 Grey3
61 SlateBlue3 147 LightSteelBlue 233 Grey7
62 SlateBlue3_2 148 Yellow3 234 Grey11
63 RoyalBlue1 149 DarkOliveGreen3_3 235 Grey15
64 Chartreuse4 150 DarkSeaGreen3_2 236 Grey19
65 DarkSeaGreen4 151 DarkSeaGreen2 237 Grey23
66 PaleTurquoise4 152 LightCyan3 238 Grey27
67 SteelBlue 153 LightSkyBlue1 239 Grey30
68 SteelBlue3 154 GreenYellow 240 Grey35
69 CornflowerBlue 155 DarkOliveGreen2 241 Grey39
70 Chartreuse3 156 PaleGreen1_2 242 Grey42
71 DarkSeaGreen4_2 157 DarkSeaGreen2_2 243 Grey46
72 CadetBlue 158 DarkSeaGreen1 244 Grey50
73 CadetBlue_2 159 PaleTurquoise1 245 Grey54
74 SkyBlue3 160 Red3_2 246 Grey58
75 SteelBlue1 161 DeepPink3 247 Grey62
76 Chartreuse3_2 162 DeepPink3_2 248 Grey66
77 PaleGreen3 163 Magenta3_2 249 Grey70
78 SeaGreen3 164 Magenta3_3 250 Grey74
79 Aquamarine3 165 Magenta2 251 Grey78
80 MediumTurquoise 166 DarkOrange3_2 252 Grey82
81 SteelBlue1_2 167 IndianRed_2 253 Grey85
82 Chartreuse2 168 HotPink3_2 254 Grey89
83 SeaGreen2 169 HotPink2 255 Grey93
84 SeaGreen1 170 Orchid
85 SeaGreen1_2 171 MediumOrchid1


define FTYPE_DIR=31
define IFACE_ELN=4;38;2;255;255;0;48;2;0;14;191


FiletpeColors="di=FTPYE_DIR:"
InterfaceColors="el=IFACE_ELN:"


fi=4;31 (regular files are 4-bit underlined red)
di=@33-1 (directories are 8-bit bold light-blue)
ln=#5fd7ff (symbolic links are 24-bit light cyan)
so=Yellow3 (socket files are Yellow3)


fi=4;38;2;245;76;48;2;0;0;255

2. THE PROMPT
2.a. Description

"%{reset}\I[\S%{reset}]\l \A \u:\H %{cyan}\w%{reset}\n<\z%{reset}> %{blue}\$%{reset} "


[1] 13:45 user:hostname /my/path
<0> $


"\u@\U \w> "


"$(whoami)@$(hostname) $(pwd)> "

2.b. Prompt notifications
2.c. The Warning Prompt


Is quoted (e.g.: "string" or ´string´)
Is bracketed (e.g.: (string), [string], or {string})
It starts with a stream redirection character (e.g.: <string or >string)
Is a comment (e.g.: #string)
It starts with one or more spaces
Is an assignment (e.g.: foo=var)
It is escaped (e.g.: \string)

"%{reset}%{b:red}(!)%{n:dim} > "

2.d. The Right Prompt


a. Right prompts only work with multiline regular prompts (in the case of a single line regular prompt, the right prompt is not printed).
b. Multiple lines are not supported by right prompts (only the first line will be printed).
c. If the decoded right prompt exceeds the number of available terminal columns, the prompt is not printed.

3. THE DIVIDING LINE
4. FZF WINDOW

1. ELNs

A number representing the Entry List Number (ELN) of a listed file is expanded to its corresponding filename. You can type `ELN<TAB>` to convert the ELN into the filename. ELN ranges are also supported. For example, `t 1-3 10 24` will move the files with ELNs 1 through 3, 10 and 24 to the trash.

Bear in mind that ELNs will only be expanded provided some filename is listed on the screen under the corresponding numbers. For example: `diff 1 118` will only expand '1', but not '118', if there is no ELN 118. In the same way, the range 1-118 will only be expanded provided there are 118 or more filenames listed on the screen. Note that the second field of a range can be omitted, in which case the ELN of the last listed file is assumed (e.g.: provided there are 100 listed files, 12- is equivalent to 12-100).

Since ranges can be a bit tricky, tab completion is available to make sure this range actually includes the desired filenames.

If this feature somehow conflicts with the command you want to run, say, `chmod 644 ...`, because the current number of files is equal or larger than 644 (in which case clifm will expand that number), then you can simply run the command as external: `;chmod 644 ...`

2. Selected files

The s: prefix expands to all selected files (as absolute paths). To get the list of selected files type `s:<TAB>`. The sel keyword can be used as well, but, unlike s:, it can only be used after the first word, i.e., as a command parameter. For example, `m sel` (or `m s:`) will move all selected files to the current directory. To trash or remove selected files, simply run `t sel` or `r sel` respectively.

3. Bookmarks

The b: prefix expands to all bookmarked files (as absolute paths). Enter `b:` followed by a bookmark name to expand to the absolute path referred to by that bookmark. To get the list of available bookmarks, type `b:<TAB>`. For example, `p b:work` will print the file properties of the bookmark named work.

4. Tagged files

The t: prefix is used to access tagged files. Type `t:<TAB>` to get the list of available tags. Type `t:TAG<TAB>` to get the list of files tagged as TAG. t:TAG expands to all files tagged as TAG (as absolute paths). For example, `s t:old` will select all files tagged as "old".

5. Workspaces

The w: prefix expands to a specific workspace (as absolute path). For example, `c sel w:3` will copy all selected files to the third workspace.

6. File types

The = (equal) prefix is used to filter files according to their type. Type `=<TAB>` to get the list of available file types in the current directory. Also, type `=x<TAB>` to get the list of executable files in the current directory. For example, `r =D =F =L` will remove all empty directories, empty regular files, and broken symbolic links in the current directory.

7. MIME types

The @ (at sign) prefix is used to filter files according to their MIME type. Type `@<TAB>` to get the list of MIME types available in the current directory. For example, `br @image` will bulk rename all files in the current directory whose MIME type includes the word "image".

8. Pinned directory

A single comma (,) expands to the currently pinned directory (see the pin command for more information). For example, the command `c =o ,` will copy all other-writable files in the current directory to the pinned directory.

9. Parent directories

Via the fastback function, you can quickly change to any parent directory using a series of dots. A single dot (.) refers to the current directory, and two dots (..) refer to the parent directory. This pattern continues, so three dots (...) refer to the parent of the parent directory, four dots (....) refer to the parent of the parent of the parent directory, and so on. In general, n dots refer to the nth level of parent directories.

