pointer
pointer is a free, open-source terminal file manager for Linux and macOS, organized around a two-pane layout with adjustable pane widths and borders.
What pointer is
pointer is a free, open-source terminal file manager for Linux and macOS, organized around a two-pane layout with adjustable pane widths and borders. It previews files with syntax highlighting for more than 20 languages and can show images through kitty, sixel, or w3m terminal protocols. Archives including zip, tar, rar, and 7z can be browsed and edited as virtual directories. For file operations, pointer supports asynchronous copying and moving, with undo for actions such as delete, rename, copy, and permission changes. Remote browsing works over SSH/SFTP. Search tools include filename search, content grep, and extension or regex filters; bookmarks and tabs support navigation. The plugin system binds external commands to keys through JSON manifests, and a file-picker mode can pass files to other tools. The project also describes OpenAI integration and Claude-powered file descriptions and sessions. Linux and macOS binaries are listed for x86_64 and aarch64; building from source requires Rust and Cargo. Pointer is available under the Unlicense, described as public-domain software.
Good
- Two-pane browsing with adjustable widths and borders
- Previews include syntax highlighting and inline images
- Browses and edits several archive formats
- Supports SSH/SFTP remote browsing
- Undo is available for several file operations
Watch out
- No Windows support is listed
- Source builds require Rust and Cargo
- Some optional integrations require separate runtime tools
Who it suits
Pointer suits Linux or macOS users who want a terminal-based file manager with archive browsing, previews, and remote SSH/SFTP access. It may also fit users who want file picking or command plugins for other tools.
Verdict
Pointer combines terminal-based file management with previews, archive handling, remote browsing, and undo for multiple operations. Its listed platforms are Linux and macOS, and source builds require Rust and Cargo.
Plans and prices
From pointer's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Pointer | Free | Unlicense public-domain software · single binary |
The facts
Each one read from pointer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI features
- It lists OpenAI and Claude integrations, including Claude file descriptions and interactive sessions.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Archives
- It browses and edits zip, tar, gz, bz2, xz, rar, and 7z archives as virtual directories.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Archive support
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Configuration and state
- The README places configuration, state, trash, and plugins under ~/.pointer/.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Deletion behavior
- Deletion uses a flag-then-purge flow, and the README says confirmation is enabled by default.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- Rust and Cargo are required to build from source; optional runtime tools include bat, fzf, ImageMagick, pdftotext, git, xclip, locate, navi, and curl.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The latest release lists binaries for Linux x86_64 and aarch64 and macOS x86_64 and aarch64.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Dual-pane layout
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- Its plugin system uses JSON manifests to bind external commands to keys, and scripts receive Pointer context through environment variables.checked 3 Oct 2026
- File handling
- It supports archive browsing, asynchronous copy and move operations, and undo for several file operations.checked 2 Oct 2026
- File operations
- It supports asynchronous copy and move operations and undo for delete, move, rename, copy, symlink, permissions, and bulk rename.checked 3 Oct 2026
- File picker
- It can run in file-picker mode using the --pick=/path option for external tool integration.checked 3 Oct 2026
- File previews
- It includes syntax highlighting for 20+ languages and inline image previews through kitty, sixel, or w3m protocols.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README lists fzf, navi, locate, git, bat, ImageMagick, pdftotext, xclip, and curl as integrations or optional runtime dependencies.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is released under the Unlicense, described on the page as public domain.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Its plugin system uses JSON manifests to bind external commands to keys.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Preview pane
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Product
- Pointer is a Rust terminal file manager and feature clone of RTFM.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- It supports SSH/SFTP remote browsing.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Remote file access
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Search and integrations
- It includes filename search, content grep, extension or regex filtering, and integrations with fzf, navi, and locate.checked 3 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux support
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- macOS support
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
The company
- Maker
- The repository credits Geir Isene as creator.checked 3 Oct 2026
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