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Midnight Commander

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description Midnight Commander Overview

Midnight Commander is a popular, free, and open-source file manager for Linux and Unix-like systems. It provides a dual-pane interface for browsing files and directories, with built-in support for FTP, SFTP, and NCFTP protocols. Its intuitive design and powerful features make it an excellent alternative to graphical file managers for command-line users.

help Midnight Commander FAQ

How do I start Midnight Commander?

Open a terminal and run the command `mc`. It launches a full-screen dual-pane file manager for browsing, copying, moving, deleting, and opening files without leaving the terminal. [Midnight Commander](https://midnight-commander.org/)

Can Midnight Commander browse files over SFTP?

It can use SFTP when the installed build includes the `sftpfs` virtual file system. The manual also documents shell connections over SSH, while FTP and local files use separate virtual file systems. [Midnight Commander manual](https://source.midnight-commander.org/man/mc.html)

What do F5, F6, and F8 do in Midnight Commander?

F5 copies the selected file, F6 moves or renames it, and F8 deletes it. F3 opens a viewer and F4 opens the selected file in the configured editor. [Midnight Commander](https://midnight-commander.org/)

Can Midnight Commander open archives as well as normal folders?

Yes. Its virtual file system supports formats and connections such as tar archives, compressed tar files, FTP, SFTP, and shell access. The same two-pane interface can therefore be used for local folders, remote systems, and archive contents. [Midnight Commander manual](https://source.midnight-commander.org/man/mc.html)

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