9. TAB COMPLETION


--color=16,prompt:6,fg+:-1,pointer:4,hl:5,hl+:5,gutter:-1,marker:2,border:7:dim --bind tab:accept,right:accept,left:abort,alt-p:toggle-preview --inline-info --layout=reverse-list --preview-window=wrap,border-left


export CLIFM_SMENU_OPTIONS="-a t:2,b b:4 c:r ct:2,r sf:6,r st:5,r mt:5,b"

As clifm´s builtin file opener, Lira takes care of opening files when no opening application has been specified in the command line (or when running as a standalone file opener, via the --open command line switch). It does this by automatically parsing a MIME list file (see the FILES section below): it looks first for a matching pattern (either a MIME type or a filename), then checks the existence of the command associated to this pattern, and finally executes it.


image/x-ilbm iff lbm
image/openraster ora

(1) To use a different file, set $CLIFM_MIMETYPES_FILE to the desired file, for example, `CLIFM_MIMETYPES_FILE=/etc/mime.types clifm`.
(2) In case of issues, bear in mind that the mime.types file is read top to bottom, and that, in case of conclicts (mostly duplicate extensions), only the last entry is effective.
Important: Though sometimes convenient, determining file types by means of filename extensions alone is unreliable: a file, no matter its type, can bear any file extension, without restriction. Because of this, you might end up executing a command that was not intended due to wrong file identification. Be extra careful when doing this.
1. Syntax


^text/.*=leafpad


[!][X:][N:]REGEX=CMD [ARGS] [%[f,x]] [![E,O]] [&]; ...

2. The left value (REGEX)
2.1. The X prefix


^text/.*=leafpad


X:^text/.*=leafpad
!X:^text/.*=nano

2.2. The N prefix


X:N:^filename.txt$=leafpad


X:N:.*.txt$=leafpad

3. The right value (CMD)


X:N:.*.txt$=leafpad --sync,geany,mousepad,nano

3.1. The %f placeholder


mpv %f --terminal=no

3.2. STDERR and STDOUT
3.3. Run in the background
3.4. The %x flag


APP %x


TERM -e APP %x

3.5. Environment variables


X:text/plain=$CLIFM_TERM -e $CLIFM_EDITOR %f &
X:N:.*\.pdf$=$CLIFM_PDF %f &

3.6. Using shell scripts
Bear in mind that commands will be executed directly without shell intervention, so that no shell goodies (like pipes, conditions, loops, etc) are available. In case you need something more complex than a single command (including shell capabilities) write your own script and place the path to the script in place of the command. For example:


X:^text/.*:~/scripts/my_cool_script.sh

4. Examples:


X:N:some_filename=nano;vim;vi;emacs


^video/.*=mpv %f !E


^video/.*=gmplayer %f !EO & (or 'gmplayer %x')


X:N:^str.*=leafpad %x;mousepad %x;kate %x;gedit %x


X:N:.*\.txt$=leafpad %x;mousepad %x;kate %x;gedit %x
!X:N:.*\.^txt$=nano;vim;vi;emacs


X:N:.*\.(sh|c|py|pl)$:geany %x;leafpad %x;nano


!X:^audio/mp3$=mpv %f --terminal=no;ffplay -nodisp -autoexit;mpv;mplayer


X:^audio/.*=mplayer;mplayer2;vlc %x;gmplayer %x;smplayer %x;totem %x


!X:text/plain=$TERM -e $EDITOR %x

5. Using a third-party opener


Opener=rifle


Opener=xdg-open


.*=rifle

6. Using Clifm as a standalone file opener


clifm --open /path/to/my_file.jpg
clifm --open /path/to/my_dir
clifm --open https://some_domain

1. Tab completion with file previews

2. Running as a standalone files previewer


clifm --preview myfile.txt

3. Customization


clifm --shotgun-file=/path/to/shotgun/config/file --preview=myfile.txt


--preview-window=down


Alt+p: Toggle the preview window
Ctrl+Up / Shift+Up: Scroll the preview window up one line
Ctrl+Down / Shift+Down: Scroll the preview window down one line
Alt+Up: Scroll the preview window up one page
Alt+Down: Scroll the preview window down one page

4. Image previews

Gemini is a builtin suggestions system (similar to that provided by the Fish shell). As you type, Gemini will suggest possible completions right after the current cursor position.

The following checks are available (the order can be customized, see below):

a. ELNs

b. clifm commands and parameters

c. Entries in the command history list (already used commands)

d. Filenames in the current working directory and paths (1)

e. Entries in the jump database

f. Aliases names

g. Bookmarks names

h. Program names in PATH

i. Shell builtins (2)

(1) Fuzzy suggestions are supported. For example: dwn > Downloads. Enable this feature using the --fuzzy-marching command line switch or setting FuzzyMatching to true in the configuration file.

(2) The shell name is taken from /bin/sh. The following shells are supported: bash, dash, fish, ksh, tcsh, and zsh. Command names are checked in the following order: clifm internal commands, commands in PATH, and shell builtins.

Note: By default, a brief description for internal commands is suggested. You can disable this feature via the SuggestCmdDesc option in the configuration file.

To accept the entire suggestion press Right or Ctrl+f: the cursor will move to the end of the suggested command and the suggestion color will change to that of the typed text; next, you can press Enter to execute the command as usual. Otherwise, if the suggestion is not accepted, it will be simply ignored and you can continue editing the current command line however you want.

To accept the first suggested word only (up to first slash or space), press rather Alt+Right or Alt+f. Not available for ELNs, aliases and bookmarks names.

Bear in mind that suggestions for ELNs, aliases, bookmarks names, the jump function (invoked by the j command), just as filenames and paths (if fuzzy-suggestions are enabled) do not work as the remaining suggestions: they do not suggest possible completions for the current input, but rather the value pointed to by it. For example, if you type "12" and the current list of files includes a filename whose ELN is '12', the filename corresponding to this ELN will be printed next to "12" as follows: 12_ > filename (where the underscore is the current cursor position). Press Right or Ctrl+f to accept the suggestion, in which case the text typed so far will be replaced by the suggestion.

The order of the suggestion checks can be customized using the SuggestionStrategy option in the configuration file. Each check is assigned a lowercase character:


a = Aliases names
c = Possible completions
e = ELNs
f = Files in the current directory
h = Entries in the commands history
j = Entries in the jump database

The value taken by SuggestionStrategy is a string containing one or more of the above characters. The characters order in this string specifies the order in which the suggestion checks will be performed. For example, to perform all checks in the same order above, the value of the string should be acefhj (without quotes). Or, if you prefer to run the history check first: hacefj. Finally, you can ignore one or more checks by just omitting the corresponding character (to skip all checks, set the option value to a single dash (-)). So, to ignore the aliases and the ELN checks, set SuggestionStrategy to hcfj. The default value for this option is ehfjac.

