Open source alternative to Directory Opus
Last verified
Manage files in the terminal with a polished TUI, multi-panel views, fuzzy search, and 20+ built-in themes. MIT licensed, runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Superfile fits a terminal-first workflow without requiring a context switch to a GUI file manager. The multi-panel layout and keyboard-driven operations handle tasks like copying build artifacts across directories, navigating deployment configs, or cleaning up log directories.
If you primarily manage remote filesystems over SSH on headless servers, a tool with better remote protocol support may fit better.
With 20+ built-in themes and fully remappable hotkeys, Superfile integrates into any terminal setup. Users building a Catppuccin, Nord, or Gruvbox aesthetic can match Superfile to their existing color scheme without custom configuration.
If you prefer the smallest possible binary footprint and no visual polish, lighter alternatives like nnn or lf use less memory and start faster.
The multi-panel layout and bulk operations make repetitive file management tasks faster. Fuzzy search reduces manual directory navigation, and image preview avoids opening a separate viewer to verify file contents before moving or deleting.
If your file management needs are primarily remote (SFTP, S3, or cloud storage), Superfile does not include remote protocol support.
File management in the terminal typically forces a choice between two frustrating paths. Staying in the shell means using bare ls, cp, mv, and rm commands without visual context, multi-pane layout, or feedback when moving large numbers of files. Opening a GUI file manager like Finder or Windows Explorer breaks the keyboard-centric flow that most terminal work depends on.
For developers who spend extended periods in the terminal, these context switches compound. Tasks that take seconds with a visual file manager, like renaming a batch of files, comparing two directory trees side by side, or previewing an image before deciding to move it, require either memorized commands, custom scripts, or a GUI round trip.
Split the terminal view into multiple directory panes simultaneously. Copy and paste files across panels with a few keystrokes, which makes side-by-side directory management and bulk transfers faster than switching between separate terminal windows.
Copy, move, delete, rename, and run bulk operations on selected files from the keyboard. Fuzzy search locates files by name across the current directory tree, and image preview lets you verify file contents before acting on them.
Ships with over 20 themes including Catppuccin, Nord, Tokyo Night, Dracula, Gruvbox, and Rose Pine. Every border, color, and UI element is theme-configurable, so Superfile fits any terminal color scheme without custom work.
Every key binding can be remapped in the config file. The README notes that vim and nvim users should switch to the vim hotkey profile for comfortable navigation. The full remapping surface is documented at superfile.dev.
Extend Superfile with community plugins: Git status integration shows repository state in the file panel, system monitoring surfaces resource usage, and custom commands let you wire any workflow into the file manager.
Path Finder is a paid macOS file manager ($36 license) aimed at power users and developers. Both tools target developers who need more than the default OS file manager, but they serve completely different workflows.
| Feature | Superfile | Path Finder |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Proprietary |
| Price | Free | $36 one-time (macOS only) |
| Interface | Terminal (TUI) | GUI |
| Platform support | macOS, Linux, Windows (partial) | macOS only |
| Plugin system | Community-contributed | Built-in extensions |
Superfile is the better fit when your workflow is entirely terminal-based. If you spend your day in a shell and want to handle file operations without switching to a GUI, Superfile keeps you keyboard-driven. Path Finder's strengths are tight macOS integration, tabbed browsing, folder comparison with diff output, and a built-in FTP/SFTP client. If you regularly need GUI previews, drag-and-drop, or direct macOS system integration, Path Finder is the stronger option.
Total Commander is a paid dual-pane file manager for Windows ($28 shareware) with decades of development. It covers remote protocols (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV), archive handling, and a plugin ecosystem that has grown over many years.
| Feature | Superfile | Total Commander |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Proprietary (shareware) |
| Price | Free | $28 |
| Platform | macOS, Linux, Windows (partial) | Windows only |
| Remote protocols | No | FTP, SFTP, WebDAV |
| Plugin maturity | Community, active since 2024 | Extensive, 25+ years |
Total Commander is the stronger choice for Windows-primary users who need remote file management and a mature plugin ecosystem. Superfile is better for developers on macOS or Linux who want a modern TUI with active development and visual polish, and whose file management stays local.
Superfile installs on macOS and Linux via a setup script; Homebrew is also available on macOS.
```bash
bash -c "$(curl -sLo- https://superfile.dev/install.sh)"
```
```bash
brew install superfile
```Yes. Superfile is MIT licensed and runs as a local binary with no cloud component, subscription, or usage fee. You can use it commercially, modify it, and distribute it with no restrictions under the MIT license.
Partial support. The README marks Windows as not fully supported yet. macOS and Linux have full support. Windows users can install via Winget (winget install --id yorukot.superfile) or Scoop, but should verify their specific use case works before depending on it.
On macOS or Linux, run the install script with bash -c "$(curl -sLo- https://superfile.dev/install.sh)" or use Homebrew: brew install superfile. On Windows, use Winget or Scoop. After install, launch Superfile by typing spf in your terminal.
Yes. Superfile ships with 20+ built-in themes including Catppuccin, Nord, Tokyo Night, Dracula, Gruvbox, and Rose Pine. Every hotkey can be remapped in the config file. The full customization surface is documented at superfile.dev.
Community plugins add Git status integration, system monitoring, and custom command support to the file panel. The full plugin list is on the project wiki at superfile.dev/list/plugin-list. Plugin quality varies by maintainer, so review each plugin's documentation before installing.
Alternative toSolid Explorer
Dual-pane file manager for Android, Android TV, and Windows
Alternative to
CleanMyMac X
Mac cleaner, app uninstaller, disk analyzer, and system monitor
Read-only Windows diagnostics with a local AI assistant.
Alternative to
iStat Menus
One menu bar icon replacing a dozen paid macOS apps
Alternative to
Astrill VPN
Open source proxy core with XTLS, VLESS, and REALITY protocols
Free Steam idler for trading cards, hours and achievements
Featured
Alternative to
Grok Bot
AI teammates you own: your keys, your model, your machine.
Alternative toClaude Managed Agents
Open-source agent deployment API. Self-host or use Omnara Cloud.
Alternative to
Superhuman
AI email assistant that drafts replies and clears your inbox
The projects we add and every new guide. Free, unsubscribe any time.
Claude Code to 
OpenCode
Jira to 
Windshift
Notion to 
AppFlowy
Slack to 
Mattermost
Linear to 
GitLab
Wispr Flow to 
Handy
CapCut to 
Concat
Grok Bot to 
rakazo
Superhuman to 
Inbox Zero
Airtable to 
AITable
Muse to 
OpenClaw
GitHub Copilot to 
Cline
Datadog to 
Netdata
Microsoft Teams to 
Rocket.Chat
Pinecone to 
Qdrant
Zapier to 
n8n
Devin AI to 
OpenHands
Firebase to 
Supabase
1Password to 
KeePassXCConfluence to 
Docmost
Contentful to 
Strapi
Adobe Premiere Pro to 
Shotcut
ChatGPT to 
AnythingLLM
LangSmith to 
Langfuse
