sayanarijitDeveloper tools

xplr

A scriptable terminal TUI file explorer that provides a keyboard-driven visual layer for filesystem workflows, command-line tools, plugins, and integrations.

  • Backend
  • DevOps
  • Productivity
  • Automation
  • CLI
  • Linux
  • Runs locally
xplr screenshot
Popularity
4.8k Stars
GitHub stars
Recent activity
9/23/2026
Updated in the last 30 days
License
MIT
Permissive

Why it matters

We look beyond stars: what problem it solves, whether it creates real utility, and what makes its approach worth noticing.

Last 90 days

Problem

Addresses the need for a keyboard-driven, scriptable terminal file browser that integrates various command-line file utilities.

Practical value

Functions as a TUI file manager that works alongside existing command-line tools via plugins and scripts.

Innovation / differentiation

Connects disparate command-line utilities through scriptable keybindings and a real-time visual interface while remaining lightweight.

Leverage potential

Relies on the existing terminal ecosystem and command-line utilities as backend capabilities, offering extensibility through plugins.

Why now

TUI tools maintain steady demand among specific developer segments, with ongoing project maintenance and documentation.

Community activity

In the last 90 days there were 1 new issues and 15 pull requests; the bounded issue/PR samples include 1 issue authors and 5 PR contributors, with at least 2 releases.

Maintainer responsiveness

The 1-issue window sample had a 100% close rate, and the 15-pull-request sample had a 87% merge rate. Maintainer-comment observations covered only 100% of that issue sample, so response rate and first-response speed are not reported.

5 contributors in PR sampleAt least 2 releasesPR merge rate 87% · 15 sampled in window

Key highlights

  • Browse files through a real-time terminal TUI with keyboard controls
  • Customize layouts, key bindings, and scripted behavior
  • Extend workflows with plugins, hacks, and third-party CLI integrations

Quick start

How it is installed, how hard it is, and where to start.

Where it runs

Runs locally

Difficulty

Medium — some setup needed

Runs locally
  1. 01Choose the package or installation method for your system from the xplr installation documentation.
  2. 02Run xplr in a terminal and learn the default directory-navigation and file-selection controls.
  3. 03Adjust key bindings and layouts to match your terminal workflow.
  4. 04Then add the external CLI tools you need from the documented plugins, hacks, and integrations.

Best for

  • Developers who want to try it on their machine

Watch outs

  • 2 inferred from materials — review under Sources below

More about it

xplr is a terminal-based TUI file explorer. It is not intended to replace shell commands or desktop file managers; instead, it provides an interactive, keyboard-driven visual layer over existing filesystem tooling. Users can navigate directories, select files, and hand subsequent operations to existing CLI programs or custom scripts.

The project keeps its core minimal and emphasizes customization. Its documentation covers layouts, key bindings, plugins, community hacks, and integrations. It suits users who already work in terminals but want more visible feedback for file navigation, batch operations, and command orchestration.

The README explicitly positions xplr as an integration surface rather than a replacement for standard commands, so much of its value comes from combining it with the rest of a terminal toolchain.

Sources

Each field shows its status and source — expand to review.

13 · Expand
  • capability tags

    Verified

    productivity, automation

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • editor note

    Verified

    {"en":"xplr is less about recreating a desktop file manager in the terminal and more about turning file selection, navigation, and follow-up commands into an orchestrated interface. It is most useful for keyboard-heavy users whose workflows already depend on CLI tools.","zh":"xplr 的重点不是“在终端里复刻 Finder”,而是让文件选择、导航和后续命令形成一套可编排界面。对键盘流和 CLI 工具链较重的用户,它比普通 `ls/cd` 更容易组织复杂文件操作。"}

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • how to use

    Verified

    {"steps":[{"en":"Choose the package or installation method for your system from the xplr installation documentation.","zh":"按照 xplr 官方安装页选择适合当前系统的软件包或安装方式。"},{"en":"Run `xplr` in a terminal and learn the default directory-navigation and file-selection controls.","zh":"在终端运行 `xplr`,先熟悉默认的目录导航和文件选择方式。"},{"en":"Adjust key bindings and layouts to match your terminal workflow.","zh":"根据使用习惯修改键位和布局。"},{"en":"Then add the external CLI tools you need from the documented plugins, hacks, and integrations.","zh":"再从官方插件、Hacks 和 Integrations 列表接入需要的外部 CLI 工具。"}],"installAt":"local","difficulty":"medium"}

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • intro

    Verified

    {"en":"xplr is a terminal-based TUI file explorer. It is not intended to replace shell commands or desktop file managers; instead, it provides an interactive, keyboard-driven visual layer over existing filesystem tooling. Users can navigate directories, select files, and hand subsequent operations to existing CLI programs or custom scripts.\n\nThe project keeps its core minimal and emphasizes customization. Its documentation covers layouts, key bindings, plugins, community hacks, and integrations. It suits users who already work in terminals but want more visible feedback for file navigation, batch operations, and command orchestration.\n\nThe README explicitly positions xplr as an integration surface rather than a replacement for standard commands, so much of its value comes from combining it with the rest of a terminal toolchain.","zh":"xplr 是一个运行在终端里的 TUI 文件浏览器,定位不是替代 shell 命令或桌面文件管理器,而是给现有文件系统命令提供一个可交互、键盘驱动的可视化入口。用户可以浏览目录、选择文件,并把后续操作交给已有 CLI 工具或自定义脚本。\n\n项目强调最小核心和可扩展性,官方站点提供布局、键位、自定义插件、Hacks 与第三方集成文档。它适合已经习惯在终端里工作,但希望对文件导航、批处理和工具编排获得更直观反馈的用户。\n\nREADME 本身没有把 xplr 描述成 GUI 文件管理器,也不试图替代标准命令,因此使用价值主要来自和现有终端工具组合。"}

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • Latest release

    Verified

    v1.1.2

    Source: GitHub API · latest_release=v1.1.2 · 10/3/2026

  • License

    Verified

    MIT

    Source: GitHub API · license.spdx_id=MIT · 10/3/2026

  • needs api key

    Verified

    No

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • One-liner

    Verified

    {"en":"A scriptable terminal TUI file explorer that provides a keyboard-driven visual layer for filesystem workflows, command-line tools, plugins, and integrations.","zh":"可脚本化和扩展的终端 TUI 文件浏览器,用键盘界面组织文件操作并与现有命令行工具、插件和脚本集成。"}

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • Platforms

    Inferred from materials

    linux

    Source: Project README · linux · 8/16/2026

  • Category hint

    Inferred from materials

    productivity

    Source: Project README · hint=productivity · 8/16/2026

  • product forms

    Verified

    cli

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • role tags

    Verified

    backend, devops

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

  • supports local

    Verified

    Yes

    Source: manual_curated · Manually curated from the verified project README; no AI draft. · 8/17/2026

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