Note: The check for program names in PATH is always executed at last, except when the ExternalCommands option is disabled, in which case suggestions for them are simply not displayed.

Suggestions will be printed using one of the following color codes (see the COLOR CODES section above):

sf: Used for file and directory names. This includes suggestions for ELNs, bookmarks names, files in the current directory, and possible completions. Default value: 2;4;36 (dimmed underlined cyan)

sh: Used for entries in the commands history.

sc: Used for aliases and program names in PATH.

sx: Used for clifm internal commands and parameters.

sp: Greater-than sign (>) used when suggesting ELNs, bookmarks, and aliases names.

You can set SuggestFiletypeColor to true in the configuration file to use the color of the file type of the current filename (as set in the color scheme file) instead of the value of sf. For example, if a suggestion is printed for a file that is a symbolic link, ln or or (if it's a broken link) will be used instead of sf.

Clifm includes a few shell functions to perform specific actions (cd-on-quit, and subshell-notice). Take a look at the corresponding files, in /usr/share/clifm/functions, and follow the instructions. Needles to say, you can write your own functions.

Plugins are just scripts or programs (written in any language) intended to add, extend or improve clifm´s functionalities. They are linked to actions names defined in a dedicated configuration file ($XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/actions.clifm).

Note: In stealth mode, since access to configuration files is not allowed, plugins are disabled.

To list available actions and the plugins they are linked to, run `actions`.

To execute a given plugin, enter the corresponding action name (plus parameters if required).

To get information about a specific plugin, enter the action name followed by `--help`.

Though several plugins are provided at installation time (in the plugins directory), you can write your owns as you like, with any language you like, and for whatever purpose you want. Writing plugins is generally quite easy; but your mileage may vary depending on what you are trying to achieve. A good place to start is examining the provided plugins and reading the actions command description, just as the ENVIRONMENT and FILES sections below.

A convenient helper script is provided to get a consistent look across all plugins, specially those running fzf. This helper script is located in DATADIR/clifm/plugins/plugins-helper, but it will be overridden by $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/plugins/plugins-helper if found. The location of this file is set by clifm itself in the CLIFM_PLUGINS_HELPER environment variable to be used by plugins. Source the file and use any of the functions and variables provided by it to write a new fzf plugin:


# Source our plugins helper
if [ -z "$CLIFM_PLUGINS_HELPER" ] || ! [ -f "$CLIFM_PLUGINS_HELPER" ]; then
printf "clifm: Unable to find plugins-helper file\n" >&2
exit 1
fi
# shellcheck source=/dev/null
. "$CLIFM_PLUGINS_HELPER"

Plugins can talk to clifm via a dedicated pipe created for this purpose and exposed via an environment variable (CLIFM_BUS). Write to the pipe and clifm will hear and handle the message immediately after the plugin's execution. If the message is a path, clifm will run the open function, changing the current directory to the new path, if a directory, or opening it with the default associated application if a file. Otherwise, if the message is not a path, it will be taken and executed as a command. Examples:


´echo "/tmp" > "$CLIFM_BUS"´ tells clifm to change the current directory to /tmp


´echo "s *.png" > "$CLIFM_BUS"´ makes clifm select all files in the current directory ending with ".png"

The pipe (CLIFM_BUS) is deleted immediately after the execution of its content and recreated before running any other plugin.

This is a list of available plugins:

Action name Description Dependencies
bn Create files in batch -
bcp Copy files in batch -
bmi Import bookmarks -
clip Interact with the system clipboard (1)
unset Test terminal´s colors capability (2)
cr Copy files to a remote location fzf, and scp, ffsend, or croc
da Disk usage analyzer du, fzf
dr Drag and drop files dragon or dragon-drag-and-drop
fdups Find/remove file dups (3)
+ Find files in the current directory fzf or rofi
_ (underscore) Quickly change directory fzf
h Browse the commands history fzf
- (yes, just a dash) Navigate/select/preview files See section below
* Select files (includes flat view) fzf, find
** Deselect files fzf
unset Show git repo status git (4)
ih Browse clifm's manpage fzf
i Image thumbnails previewer sxiv, feh or lsix
++ Jump to a directory in the jump database fzf or rofi
kd Decrypt a GnuPG encrypted file gpg, tar, sed, grep
ke Encrypt files/dirs using GnuPG gpg, tar, sed, fzf, awk, xargs
ml List files by a given MIME type fzf, file
music Create a music playlist mplayer
gg Pipe files in CWD through a pager less, column
ptot Preview PDF files as text pdftotext
rrm Recursively remove files find, fzf
// Search files by content fzf, ripgrep
unset Update plugins (5)
vid Preview video files thumbnails ffmpegthumbnailer
vt Virtual directory for sets of files sed
wall Set image as wallpaper (6)
unset Pick/select files via clifm (7)
Ctrl+y Copy the line buffer to the clipboard (8)

(1) xclip or xsel (Xorg), wl-copy/wl-paste (Wayland), clipboard (Haiku), clip (Cygwin), pbcopy/pbget (MacOS), termux-clipboard-get/termux-clipboard-set (Termux), cb (cross-platform: https://github.com/Slackadays/Clipboard)

(2) colors.sh (by default unset)

(3) find, md5sum, sort, uniq, xargs, sed, stat

(4) The git_status.sh plugin is not intended to be used as a normal plugin, that is, executed via an action name, but rather to be executed as a prompt command (it will be executed immediately before each prompt). Add this line to the main configuration file:


promptcmd /usr/share/clifm/plugins/git_status.sh

Whereas this plugin provides basic Git integration, it could be easily modified (it is just a few lines long) to include whatever git function you might need.

(5) update.sh (by default unset)

(6) feh, xloadimage, hsetroot, or nitrogen (for X); swww or swaybg (for Wayland)

(7) file_picker.sh (by default unset). Usage example: `ls -ld $(file_picker.sh)`

(8) Dependencies: cb, wl-copy, xclip, xsel, pbcopy, termux-clipboard-set, clipboard, or clip. Consult the plugin file itself (xclip.sh) for more information

Dependencies of the previewer plugin (fzfnav.sh)


archives: atool, bsdtar, or tar
images: kitty terminal, imagemagick, and ueberzug or viu or catimg or img2txt or pixterm
fonts: fontpreview or fontforge
docs: libreoffice, catdoc, odt2txt, pandoc
PDF: pdftoppm, pdftotext or mutool
epub: epub-thumbnailer
DjVu: djvulibre or djvutxt
postscript: ghostscript
videos: ffmpegthumbnailer
audio: ffmpeg, mplayer, or mpv
web: w3m, links, elinks, or pandoc
markdown: glow
highlight: bat, highlight, or pygmentize
torrent: transmission-cli
json: python or pq
file info: exiftool, mediainfo, or file

Heavily inspired by Vifm, the autocommands function allows the user a fine-grained control over clifm settings. It is mostly devised as a way to improve performance for remote filesystems (usually slower than local ones) by allowing you to turn off some features (like the file counter) that might greatly affect performance under some circumstances (like remote connections). However, the autocommands function is not restricted to this specific use case: use it for whatever purpose you find useful.

