elio

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What elio is

elio is a free, open-source terminal file manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its interface has Places, Files, and Preview panes, with grid and list views and keyboard and mouse navigation. It previews text, code, documents, archives, media, and other file types; inline image rendering is available in supported terminals. File actions include creating and extracting common archives, finding duplicates, and trashing, restoring, or permanently deleting items. Remote file access is listed.

Shell wrappers for bash, zsh, fish, and Nushell can return the shell to the directory browsed when elio exits. An optional zoxide integration opens a picker based on recorded directory history. elio works without additional preview tools, while optional Poppler, FFmpeg, resvg, and 7-Zip tools add richer previews and archive support. Installation methods include packages for several Linux distributions, Homebrew on macOS, FreeBSD, and Cargo. It can be configured as a file chooser on Linux and FreeBSD. The security policy describes a local file manager that does not run a server or accept remote logins.

Who it suits

It suits people who prefer managing files from a terminal on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It may also fit Linux and FreeBSD users who want a configurable file chooser.

What it does well

Free and open source
Previews many file types
Supports archive creation and extraction
Includes duplicate finding and trash restoration
Shell wrappers can return to the browsed directory

What to know first

Richer previews and archive support may need optional tools
Inline image previews require a supported terminal
File chooser configuration is listed for Linux and FreeBSD

Limits

elio works out of the box, while optional Poppler, FFmpeg, resvg, and 7-Zip tools add richer previews and archive support. Inline image rendering is available in supported terminals.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
elio	No paid plan or usage limits stated on the opened pages	Free

As elio-fm.github.io lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://elio-fm.github.io/.
Choose an installation method listed for your system, such as a Linux package, Homebrew on macOS, FreeBSD, or Cargo.
Launch elio in a terminal and navigate with keyboard or mouse.
Add optional Poppler, FFmpeg, resvg, or 7-Zip tools for richer previews or archive support.
Configure a shell wrapper or optional zoxide integration if you want those features.

Verdict

elio provides terminal-based navigation, previews, and file operations across several systems. It works without optional tools, though some preview and archive capabilities depend on them.

Questions

Is elio free?

Yes. The listed elio plan costs nothing, and the project is open source.

Which operating systems does elio support?

The listed platforms are Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Installation methods are listed for Arch, Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux, macOS through Homebrew, FreeBSD, and Cargo.

Can elio preview images?

It supports inline image rendering in compatible terminals, including Kitty, Ghostty, Rio, Warp, WezTerm, iTerm2, Konsole, foot, and Windows Terminal.

Does elio support archives?

Yes. It supports creating and extracting common archive formats. Optional 7-Zip can add archive support.

Can elio be used as a file chooser?

It can be configured as the file chooser on Linux and FreeBSD.

Does elio run a server or accept remote logins?

Its security policy describes elio as a local terminal file manager that does not run a server or accept remote logins.

Facts from elio's own pages

Archive support: Yes · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Dual-pane layout: No · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
File chooser: elio can be configured as the file chooser on Linux and FreeBSD. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
File operations: It supports creating and extracting common archive formats, duplicate finding, and trashing, restoring, or permanently deleting files. · elio-fm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
File previews: It previews text, code, documents, archives, media, and other file types, with inline image rendering in supported terminals. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Layout and navigation: It has Places, Files, and Preview panes, grid and list views, and supports keyboard and mouse navigation. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Linux support: Yes · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
macOS support: Yes · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Preview dependencies: elio works out of the box, while optional Poppler, FFmpeg, resvg, and 7-Zip tools add richer previews and archive support. · elio-fm, 7 Oct 2026
Preview pane: Yes · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Purpose: elio is a terminal file manager with rich previews, inline images, bulk actions, and trash support. · elio-fm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Remote file access: Yes · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Security reporting: The project asks reporters to use GitHub private vulnerability reporting and says it aims to acknowledge new reports within 7 days. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Security scope: The security policy describes elio as a local terminal file manager that does not run a server, accept remote logins, or intentionally process untrusted network requests. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Shell integration: Shell wrappers for bash, zsh, fish, and Nushell can leave the shell in the directory browsed when elio exits. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Supported systems: The install page lists packages or installation methods for Arch, Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux, macOS through Homebrew, FreeBSD, and Cargo. · elio-fm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Support policy: Security fixes are provided for the latest released version of elio. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Terminal compatibility: Inline image previews are listed as supported in terminals including Kitty, Ghostty, Rio, Warp, WezTerm, iTerm2, Konsole, foot, and Windows Terminal. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Windows support: Yes · elio-fm.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Zoxide integration: An optional zoxide integration opens an interactive picker based on recorded directory history. · elio-fm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026

Where elio stands on Freedom251

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