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Dynamic File Manager

Dynamic File Manager (dfm) is a free, open-source Linux file manager with a text interface built on ncurses.

Place
#23 of 29
Score
6.1
Dynamic File Manager's website

What Dynamic File Manager is

Dynamic File Manager (dfm) is a free, open-source Linux file manager with a text interface built on ncurses. Inspired by ranger, it aims for a simpler interface and low memory and CPU use. It uses inotify to keep the current directory view updated and remembers the last selected file in each directory. A regular-expression filter can narrow the view to selected file types or hide dot-files. File opening, copying, moving, and deletion are handled by external scripts, which users can customize along with shell behavior; key bindings can be configured globally or per user. Multiple instances can share a clipboard if DFM_CLIPBOARD_DIR points to a writable directory. Archive browsing uses FUSE and requires archivemount, rar2fs, and the file utility. Building dfm requires wide-character-enabled ncurses. The repository identifies its license as ISC, and its GitHub releases page lists no releases. The project provides no paid plans stated in the listed plan information.

Good

  • Free and open source under ISC.
  • Filters files with regular expressions.
  • Remembers the last selected file per directory.
  • Handlers and key bindings are configurable.
  • Multiple instances can share a clipboard.

Watch out

  • Linux only.
  • Archive browsing needs additional dependencies.
  • Building requires wide-character-enabled ncurses.
  • No releases are listed on GitHub.

Who it suits

dfm may suit Linux users who prefer a terminal-based file manager and want configurable handlers, filtering, and key bindings. Archive browsing is relevant to users able to install its listed dependencies.

Verdict

dfm offers a lightweight-oriented terminal file-management approach with customizable actions and filters. Consider its build requirement and extra archive dependencies before choosing it.

Plans and prices

From Dynamic File Manager's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Dynamic File ManagerFreeNo paid plans stated; build from source

The facts

Each one read from Dynamic File Manager's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Archive browsing
Archive browsing uses FUSE and temporarily mounts archives while another dfm instance runs in the mount point.checked 11 Oct 2026
Archive dependencies
Archive support requires archivemount and rar2fs, and the file utility is needed to distinguish .rar files from other archives.checked 11 Oct 2026
Archive support
Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
Build requirement
Building dfm requires wide-char enabled ncurses.checked 11 Oct 2026
Clipboard
Multiple instances can share a clipboard when DFM_CLIPBOARD_DIR is set to a writable directory.checked 11 Oct 2026
Configuration
Key bindings can be configured globally in /etc/xdg/dfm/rc or per user in ~/.config/dfm/rc.checked 11 Oct 2026
Customization
Open, copy, move, delete, and shell behavior can be customized through handler scripts.checked 11 Oct 2026
Design goal
The project aims for a simpler user interface and low memory footprint and CPU usage.checked 11 Oct 2026
Directory updates
It uses inotify to keep the current directory view accurate.checked 11 Oct 2026
File actions
Open, copy, move, and delete actions are delegated to external scripts; the default scripts use see (run-mailcap), cp, mv, and rm.checked 11 Oct 2026
Filtering
A regular-expression filtered view can show selected file types or exclude dot-files.checked 11 Oct 2026
License
The repository identifies its license as ISC.checked 11 Oct 2026
Maintainer location
The GitHub profile for Christian Glindkamp lists Berlin, Germany.checked 11 Oct 2026
Navigation
The program remembers the last selected file in each directory to help users return to previously visited paths.checked 11 Oct 2026
Product
Dynamic File Manager (dfm) is a simple ncurses based file manager inspired by ranger.checked 11 Oct 2026
Release availability
The GitHub releases page states that there are no releases listed.checked 11 Oct 2026
Shared clipboard
Multiple instances can share a clipboard when DFM_CLIPBOARD_DIR points to a writable directory.checked 11 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux support
Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026

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