Note: We describe here permanent autocommands, which need to be defined in the configuration file. Temporary autocommands (set via the command line and valid only for the current directory and the current session) are also available via the auto command. See above.

Add a line preceded by the autocmd keyword to the main configuration file. The general syntax is:
autocmd TARGET cmd,cmd,cmd

TARGET specifies the object to which subsequent commands will apply. It can match either directory names (paths) or workspaces.

1. To match directory names use a glob pattern (as specified by glob(7)). If no glob metacharacter is provided, the string will be compared as is to the current working directory. To invert the meaning of a pattern, prepend an exclamation mark. To match all directories under a specific directory (including this directory itself) use the double asterisk (**). A few examples:


~/Downloads Match exactly the Downloads directory (and only this directory) in your home directory
~/Downloads/* Recursively match all subdirectories in ~/Downloads (excluding the Downloads directory itself)
/~/Downloads/** Recursively match all subdirectories in ~/Downloads (including the Downloads directory itself)
~/Downloads/*.d Match all subdirectories in ~/Downloads ending with ".d" (excluding the Downloads directory itself)
!~/Downloads Match everything except the ~/Downloads directory

2. You can match workspaces using the ampersand character (@) followed by the ws keyword and then the workspace number. For example, to match the third workspace: @ws3, or, to match the first workspace, @ws1. To match instead all workspaces except the second one: !@ws2.

TARGET is followed by a comma separated list of commands:

!CMD: The exclamation mark allows you to run shell commands, custom binaries or scripts

The following codes are used to control clifm's file list:


Code Description Example
cs Color scheme cs=zenburn
fc File counter fc=0
ft Files filter ft=.*\.pdf$
fz Recursive dir sizes fz=1
hf,hh Hidden files hf=0
lm Light mode lm=1
lv,ll Long view lv=0
mf Max files mf=100 (1)
mn Max filename length mn=20 (1)
od Only directories od=1
pg Pager pg=0
st Sort method st=5
sr Reverse sort sr=1

To remove a value, set the option to an empty value. For example, to remove the files filter and the color scheme: ft=,cs=

(1) This option supports the unset keyword to remove the corresponding limit. E.g.: mf=unset,mn=unset

Examples


1. Run in light mode and disable the file counter for the remotes directory:(1)
autocmd /media/remotes/** lm=1,fc=0


2. Just a friendly reminder:
autcomd ~/important !printf "Important: keep your fingers outta here!\n" && read -n1


3. This directory has thousands of files. Show only the first hundred and enable the pager:
autocmd /usr/bin mf=100,pg=1


4. Lots of media files (with large filenames). Truncate filenames to 20 chars max and run the files previewer:(2)
autocmd ~/Downloads mn=20,!~/.config/clifm/plugins/fzfnav.sh


5. I want the second workspace, no matter what the current directory is, to list files in long view:
autocmd @ws2 lv=1


6. Mmm, just because I can. Be creative!
autocmd /home/user hf=0,cs=nord,lv=1
autocmd / lv=1,fc=0,cs=solarized,st=5

(1) This is the recommended configuration for remote filesystems.

(2) As seen here, plugins can be used as well: in this case, we want to run fzfnav (to make use of the files preview capability) whenever we enter the Downloads directory, usually containing videos, music, and images. NOTE: If you decide to use a plugin, bear in mind that it will not be able to communicate with clifm, because the autocommand function always executes commands as external applications using the system shell.

Bear in mind that autocmd directives are evaluated from top to bottom, so that subsequent matching entries will overwrite options set by previous entries.

Autocommand notifications

By default, a gray 'A' is printed to the left of the prompt whenever an autocommand is active for the current directory.

The behavior of this indicator can be customized via the InformAutocmd option in the configuration file.

The color code used to colorize this indicator is ac (see the COLORS section above).

Autocommand files: .cfm.in and .cfm.out

To use this feature, you must first set ReadAutocmdFiles to true in the main configuration file. However, bear in mind that autocommand files will never be read if running on an untrusted environment (i.e. if running with --secure-cmds, --secure-env, or --secure-env-full).

Two files are specifically checked by the autocommands function: .cfm.in and .cfm.out (they must be non-empty regular files of at most PATH_MAX (usually 4096) bytes, and no NUL byte must be contained in them).

The content of these files is a single instruction, either a shell command or, if you need more elaborated stuff, a script (or custom binary). Note that codes to modify clifm's settings (as described above) are not available here.

If a directory contains a file named .cfm.in, clifm will execute (via the system shell) its content when entering this directory (before listing files). If the file is named rather .cfm.out, its content will be executed immediately after leaving this directory (and before listing the new directory's content).

For example, if you want a simple notification whenever you enter or leave your home directory, create both .cfm.in and .cfm.out files in the home directory with the following content:

For .cfm.in:
printf "Entering %s ..." "$PWD" && read -n1 && clear

For .cfm.out:
printf "Leaving %s ..." "$OLDPWD" && read -n1

Etiqueta is clifm's builtin files tagging system

1. How does Etiqueta work?

File tags are created via symlinks using a specific directory under the user's profile: ${XDG_CONFIG_DIR:-/home/USER/.config}/clifm/profiles/USER/tags

Every time a new tag is created, a new directory named as the tag itself is created in the tags directory. Tagged files are just symbolic links to the actual files created in the appropriate directory. For example, if you tag ~/myfile.txt as work, a symbolic link to ~/myfile.txt, named myfile.txt will be created in tags/work.

2. Handling file tags

tag is the main Etiqueta command and is used to handle file tags. Its syntax is as follows:


tag [add, del, list, list-full, new, merge, rename, untag] [FILE]... [[:]TAG]

Note: The :TAG notation is used for commands taking both file and tag names: `tag add FILES(s) :TAG ...`, to tag files, and `tag untag :TAG file1 file2`, to untag files. Otherwise, TAG is used (without the leading colon). For example: `tag new docs`, to create a new tag named docs, or `tag del png`, to delete the tag named png.

