broot

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What broot is

broot is a free command-line utility for navigating directories, locating files, and launching commands on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its compact directory view can hide entries matched by .gitignore and .ignore files. Search handles regular expressions, file contents, and combinations of patterns using logical operators. You can find a directory and return to the shell with that location selected. Built-in actions move, copy, remove, and create directories, and shortcuts can be added. Multiple panels and synchronized previews help inspect files; compatible terminals can show images through the Kitty graphics protocol. The :gf command displays Git file statuses, the current branch, upstream commit position, and change statistics. Optional compile features include clipboard and sixel support, while documentation covers PDF and Office previews through transformers. Unix-like systems can communicate through Unix sockets. The MIT-licensed project is available as precompiled binaries or from source.

Who it suits

broot suits command-line users who need directory navigation, file search, file operations, previews, and Git information across Linux, macOS, or Windows.

What it does well

Free for all uses
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Regular-expression and content search
Multiple panels and synchronized previews
Built-in Git status command

What to know first

No free trial is listed
Some previews require optional integrations
Image display needs a compatible terminal

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Broot	Free for all uses · available as precompiled binaries or installable from source	Free

As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

broot combines directory navigation, searching, file operations, previews, and Git details in a terminal tool. Its free availability and broad platform support suit command-line workflows, while some preview features depend on terminal or optional integration support.

Facts from broot's own pages

Client/server: On Unix-like systems, Broot can accept commands from another process or return its current root, using Unix sockets. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Directory view: It gives a compact directory overview and handles .gitignore and .ignore files to hide unwanted entries. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Dual-pane view: Yes · github.com, 24 Sept 2026
File operations: Built-in operations include moving, copying, removing, and creating directories, and users can add shortcuts. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 24 Sept 2026
Git integration: The :gf command displays file statuses, the current branch, upstream commit position, and change statistics. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
License: The GitHub repository lists the MIT license. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Maintainer: Broot is developed by Denys Séguret, also known as Canop or dystroy, with more than 100 contributors. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Maker location: Denys Séguret says he is French and lives in Lyon. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Navigation: Users can search for a directory and return to the shell with that directory selected as the current location. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Optional integrations: Optional compile features include clipboard and sixel support, and the documentation describes PDF and Office previews with transformers. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Panels and preview: Broot supports multiple panels and synchronized file previews; image display uses the Kitty graphics protocol in compatible terminals. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Platforms: The installation page says Broot works on Linux, Mac, and Windows 10 or later; it notes that some systems may require compiling from source or using a third-party repository. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: Broot is a command-line tool for navigating directories, finding files, and launching commands. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Search: Search supports regular expressions, file content searches, and combined patterns with logical operators. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to a Miaou chat room and GitHub issues for questions and bug reports. · dystroy.org, 12 Oct 2026

Where broot stands on Freedom251

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