Runa

What Runa is

Runa is a free terminal file manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its keyboard-driven controls support moving, filtering, copying, and renaming files, as well as managing tabs. A dual-pane layout and preview pane help with browsing and reviewing files. Users can adjust keybindings, colors, and layout in a TOML configuration file. The project describes a multithreaded engine with separate worker threads for I/O, previews, search, and file operations. The optional `fd` tool enables recursive fuzzy search of files and folders; without it, the manager remains usable, but that search is unavailable. The optional `bat` tool can provide syntax-highlighted previews, while built-in preview methods work without it. Installation options include Cargo, Arch Linux AUR, Homebrew, Scoop, precompiled binaries, and building from source. Runa is dual licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0 and is under active development, so configuration options may change. Releases from v0.5.11 onward are described as immutable and include attestations; SHA256 checksums are also provided.

Who it suits

Runa suits people who want to manage files from a keyboard-driven terminal interface on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It may also suit users who want configurable controls and panes, provided they can work with changing configuration options.

Limits

Recursive fuzzy file and folder search requires `fd`; without it, Runa remains usable but notifies users who attempt that search. Configuration options may change while the project is under active development.

Getting started

1. Choose an installation route: Cargo, Arch Linux AUR, Homebrew, Scoop for Windows, a precompiled binary, or building from source.
2. Install Runa using the selected route.
3. Optionally install `fd` for recursive fuzzy search.
4. Optionally use `bat` for syntax-highlighted previews; built-in preview methods remain available without it.
5. Customize keybindings, colors, and layout through a TOML configuration file.

Verdict

Runa brings keyboard-driven file actions, dual panes, previews, and customization to the terminal across three desktop operating systems. Note that recursive fuzzy search depends on `fd`, and configuration options may change while the project remains in active development.