Both short and long command format can be used:

Short format Long format Description
ta tag add Tag files
td tag del Delete tag(s)
tl tag list List tags or tagged files
tm tag rename Rename tags
tn tag new Create new tag(s)
tu tag untag Untag file(s)
ty tag merge Merge two tags

3. Usage examples

Short format Long format Description
tl tag list List available tags
- tag list-full List available tags and all tagged files
tl work tag list work List all files tagged as work
tl file.txt tag list file.txt List tags applied to the file file.txt
tn dogs cats tag new dogs cats Create two empty tags: dogs and cats
ta *.png :images :png tag add *.png :images :png Tag PNG files as both images and png (1) (2)
ta sel :special tag add sel :special Tag all selected files as special
tr documents docs tag rename documents docs Rename the tag documents as docs
ty png images tag merge png images Merge the tag png into images (3)
td images tag del images Remove the tag images (4)
tu :work file1 dir2 tag untag :work file1 dir2 Untag a few files from work (5)

(1) Tags are created if they do not exist

(2) Since add is the default action, it can be omitted: `tag *.png :images :png`.

(3) All files tagged as png will be now tagged as images, and the png tag will be removed.

(4) Untag all files tagged as images and remove the tag itself

(5) Tab completion is available to complete tagged files. If using the fzf mode, multiple files can be selected using the the TAB key.

4. Operating on tagged files

The t:TAG expression is used to operate on tagged files via any command, be it internal or external. A few examples:

Command Description
p t:docs Print properties of files tagged as docs
r t:images Remove all files tagged as images
stat t:docs t:work Run stat(1) over all files tagged as docs and all files tagged as work

4.1 Operating on specific tagged files

Note: This feature, as always when multi-selection is involved, is only available when tab completion mode is set to fzf. See the TAB COMPLETION section above.

You may not want to operate on all files tagged as some specific tag, say work, but rather on some files tagged as work. Tab completion is used to achieve this aim.

Let's suppose you have a tag named work which contains ten tagged files, but you need to operate (say, print the file properties) only on two of them, say, work1.odt and work2.odt:


p t:work<TAB>

The list of files tagged as work will be displayed via fzf. Now mark the two files you need using the TAB key, press Enter or Right, and the absolute path to both files will be inserted into the command line. So, `p t:work` will be replaced by `p /path/to/work1.odt /path/to/work2.odt`.

Clifm is able to read and list files from the standard input stream (STDIN). Each file in the list should be an absolute path, terminated with a new line character (\n) and stripped from extra characters not belonging to the path itself. The size of the input stream buffer is 262MiB (65536 paths, provided each path takes PATH_MAX bytes (usually 4096)).

Each file passed via standard input is stored as a symbolic link pointing to the original file in a temporary directory (called here virtual directory) with read-only (0500) permissions. This directory, and all its contents, will be deleted at program exit. Use the --virtual-dir command line flag to specify a custom directory (it if does not exist, it will be created) instead of the default one, created in the system temporary directory (usually /tmp/clifm/USER/vdir.XXXXXX, where XXXXXX is a random six digits string).

The user can operate on these files as if they were any other regular file, since all operations performed on these symbolic links (provided the current working directory is the virtual directory where all these files are stored) are performed on the target files and NOT on the symbolic links themselves.

Once in the virtual directory, files are listed by default using only the base name of the target file. For example, if the target file is /home/user/Downloads/myfile.tar.gz, this file will be listed as myfile.tar.gz. If this file already exists in the virtual directory (because there is another target file with the same base name, say, /home/user/Documents/tars/myfile.tar.gz), a random six digits suffix will be appended to the file (for instance, myfile.tar.gz.12Rgj6).

Since this listing mode does not allow the user to get a clear idea of the actual location of each listed file, a keybinding (by default Alt+w) is available to toggle short (base names only) and long filenames: in this latter case, filenames are listed using the absolute path to the target file, replacing slashes by colons (:). For example, if the target file is /home/user/Downloads/myfile.tar.gz, it will be listed in the virtual directory as home:user:Downloads:myfile.tar.gz.

If you prefer the long names approach, you can use the --virtual-dir-full-paths command line flag.

Note: Bear in mind that the restore last path function is disabled when listing in this way.

Clifm provides to ways of using virtual directories:

1. Reading files from the standard input

2. Listing sets of files via the virtualize.sh plugin (which is in fact a special use case of point 1)

1. Standard input

Examples:


ls -Ad /var/* | clifm

This command will pass all files in the directory /var to clifm

If you need to perform more specific queries, you can use find(1) as follows:


find -maxdepth 1 -size +500k -print0 | tr ´\0´ ´\n´ | sed ´s/.//g´ | clifm

The above command will pass all files in the current directory bigger than 500KiB to clifm.

You can also use stream redirection:


ls -Ad $PWD/* > list.txt
clifm < list.txt

2. The virtualization plugin

The virtualize.sh plugin, bound by default to the vt action name, is intended to provide an easy way of listing sets or collections of files, such as selected, tagged, or bookmarked files. For example, to send all selected files to a virtual directory, you can issue this command:


vt sel

and, if you want rather files tagged as PDF:


vt t:PDF

Of course, individual files can also be used:


vt file1 file2 file3

Once executed, the vt plugin will launch a new instance of clifm (on a new terminal emulator window) where you can operate on the specified files as if they were just normal files. Once done, quit this new instance (via the q command) to return to the primary instance of clifm.

Note: By default, the terminal emulator used is xterm(1), but it can be changed by editing the plugin script (virtualize.sh).

When navigating the filesystem, you can quickly go back to the virtual directory using the -d option: `vt -d`. The navigation keys (see the KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS section above) and the CLIFM_VIRTUAL_DIR environment variable are also available (Shift+Left/Shift+Right or `cd $CLIFM_VIRTUAL_DIR`).

Tip: Write an alias to make this even easier:


alias vtd=´cd $CLIFM_VIRTUAL_DIR´

Clifm is by itself quite fast by default, but if speed is still an issue, it is possible to get some extra performance.

The two most time consuming features are:


1) The file counter, used to print the number of files contained by listed directories. Disabling this option produces a nice performance boost.


2) In normal mode, fstatat(3) is used to gather information about listed files. Since this function, especially when executed hundreds (and even thousands) of times, is quite time consuming, the light mode was implemented as an alternative listing process omitting all calls to this function (this does not apply, however, to the long view: since we need to display files information, fstatat(3) is required).

When running in light mode, however, a few features are lost:


1. Only basic file classification is performed, namely, that provided by the d_type field of a dirent struct (see readdir(3)). Bear in mind, nonetheless, that whenever _DIRENT_HAVE_D_TYPE was not set at compile time, or in case of a DT_UNKNOWN value for a given entry (we may be facing a filesystem not returning the d_type value, for example, loop devices), clifm will fall back to stat(3) to get basic files classification.


2. Color per file extension is disabled for performance reasons.


3. The marker for selected files (*) is lost as well: to keep track of selected files and thus recognize them in the current list of files, we make use of files device and inode number, which is provided by fstatat(3).

