# file-browser(3)

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## NAME

file-browser - Browse the file system file-browser-close - Close the file-browser file-browser-swap-buffers - Swap between file-browser windows

## SYNOPSIS

n file-browser (f10)
file-browser-close
file-browser-swap-buffers

## DESCRIPTION

file-browser can be used to browse around the file system. When first executed file-browser creates 2 buffers, "`*directory*`" displaying the directory structure and "`*files*`" listing the files in the current directory with information on each file. file-browser displays these buffers side by side, splitting the current window horizontally if required. file-browser uses a single window only when invoked with a numerical argument n of zero (0).

Once open the user can browse through the system using the following keys in the `*directory*` buffer, use esc-h for help within the buffer:

`space`

Selects the directory on the current line and up-dates the `*files*` buffer with the information on this directory. This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button on the directory name.

`return`

Selects the directory on the current line, if open (sub-directories displayed) then closes it or if closed it is opened. The `*files*` buffer is up-dated with the information on the directory. This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button on the '`+`' or '`-`' symbol just before the directory name.

`C-return`

As with `return` expect sub-directories are recursively opened or closed, note that this could take some time on large file systems. This can also be done by clicking the right mouse button on the '`+`' or '`-`' symbol just before the directory name.

`tab`

Move to the `*files*` buffer.

`f10`

Closes file-browser.

The following keys can be used in the `*files*` buffer:

`return`

If the current line is a directory, this because the current directory, updating both the `*directory*` and `*files*` buffers. If the line is a file then it is opened using find-file(2). This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button on the file name.

Where a file-tool open action has been defined using file-tool-setup(3) then the selected tool or utility is run to process the file. This may be used to launch viewers for PDF, image files etc.

`space`

Toggles the tag state of the file on the current line, see `x` command. This can also be done by clicking the left mouse button anywhere before the file name, or for multiple files drag a region with the left mouse button.

`X` or `x`

Executes a shell-command(2) on all tagged files. The user is prompted for the command line which can contain the following special tokens:

`%p` Full file name, including path.
`%f` The file name without the path.

As the shell-command is executed in the directory `%f` is safe to use in a command such as "`del %f`".

`D` or `d` or `delete`

Delete selected files or current file/directory.

`tab`

Move to the `*directory*` buffer.

`backspace`

Move to the parent directory.

`l`

Refresh the listing from the file system.

`f`

Toggle the filter, enables/disables the display of back-up, object files etc.

`S`

Initiates a search for files, at the command prompt then enter the leading characters to search for use C-s and C-r to search forwards or backwards respectively. The `s` version of this command is an incremental search and is easier to use.

`s`

Launch an incremental search by name, at the prompt enter the search characters, use C-s and C-r to search forwards or backwards respectively.

`1`

Sort list by selected state.

`2`

Sort list by attribute.

`3`

Sort list by size.

`4`

Sort list by modified time.

`5`

Sort list by name.

`6`

Sort list by extension.

`space` or `+`

Select file.

`-`

Unselect file.

`*`

Invert selection.

`a`

Select all.

`u`

Unselect all.

`e`

Edit file, opens the file in the editor for modification.

`i`

Edit selected file, opens all of the selected file in the editor for modification.

`v`

View file, opens file for viewing only (write protected).

`r`

Rename file or directory, command line prompt for the new name.

`c`

Copy file(s) and/or directory(s), command line prompt for directory to copy file(s).

`m`

Move file(s) and/or directory(s), command line prompt for directory to move file(s).

`n`

Create a new directory (or folder), command line prompt for the name of the new directory to create.

`t`

Invokes the file tools menu to process the file, see file-tool-setup(3).

file-browser-swap-buffers swaps between the `*directory*` and `*file*` windows, making the other the current window, this is usually locally bound to the `tab` key.

file-browser-close hides both the `*directory*` and `*file*` windows, closing the file-browser, this is usually locally bound to the `f10` key. Note that this command is hidden and will not complete on the command line, but may be bound or input explicitly.

## HISTORY

The command line mapping was revised in the 2006 release for a more logical key to file operation mapping.

## SEE ALSO

directory-tree(2), file-tool-setup(3), find-file(2), find-zfile(3), shell-command(2).

(c) Copyright JASSPA 2009
Last Modified: 2009/08/29
Generated On: 2009/10/12

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