far2l

What far2l is
far2l is a file manager project that ports FAR Manager v2 to Linux. The project also lists macOS support, while Windows support is marked absent. Users can choose graphical wxWidgets or SDL interfaces, or terminal backends; dependencies and keyboard support vary by backend. The free software is identified as GNU/GPLv2, and the project describes it as beta software to use at your own risk. It recommends using a stable release tag because the master branch is considered unstable.
The NetRocks plugin enables remote access over SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, and AWS S3. Other listed plugins handle archives, file comparisons, a calculator, image viewing, Git gutter, and text transformations. Python scripting is available when built with the required Python development packages. Installation options documented by the project include Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew, source builds, and Docker. The compact Homebrew TTY build omits Python plugin support and SMB in NetRocks. The project lists English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian as valid translations; other languages need substantial correction.
Who it suits
far2l may suit Linux or macOS users who want a free file manager with terminal or graphical interfaces and plugin-based file and remote-access tools. It is also relevant to users who can work with beta software and choose a supported installation route for their system.
What it does well
- Free GNU/GPLv2 software.
- Available with graphical and terminal backends.
- NetRocks supports SFTP, SCP, FTP, SMB, WebDAV, and AWS S3.
- Listed plugins include archive handling, file comparison, and image viewing.
- Installation options include packages, Homebrew, source builds, and Docker.
What to know first
- The project labels the software beta and says to use it at your own risk.
- Windows support is marked absent.
- The compact Homebrew TTY build lacks Python plugins and SMB in NetRocks.
- Translations beyond English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian need substantial correction.
Limits
The compact Homebrew TTY build does not support Python plugins or SMB in NetRocks. Python plugin support otherwise requires a build with the necessary Python development packages.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| far2l | GNU/GPLv2 · beta version · use at your own risk | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the far2l project repository.
- Choose a documented installation route: Debian or Ubuntu package, Homebrew, source build, or Docker.
- Select a graphical or terminal backend.
- For Python plugin support, build with the required Python development packages.
- Consider checking out a stable release tag because the master branch is considered unstable.
Verdict
Choose far2l if you want a free FAR Manager v2 port for Linux or macOS and value its backend and plugin choices. Look elsewhere if you need Windows support or do not want to use software described as beta.
Questions
How much does far2l cost?
The listed plan is free.
Which operating systems are supported?
Linux and macOS are listed as supported; Windows support is marked no. The project also says it works on BSD, which is not regularly tested.
Is far2l open source?
The repository identifies it as GNU/GPLv2 software.
What remote access options are available?
NetRocks supports SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, and AWS S3.
Can far2l run Python plugins?
Optional Python plugin support is available when built with the required Python development packages. The compact Homebrew TTY build does not support Python plugins.
How can I install far2l?
Documented options include Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew, source builds, and Docker.
Facts from far2l's own pages
- Archive support
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Build stability
- The project advises checking out a stable release tag because the master branch is considered unstable. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Compact build limit
- The compact Homebrew TTY build does not support Python plugins or SMB in NetRocks. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README documents Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew, source builds, and Docker as installation options. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README describes Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew installation, macOS releases, Docker usage and community maintained packages. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- File operations
- The README lists plugins including archive handling, file comparison, image viewing, and text transformations. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- File transfer and network access
- Its NetRocks plugin supports SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV and AWS S3. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Integration
- The README lists compatible terminals and SSH clients, including kitty, Alacritty, Rio, Ghostty, WezTerm, iTerm2 and Windows Terminal. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The project says only English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian translations are valid; other languages need substantial correction. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The README identifies the license as GNU/GPLv2. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- macOS support
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Other features
- Listed working plugins include archive handling, file comparison, a calculator, image viewing, Git gutter, Python scripting and text transformations. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Other operating systems
- The project says far2l also works on macOS and BSD, though BSD is not regularly tested. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Packaging limitation
- The compact Homebrew TTY version has no Python plugin support and lacks SMB in NetRocks because of its dependency size. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The project describes Linux as its primary platform and says it also works on macOS and BSD, though BSD is not regularly tested. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The README labels the project a beta version and says to use it at your own risk. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- far2l is a Linux fork of FAR Manager v2. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- Its NetRocks plugin supports SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, and AWS S3. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Remote file access
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Scripting
- Optional Python plugin support is available when built with the required Python development packages. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Status
- The project describes itself as a beta version and says to use it at your own risk. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Terminal integrations
- The README lists compatible terminals and SSH clients, including kitty, Alacritty, iTerm2, Windows Terminal, and supported PuTTY forks. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Where far2l stands on Freedom251
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