ranger

Free plan Linux

What ranger is

ranger is a free console file manager for browsing directory hierarchies with VI key bindings and a curses interface. Its navigation includes multi-column display, tabs, bookmarks, mouse support, and a dual-pane layout. The included rifle launcher automatically selects a program for a file type, while ranger can change the shell’s directory after exiting. File operations cover creating, copying, deleting, changing permissions, and renaming multiple files at once. Documentation lists selected-file previews, true-color image previews, and video thumbnails. Optional tools can extend previews for images, video, archives, documents, media, and code; examples include ffmpeg, bat, pdftotext, and sqlite3. Configuration files, scripts, and plugins support customization. Installation can use an operating-system package manager, PyPI, pipx, or a source clone, and ranger.py can run without installation. Ranger requires Python with the curses module and a pager such as less. It is released under the GNU General Public License Version 3 and runs on Linux.

Who it suits

ranger suits Linux users who prefer terminal-based file browsing and quick directory switching. It fits Unix-shell workflows that need keyboard navigation, file operations, and optional previews.

What it does well

VI key bindings in a curses interface
Dual-pane and tabbed navigation
Rifle selects programs for file types
Supports batch renaming and permissions changes
Optional tools extend file previews

What to know first

Linux is the only listed platform
Requires Python curses and a pager
Enhanced previews need optional dependencies
Console interface may not suit graphical workflows

Verdict

ranger is a capable terminal file manager with keyboard-driven navigation, file operations, and extensible previews. Its Linux focus and runtime requirements are important considerations before installation.

Facts from ranger's own pages

Batch rename: Yes · ranger.fm, 20 Sept 2026
Customization: The project provides configuration files and examples of scripts and plugins for extending or combining Ranger with other programs. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Dual-pane layout: Yes · ranger.fm, 20 Sept 2026
File launcher: It ships with rifle, a file launcher that automatically selects a program for a file type. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
File launching: It includes rifle, a file launcher that automatically finds a program for a file type. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
File operations: Ranger supports common file operations, including creating, copying, deleting, and changing permissions, as well as renaming multiple files at once. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · ranger.fm, 20 Sept 2026
Installation: The README describes installation through an operating system package manager, PyPI, pipx, or a source clone. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Install options: The README describes installation through an operating-system package manager, PyPI or pipx, and says ranger.py can be run without installation. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Intended use: The README describes its design goals as quick directory switching and filesystem browsing in a console with integration into the Unix shell. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
License: The project repository identifies Ranger’s license as GNU General Public License Version 3. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Navigation: Features include multi-column display, tabs, bookmarks, mouse support, and changing the shell’s directory after Ranger exits. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
Optional integrations: Optional tools can add image, video, archive, document, media, and code previews; listed examples include ffmpeg, bat, pdftotext, and sqlite3. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Optional tools: Enhanced previews can use optional tools including ffmpeg, highlight, bat, pdftotext and archive utilities. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Portable version: Yes · ranger.fm, 20 Sept 2026
Previews: The documentation lists selected-file previews, true-color image previews, and video thumbnails among its features. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
Product: Ranger is a console file manager with VI key bindings and a curses interface for browsing directory hierarchies. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
Requirements: The documentation lists Python and a pager such as less as its main requirements. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The project lists an IRC channel, mailing list, GitHub issue tracker, and direct email as communication or support channels. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026
Tabbed interface: Yes · ranger.fm, 20 Sept 2026
Target use: The project describes its design goals as quick directory switching and file browsing, with a console interface integrated into the Unix shell. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
What it does: Ranger is a console file manager with VI key bindings and a view of the directory hierarchy. · ranger.fm, 9 Oct 2026