Besides these two features, a few more things can be disabled to get some extra speed (though perhaps unnoticeable): icons (if enabled), columns, colors, and, if already running without colors, file type indicators. Because listing lots of files could be expensive and time consuming, you can also try to limit the number of files printed for each visited directory (see the mf command above).

Despite the above, however, it is important to bear in mind that listing speed does not only depend on the program´s code and enabled features, but also on the terminal emulator used. Old, basic terminal emulators like Xterm, Aterm, and the kernel builtin console are really slow compared to more modern ones like Urxvt, Lxterminal, ST, and Terminator, to name just a few.

If using Xterm, a nice speed boost is provided by the fast scroll option: set fastScroll to true in your ~/.Xresources file. See xterm(1).

The directory jumper function is designed to learn the navigation habits of the user. The information is stored in a database (see the FILES section below) used to get the best match for a given string provided by the user. In this sense, Kangaroo is like a quick, smart, and evolved cd function.

The information stored in the database, always per directory, is:
a) Permanent entry ('+'): this directory will not be removed from the database, no matter its rank
b) Number of visits
c) Date of first visit (seconds since the Unix epoch)
d) Date of the last visit (seconds since Unix epoch)
e) The absolute path to each visited directory

With this information it is possible to build a ranking of directories to offer the user the most accurate matches for each query string. The matching algorithm takes into account mainly two factors: frequency and recency (which is why this kind of algorithm is often called a frecency algorithm).

After getting an initial list of matches based on the query string(s) entered by the user, the frequency algorithm is applied on each entry in the list. The algorithm is quite simple: (visits * VISIT-CREDIT) / days-since-first-visit. As a result, we get the average of visits per day since the day of the first visit (what we call the directory rank).

Note: VISIT-CREDIT is a hardcoded value: 200.

There are however some further steps in the ranking process: Bonus points.

Extra credits or penalties are assigned based on the directories last access time according to the following simple algorithms:
Within last hour: rank * 4
Within last day: rank * 2
Within last week: rank / 2
More than a week: rank / 4

If the last query string matches the basename of a directory, the entry for this directory has 300 extra credits. This is done simply because users normally use directory basenames as query strings: they are easier to remember.

In the same way, pinned directories get 1000 extra credits, bookmarked directories 500 credits, directories active in a workspace 300 credits, and directories marked as permanent 300 credits.

For example: if the query string is "test", /media/data/test will be matched. Now, if this directory was accessed within the last hour, and its rank was 200, it becomes 800. But, because the search string matches its basename, it gets 300 extra credits, and, if this directory is in addition bookmarked, pinned, and marked as permanent, it gets 1800 extra credits. In this way the total rank of this directory in the matching process is 2900. In doing so, we have more chances of matching what the user actually wanted to match.

Once all entries in the initial list of matches have been filtered via the above procedure and ranked, we can return the best ranked entry. The higher rank a directory has, the more priority it has over the remaining entries in the initial list of matches.

Automatic maintenance is done on the database applying a few simple procedures:


a) If PurgeJumpDB is set to true (see the main configuration file), each entry in the database is checked at startup to remove non-existent directories. This option is set to false by default to avoid removing paths pointing to unmounted filesystems (like removable devices or remote locations) which you still might want to keep. Non-existent directories, however, will be removed soon or later anyway due to their low rank value (see below).


b) Once the rank of a directory falls below MinJumpRank (by default 10), it is forgotten and deleted from the database. The MinJumpRank value can be customized in the configuration file. To make non-frequently visited directories disappear quicker from the database, increase this value. If set to 0, by contrast, directories will never be removed from the database.


c) Once the sum total of ranks reaches MaxJumpTotalRank (by default 100000), each individual rank is divided by a dynamic factor so that the total rank becomes less than or equal to MaxJumpTotalRank. If some rank falls in the process below MinJumpRank (and provided this latter is not 0), it is removed from the database. MaxJumpTotalRank can be modified in the configuration file. The higher the value of MaxJumpTotalRank, the more time directories will be kept in the database.

Note: Directories visited in the last 24 hours, just as pinned, bookmarked directories, and directories currently used in some workspace, will not be removed from the database, no matter what their rank is. In other words, if you want to indefinitely keep a given directory in the jump database, bookmark it, or mark it as permanent (edit the database, via `je` or `j --edit`, and prepend a plus sign (+) to the corresponding entry).

The idea of 'frecency' was, as far as I know, first devised and designed by Mozilla. See https://wiki.mozilla.org/User:Mconnor/Past/PlacesFrecency. However, it is also implemented, though using different algorithms, by different projects like autojump, z.lua, and zoxide.

The following variables are read at initialization time:

If set to any value, clifm will run without colors.
Same as NO_COLOR, but specific to clifm.
Force the use of colors, even if the terminal does not report color support.
Same as CLICOLOR_FORCE, but accepts a specific color value (8, 16, 256, truecolor or 24bit).
If set to either truecolor or 24bit, clifm assumes the terminal emulator to be capable of displaying true colors (and thereby also 256 colors), despite what the terminfo(5) database reports.
A colon separated list of file type color codes in the same form specified above in the COLOR CODES section.
Same as above, but for file extensions.
Same as above, but for different elements of clifm's interface.
A comma separated list of colors used to print timestamps based on age.
Same as CLIFM_DATE_SHADES, but for file sizes.
If running with --preview, or PreviewMaxSize is not set in the configuration file, no preview is generated for files larger that this value. The value must be specified in KiB: for example, 2048 is read as 2 MiB.
A custom file templates directory.
A custom commands history file.
Define a file filter. If set, this variable overrides the Filter option in the configuration file.
Name of the authenticator program. Used by the X command (to launch a new instance of clifm as root), the Alt+v keybinding (to prepend the authenticator program name to the current command line), and for some operations on archives (ISO files). Defaults to sudo (or doas if compiled on OpenBSD). Example: `CLIFM_SUDO_CMD=doas clifm`.

An absolute path to the shell to be used by clifm to run external commands. Only values found in /etc/shells are allowed.

Same as SHELL, but specific to clifm (takes precedence over SHELL).

Path to a directory where temporary files will be created.

Same as TMPDIR, but specific to clifm (takes precedence over TMPDIR).

Terminal type for which output is to be prepared.

A quoted list of options to be passed to fzf (if used for tab completion).
If set from neither --time-style nor TimeStyle (in the configuration file), use this time style for the long view.
Same as TIME_STYLE, but specific to clifm (takes precedence over TIME_STYLE).
If set from neither --ptime-style nor PTimeStyle (in the configuration file), use this time style for the p/pp command and the --stat/--stat-full command line switches.
The number of terminal columns.
The number of terminal lines.
Set a custom mime.types file (instead of the default, ~/.mime.types). Consult the FILE OPENER section form more information.

