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Zeta

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

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Zeta's own site

What Zeta is

Zeta is a free, MIT-licensed terminal file manager for developers, built in Rust. Its dual-pane layout can place views side by side or stacked, with file operations, batch marking and four independent workspaces. An embedded editor provides syntax highlighting, undo and redo, search and live Markdown preview; the integrated terminal opens a native shell. Zeta connects to remote filesystems through SSH and SFTP using passwords, key files or SSH Agent authentication, and supports remote file operations. It checks SSH host keys against known_hosts and shows fingerprints for manual trust on first connection. Git branch and file-status indicators appear alongside a built-in diff viewer. The manager can browse ZIP, tar.gz, tar.bz2 and tar.xz archives as virtual filesystems. Users can select built-in themes, rebind keys, choose icon modes and configure the app with TOML. Zeta can check GitHub releases for updates at startup; checks are enabled by default and configurable. The project’s site documents Linux and Windows, and its embedded terminal requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later. The listed platforms also include macOS.

Who it suits

Zeta is aimed at developers who prefer a keyboard-first, dual-pane file manager. Its SSH/SFTP access, integrated terminal and Git tools may suit people who work with local and remote filesystems.

What it does well

  • Four independent workspaces.
  • Includes an embedded editor and native shell terminal.
  • Supports SSH and SFTP remote file operations.
  • Browses several archive formats as virtual filesystems.
  • MIT-licensed and free.

What to know first

  • The site documents Linux and Windows, not macOS.
  • Windows terminal support requires version 10 1809 or later.

Limits

The free plan costs nothing and is MIT-licensed. On Windows, the embedded terminal requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
ZetaMIT-licensed terminal file manager · Linux and Windows binariesFree

As tzero86.github.io lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the Zeta website.
  2. Choose the binary for Linux or Windows, as documented on the official site.
  3. On Windows, use version 10 1809 or later for the embedded terminal.
  4. Configure themes, key bindings, icon mode, or TOML settings as needed.

Verdict

Zeta combines dual-pane file management with remote access, editing, terminal and Git tools. Its documented platform coverage is Linux and Windows, despite macOS being listed among its platforms.

Questions

How much does Zeta cost?

Zeta is free: the listed plan is free.

Is Zeta open source?

Yes. It is released under the MIT License.

Which platforms are listed?

Linux, macOS, and Windows are listed. The official site documents Linux and Windows.

Does Zeta support remote files?

Yes. It connects to remote filesystems using SSH and SFTP, with password, key file, or SSH Agent authentication.

What does the Windows terminal require?

The embedded terminal requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later.

How can users contact the maker about issues?

The maker invites issue reports and feedback through GitHub.

Facts from Zeta's own pages

Archive browsing
The file manager can browse ZIP, tar.gz, tar.bz2, and tar.xz archives as virtual filesystems. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Archive support
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Customization
Users can choose among built-in themes, rebind keys, select icon modes, and configure Zeta with TOML. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Dual-pane layout
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Editor and preview
The embedded editor provides syntax highlighting, undo and redo, search, and a live Markdown preview. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
File management
It supports side-by-side or stacked panes, file operations, batch marking, and four independent workspaces. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Git integration
It displays branch and file status indicators and includes a built-in Git diff viewer. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Integrated terminal
Zeta opens a native shell in an embedded terminal, with documented support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Intended audience
The maker describes Zeta as a keyboard-first, dual-pane file manager for developers, inspired by Norton Commander. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
License
The project is released under the MIT License. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Linux support
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
macOS support
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Platform limit
The official site documents Linux and Windows, and says Windows 10 version 1809 or later is required for the embedded terminal. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Preview pane
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
Remote file access
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
SSH and SFTP
It connects to remote filesystems using passwords, key files, or SSH Agent authentication and supports remote file operations. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
SSH security
Zeta verifies SSH host keys against known_hosts and presents fingerprints for manual trust on first connection. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Support
The maker invites users to report issues and provide feedback through GitHub. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Updates
Zeta can check GitHub releases for updates at startup, with the checks configurable and enabled by default. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
What it does
Zeta is a dual-pane terminal file manager for developers, built in Rust. · tzero86.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Windows support
Yes · tzero86.github.io, 21 Sept 2026

Where Zeta stands on Freedom251

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