Broot

Broot is a terminal directory browser that combines file search and operations with previews and Git status. It is best suited to people who do regular file work from the command line and want more context than a basic tree or file list provides. Its range is a strong fit for active project folders, though it stops short of archive handling.

Overview

Broot brings directory navigation, search, file operations, previews, and Git status into one terminal tool. It can return you to the shell with a selected directory as the current location, making it useful when browsing is just one step in a command-line task. The trade-off is a terminal-centered workflow that will not suit readers seeking a graphical file manager.

Key features

Directory overviews account for .gitignore and .ignore files, while search combines relevance ranking, regular expressions, content matching, and logical operators. That makes Broot more capable than name-only lookup when working through large or unfamiliar directories.

Move, copy, remove, and mkdir operations are built in, and users can add shortcuts. Multiple panels support navigation and transfers between locations, with customizable colors. A staging area can apply commands to several files together, reducing repetitive work when handling batches.

Synchronized preview panels keep file context alongside navigation. Transformers can display PDF and Office files, and high-resolution images can be shown through Kitty's graphics protocol in Kitty and WezTerm. These previews make browsing more informative, but Broot does not support archives.

Sorting by size or date and whale-spotting mode help locate space-consuming files and folders; sizes, dates, and file counts are calculated in the background. Git views add file states, branch name, upstream divergence, and change statistics, which is particularly useful in repositories. Client-server mode lets another process control Broot or query its state, but relies on Unix sockets and is limited to Unix-like systems.

Pricing

Broot is free: its MIT-licensed plan costs nothing and includes source code and precompiled binaries. There are no paid tiers to weigh against that plan. The MIT License permits use, modification, distribution, and commercial use subject to its conditions.

Platforms

Broot supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its client-server mode is the notable platform caveat: that feature is available only on Unix-like systems, so Windows users do not get the same process-control option.

Who it's for

Choose Broot if you work in a terminal and want search, file management, previews, storage clues, and Git context in the same directory workflow. It is especially compelling for people who move between browsing and shell commands or routinely manage project files. Look elsewhere if archive browsing is essential or if you need client-server control on Windows.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Search supports content, relevance, regular expressions, and logical operators, giving users several ways to narrow large directories.
• Pro: Multi-panel operations, staging, and built-in file actions support batch work without leaving the tool.
• Pro: Git status and storage-analysis views add useful project and disk context while browsing.
• Con: Archive support is absent, leaving archive-based workflows outside its scope.
• Con: Client-server mode is restricted to Unix-like systems, excluding Windows from that capability.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse the Terminal File Managers category.

• Rat Commander is a free, self-contained terminal file manager with no paid tiers or usage limits stated; consider it if that simpler profile is a better fit.
• nnn is a free, open-source terminal file manager for Android as well as desktop platforms, making it an option if Android support matters.
• FileManagerTUI is free, MIT-licensed software offered as-is without warranty; consider it if those terms suit your priorities.
• Clifm is a free terminal file manager under GPL version 2 or later, and supports Android alongside Linux and macOS.
• elio is a free option that supports self-hosted setups as well as Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• Newt is free software for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• pointer is a free single-binary option for Linux and macOS, released into the public domain under the Unlicense.
• Runa is a free terminal file manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Verdict

Broot is a strong choice for command-line users who want directory navigation to include serious search, file operations, previews, and Git context without adding a software cost. Its broad toolkit is the main reason to choose it; absent archive support and Unix-only client-server mode are the clearest reasons to look elsewhere.