Path to the configuration directory. By inspecting this variable other programs can find out if they were spawned by clifm. It can also be used to quickly jump to the configuration directory: `cd $CLIFM` or just `$CLIFM`.

Path to the main configuration file (by default ~/.config/clifm/profiles/default/clifmrc).
PID number of clifm's running instance.
Version number of clifm's running instance.
Path to the currently used virtual directory only if (and while) the virtual directory function is exectued. See the VIRTUAL DIRECTORIES section above.

Incremented by one each time a new shell is started.

Same as SHLVL, but specific to clifm.
Current number of selected files.
Current number of trashed files.
Current number of error messages.
Current number of warning messages.
Current number of notice messages.
Current workspace number.
Exit code of the last executed command.
1 if user is root (UID = 0), 0 otherwise.
1 if running in stealth mode, 0 otherwise.
The path to a pipe by means of which plugins can talk to clifm. See the PLUGINS section for more information.
Set to the name of the current color scheme.
Set to 1 if running without colors.
Set to the current workspace number.
Set to 1 if list-dirs-first is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to 1 if files-counter is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to the files filter string. Unset if no files filter is set.
Set to 1 if filter-reverse is set or to 0 otherwise (unset if no files filter is set).
Set to 1 if follow-symlinks is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to 1 if light-mode is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
When running a plugin via a keybinding, this variable holds the content of the current line buffer. For a usage example see the xclip.sh plugin.
Set to 1 if long-view is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to MAX_FILES if max-files is set. Unset otherwise.
Set to 1 if only-dirs is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to the absolute path to the plugins-helper script used by several plugins.
Set to the name of the current profile.
Set to the number of currently selected files (unset if there are no selected files).
Set to the path to the current selection file.
Set to 1-3 if show-hidden is enabled (true, first, last, in this order). Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to 1 if sort-reverse is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.
Set to the current sort method.
Set to the number of currently trashed files (unset if there are no trashed files).
Set to 1 if truncate-names is enabled. Otherwise it is set to 0.

Since clifm executes OS commands, it needs to provide a way to securely run these commands, specially when it comes to untrusted environments. Two features are provided to achieve this aim: secure environment and secure commands.


- HOME, SHELL, and USER are retrieved using getpwuid(3)
- PATH is set consulting _PATH_STDPATH (or _CS_PATH if the former is not available)
- IFS is set to a sane, hard-coded value: " \n\t" (space, new line char, and horizontal TAB)


Net command: a-zA-Z -_.,/=
Prompt, profile, autocommands: a-zA-Z -_.,/"'
Mime command: a-zA-Z -_.,%&

Sequential and conditional execution of commands:

For each of the internal commands (see the COMMANDS section above) you can use the semicolon to execute them sequentially and/or the double ampersand to execute them conditionally. For example: `cmd1; cmd2 && cmd3`.

Though you can use here external commands as well, bear in mind that, whenever at least one internal command is involved in a chained list of commands, clifm will take care of executing this list (simply because the system shell is not able to understand any of these commands), so that no shell inter-process function (like pipes), nor any stream redirection or shell expression (like IF blocks or FOR loops) will be available. However, the shell is still used to run single external commands found in the chained list, but in isolation from the remaining commands in this list.

As a rule of thumb, when using chained commands make sure to always expand ELNs to avoid undesired consequences. If, for instance, you issue this command: `touch aaa && r 3`, you will end up deleting a file you were not intended to delete, simple because after the successful execution of the first command, the ELN 3 corresponds now to a different file.

External commands:

Clifm is not limited to its own set of internal commands, like open, sel, trash, etc. It can run external commands as well, provided external commands are allowed (see the -x option, the ext command, and the ExternalCommands option in the configuration file).

External commands are executed using the system shell (say, /bin/sh), which is specified by clifm as follows:
1. If the CLIFM_SHELL environment variable is set, this value is used.
2. If the SHELL environment variable is set, this value is used.
3. If none of the above, the value is taken from the passwd database (via getpwuid(3)).

The shell is invoked as follows: SHELL -c 'CMD ARG...', for example, `/bin/sh -c 'ls -l'`.

By beginning the external command by a colon or a semicolon (':', ';') you tell clifm not to parse the input string, but instead letting this task to the system shell.

Bear in mind that clifm is not intended to be used as a shell, but as the file manager it is.

Terminal emulators and non-ASCII characters:

It depends on the terminal emulator you use to correctly display non-ASCII characters and characters from the extended ASCII charset. If, for example, you create a filenamed "ñandú" (the Spanish word for ´rhea´), it will be correctly displayed by the Linux console, Lxterminal, and Urxvt, but not thus by more basic terminal emulators like Aterm.

Spaces and filenames:

When dealing with filenames containing spaces, you can use both single and double quotes (e.g.: "this file" or 'this file') plus the backslash character (e.g.: this\ file).

Default profile:

Clifm's default profile is default. To create alternative profiles use the -P command line option or the `pf add` command (see above).

The main configuration file is looked up in these places (and in this order):


1. -c,--config-file switch
2. $CLIFMRC variable
3. $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/clifmrc directory

If $XDG_CONFIG_HOME is not set, $HOME/.config is used instead. If running with secure-environment (using either --secure-cmds, --secure-env, or --secure-env-full) no environment variable is read, so that the home directory is taken instead from the password database (via getpwuid(3)).

PROFILE is by default default (unless set via -P,--profile).

You can access the configuration file either via the config command or pressing F10.

A description for each option in the configuration file can be found in the configuration file itself.

The profile file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/profile.clifm. In this file you can add those commands you want to be executed at startup. You can also permanently set here some custom variables, e.g.: 'dir="/path/to/dir"'. This variable may be used as a shortcut to that directory, for instance: `cd $dir`. Custom variables can also be temporarily defined in the command prompt: E.g.: user@hostname ~ $ var="This is a test". Temporary variables will be removed at program exit. Internal variables are disabled by default; enable them using the --int-vars command line switch.
This file contains prompts definitions and is located in DATADIR/clifm/prompts.clifm. It will be copied automatically to $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/prompts.clifm if it doesn't exist. The Prompt line in the color scheme file should point to one of the prompt names defined in this file. See the PROMPT section for more information.
The keybindings file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/keybindings,cfm. It will be copied from DATADIR/clifm (usually /usr/share/clifm), and if not found, it will be created anew with default values. This file is used to specify the keyboard shortcuts used for some ClifM's functions. The format for each keybinding is always "keyseq:function", where 'keyseq' is an escape sequence in GNU emacs style. A more detailed explanation can be found in the keybindings file itself.
The directory used to store programs or scripts pointed to by actions (in other words, plugins) is DATADIR/clifm/plugins (usually /usr/share/clifm/plugins). To edit these plugins copy them to $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/plugins and edit them to your liking. Plugins in this local directory take precedence over those in the system one.
This directory, $DATADIR/clifm/colors, contains available color schemes (or just themes) as files with a .clifm extension. You can copy these themes to the local colors directory ($XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/colors) and edit them to your liking (or create new themes from the ground up). Themes in the local colors directory take precedence over those in the system directory. You can create as many themes as you want by dropping them into the local colors directory. The default color scheme file (default.clifm) can be used as a guide.
The file used to define custom actions is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/actions.clifm. It will be copied from DATADIR/clifm (usually /usr/share/clifm), and if not found, it will be created anew with default values.
The mimelist file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/mimelist.clifm. It is a list of file types and name/extensions and their associated applications used by lira. It will be copied from DATADIR/clifm (usually /usr/share/clifm).
The preview file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/preview.clifm and is shotgun's configuration file. It makes use of the same syntax used by the mimelist file. It will be copied from DATADIR/clifm (usually /usr/share/clifm).
The bookmarks file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/bookmarks.clifm Just the list of the user's bookmarks used by the bookmarks function.

