What file management features does Vifm offer?

Vifm is a terminal file manager with a curses interface that gives you Vim-like control over files. If you already use vi or Vim, you can navigate and manage files with familiar keyboard commands instead of learning a new command set. Its main file-management capabilities include one- or two-pane browsing within tabs, several file views, directory comparison, undoable and background operations, advanced filtering and renaming, bookmarks, and a trash feature.

Browsing and layout

Vifm supports a one-pane or two-pane view inside tabs, so you can compare two directories side by side or work in a single pane. Tabs let you keep several locations open at once. The program also remembers your position in previously visited directories, which helps when you return to a folder you were working in.

File views

Files can be displayed in several ways:

• Table view — a conventional column layout.
• Grid view — files arranged in a grid.
• Tree view — a directory tree.
• Miller view — a multi-column view that follows the Miller columns pattern.

You can switch between these depending on whether you want a compact listing or a structural overview.

Operations and safety

Vifm supports undoing, redoing, and backgrounding operations. That means a file operation can be reversed, repeated, or run in the background while you continue browsing. It also offers directory tree comparison, which is useful for spotting differences between two folder structures. A trash feature provides a recoverable place for deleted files rather than immediate permanent removal.

Finding and naming files

Advanced file filtering and renaming capabilities help when you need to narrow a large directory down or rename many files at once. Named bookmarks (tags) let you jump to frequently used locations without typing full paths.

Vim-style interaction

The interface follows Vim conventions: user mappings, a command-line mode with ranges and abbreviations, marks and registers, and scriptable configuration for specific directories. File decorations can be customized by file type or name, and a less-like preview mode with customizable viewers lets you inspect file contents without leaving the manager.

Practical fit

Vifm is cross-platform (GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, Windows, macOS) and UTF-8 aware. It also integrates with GNU Screen and tmux and supports FUSE file systems, remote command execution, and multi-block selection. If your workflow already centers on Vim keybindings and the terminal, these features are designed to fit that environment; if you prefer a graphical file manager, the curses interface is the main trade-off to consider.