Few Command Line File Managers For Using on SSH

Most of the Command Line File use text based interface, although we indicate them with command line interface. Sometimes we need more than what SSH offers by default with ls command. Here Are Linux, MacOS X Command Line File Managers For Using on SSH. In a previous article, we actually talked about on of them – Midnight Commander.

Precautions For Using Command Line File Managers on SSH

Obviously, these file managers can eat up memory while running. User must be careful with commands in order to avoid unintentionally deleting or moving important files. These experiments are better on a development server.
As these tools are getting root access, a hacker if somehow intrude can set cronjob to fetch or move files with lower privilege. These tools are good for checking the log files in log directory.

Few Command Line File Managers For Using on SSH

Midnight Commander

Most known console file manager and directory browser. It provides quick way to copy, move or delete multiple files, browse inside archives and undelete files. We can install Midnight Commander with simple command :

Here is official website of Midnight Commander :

Type mc and hit enter/return key to launch Midnight Commander. One thing you possible need to change – the stuffs displayed on the right hand side pane. Click on the Right option on Midnight Commander menu and scroll down to Quick view or Info option menu and hit enter. In this way, left hand side becoming file browser, while right hand side giving the details on selection.

Last File Manager

Another known console file manager and directory browser. It is lighter. We can install Last File Manager with simple command :

Here is official website of Last File Manager :

Other Options

We are aware of other options like Ranger :

or vimfm :

or different approach like :

But we have an easy way which needs nothing to install.

Vim and Emacs

Suppose, you are at /var/log directory :

You can open that directory on vim editor with this command :

As it has endless bugs, these are used :

Emacs is better over vim for this purpose :

Thereafter on Emacs you need these two :

Conclusion

Midnight Commander is practical choice with huge documentation. Vim is great for easy works. Emacs is difficult to configure on server.