Freedom251 › Photo Viewer Software
vimiv
What vimiv is
vimiv is a free Linux image viewer built around vim-like keybindings. It provides a library browser and thumbnail grid for navigating images, with basic rotation and flipping plus a manipulate mode for brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and lightness. Users can mark images and save named selections as tags. Its command line includes tab and path completion and pattern matching, including recursive matching with **. Keybindings, settings, and appearance can be customized; the Qt port also supports custom styles and statusbar modules. Python module plugins can add support for image formats, metadata, and printing. Selected images can open in external applications, and marked images can be passed to tools such as ImageMagick. The Qt version can reload when an image or directory changes outside the application, and a read_only setting disables commands that may write to disk. Documented installation routes include Arch Linux AUR, Fedora repositories, pip, and manual installation. Requirements include Python 3.8 or newer and Qt 6.2 or newer, or Qt 5.15 or newer. The maker describes the Qt port as vimiv's future, while recommending the older Gtk version when greater stability is needed.
Who it suits
vimiv suits Linux users who prefer vim-like navigation and want an image browser with basic adjustments, tagging, and customizable commands. Users who prioritize greater stability may prefer the older Gtk version, according to the maker.
What it does well
- Free software under GPL v3 or later.
- Thumbnail grid and library browser for image navigation.
- Supports Python plugins for formats, metadata, and printing.
- Read-only setting disables commands that may write to disk.
What to know first
- Linux only.
- Requires Python 3.8 or newer.
- Requires Qt 6.2 or newer, or Qt 5.15 or newer.
- Maker recommends the older Gtk version for greater stability.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| vimiv | Free software · GPL v3 or later | Free |
As karlch.github.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
vimiv offers image browsing and basic adjustments through a customizable, keyboard-oriented interface. Check the Python and Qt requirements, and note the maker's stability caveat about the Qt port.
Facts from vimiv's own pages
- Automatic reload
- The Qt version can automatically reload when an image or directory changes outside the application. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Command interface
- Its command line has tab completion, path completion, and pattern matching, including recursive matching with **. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Keybindings, settings, and appearance can be customized, and the Qt port supports custom styles and statusbar modules. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- External tools
- Commands can open the selected image in an external application, and marked images can be passed to tools such as ImageMagick. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Image browsing
- It provides a library browser and a navigable grid of image thumbnails. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Image editing
- Basic operations include rotating and flipping images, while manipulate mode supports brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and lightness adjustments. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The maker documents installation through Arch Linux AUR, Fedora repositories, pip, and manual installation. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Users can mark images and save named selections as tags for later use. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Vimiv supports Python module plugins, including plugins for additional image formats, metadata, and printing. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The maker describes the Qt port as vimiv's future and says new features will be implemented there; the older Gtk version is recommended when greater stability is required. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Vimiv is an image viewer with vim-like keybindings. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Read-only mode
- A read_only setting disables commands that may write changes to disk. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The documented dependencies include Python 3.8 or newer and Qt 6.2 or newer or Qt 5.15 or newer; SVG and metadata support have optional dependencies. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can ask for help or report bugs by opening a GitHub issue or contacting the maintainer by email. · karlch.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Where vimiv stands on Freedom251
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