The history file is ~/.config/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/history.clifm. A list of commands entered by the user and used by the history function.

The commands log file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/cmdlogs.clifm. Command logs keep track of commands entered in the command line. These logs have this form: "[date] current_working_directory:command".
The messages log file is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/msglogs.clifm. Message logs are a record of errors and warnings and have the following form: "[date] message".
The directory jumper database is stored in $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/clifm/profiles/PROFILE/jump.clifm.

Note 1: Always try TAB. Tab completion is available for many things.

Note 2: Suggestions for possible completions are printed next to the text typed so far. To accept the given suggestion press Right (or Alt+f to accept only the first/next suggested word). Otherwise, the suggestion is just ignored.

Get help: F1: manpage F2: keybindings F3: commands

1. NAVIGATION

Command Description
/etc Change directory to /etc (1)
5 Change to the directory whose ELN is 5 (2)
j <TAB> (also dh <TAB>) Navigate through visited directories
j xproj Jump to ~/media/data/docs/work/mike/xproject (3)
b (Shift+Left, Alt+j) Go back in the directory history list
f (Shift+Right, Alt+k) Go forth in the directory history list
.. (Shift+Up, Alt+u) Change to the parent directory
... Change to the parent directory of the current parent directory (4)
bd w Change to the parent directory matching "w" (5)
ws2 (Alt+2) Switch to the second workspace (6)
/*.pdf<TAB> List PDF files (current dir)
=x<TAB> List executable files (current dir) (7)
@gzip<TAB> List files (current dir) whose MIME type includes "gzip"
pin mydir Pin the directory named mydir
, Change to pinned directory
view (Alt+-) Preview files (current dir) (8)
pg (Alt+0) Run MAS, the file pager, on the current directory


(1) `cd /etc` also works


(2) Press TAB to make sure 5 is the file you want, or just pay attention to the suggestion. Press Right to accept the given suggestion


(3) This depends on the database ranking. For more accuracy: `j mike xproj`. Tab completion is available: `j xproj<TAB>`


(4) This is the fastback function: each susequent dot after the two first dots is understood as an extra "/.."


(5) Type `bd <TAB>` to list all parent directories


(6) Alt+[1-4] is available for workspaces 1-4


(7) Type `=<TAB>` to get the list of available file type characters. Consult the FILE FILTERS section above for more information


(8) This feature depends on fzf(1)

2. FILE OPERATIONS

Command Description
myfile.txt Open myfile.txt (with the default associated application)
myfile.txt vi Open myfile.txt using vi (1)
24& Open the file whose ELN is 24 in the background
n myfile mydir/ Create a new file named myfile and a new directory named mydir (2)(3)
p4 Print the properties of the file whose ELN is 4
pc myfile.txt Edit the permission set of the file myfile.txt (use oc to edit ownership)
s *.c Select all c files in the current directory
s /media/*<TAB> Interactively select files in the directory /media (4)
s 1-4 8 19-26 Select multiple files in the current directory by ELN
sb (sel<TAB> or s:<TAB>) List selected files (5)
ds (ds <TAB>) Selectively deselect files using a menu
bm add mydir/ mybm Bookmark the directory mydir/ as mybm
bm mybm (b:mybm) Access the bookmark named mybm (6)
bm del mybm Remove the bookmark named mybm
bm (Alt+b or b:<TAB>) Open the bookmark manager
t 1-3 *.old Trash a few files
u (u <TAB>) Selectively restore trashed files using a menu
t del (t del <TAB>) Selectively remove files from the trash can using a menu
t empty Empty the trash can
ta *.pdf :mypdfs Tag all PDF files in the current directory as mypdfs
p t:mypdfs Print the file properties of all files tagged as mypdfs
/*.pdf Search for all PDF files in the current directory
c sel Copy selected files to the current directory
c *.txt 2 Copy all txt file to the directory whose ELN is 2
r sel Remove all selected files (7)
m4 Rename the file whose ELN is 4 (8)


(1) Use the ow command to select the opening application from a menu: `ow myfile.txt` or `ow myfile.txt <TAB>`


(2) Note the ending slash in the directory name


(3) Since clifm is integrated to the system shell, you can also use any of the shell commands you usually use to create new files. E.g.: `touch myfile` or `nano myfile`


(4) Only for non-standard tab completion: fzf, fnf, smenu


(5) You can also TAB expand the sel keyword: `p sel<TAB>` to list selected files (and optionally mark multiple selected files to operate on)


(6) Type `bm <TAB>` to get the list of available bookmark names


(7) To remove files in bulk use the rr command


(8) To rename files in bulk use the br command

3. MISC

Command Description
hh (Alt+.) Toggle hidden files
ll (Alt+l) Toggle long-view
rf (Enter -on empty line- or Ctrl+l) Clear/refresh the screen
Alt+, Toggle list-directories-only
Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Alt+i Toggle disk usage analyzer mode
!<TAB> Navigate through the command history
config (F10) View/edit the main configuration file
pf set test Change to profile test
actions List available actions/plugins
icons on Want icons?
cs (cs <TAB>) List available color schemes
prompt (prompt <TAB>) List available prompts
q I´m tired, quit

Clifm returns the exit status of the last executed command

Clifm is C99 compliant, and, if compiled with the _BE_POSIX flag, it is POSIX.1-2008 compliant as well. If not, just a single non-POSIX function is used: statx(2) (Linux specific), to get files birth time.

Report at <https://github.com/leo\-arch/clifm/issues>

L. M. Abramovich <leo.clifm@outlook.com>

For additional contributors, run `git shortlog -s` on the clifm.git repository.

April 30, 2025 clifm 1.25
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