fman – File Manager for Professionals

Utilities & Operating Systems
June 10, 2025
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5 minutes read

fman is a dual-pane file manager with a free option, focused on keyboard-based interaction. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Key Features of the fman File Manager

fman was created by Swiss developer Michael Herrmann and was first released in 017. The goal of this program is to boost productivity and speed up navigation through files and folders. fman is a file manager inspired by Total Commander and Midnight Commander, but with a modern approach. Accordingly, the user interface is minimalist, consisting of a left and right pane.

Unlike other modern file managers, there are no menus or buttons, nor drag-and-drop functionality—although mouse operation is still supported. The real power of the program lies in keyboard shortcuts that provide access to all commands. Main operations are invoked via function keys, such as:

F4 – edit (with a text editor)
F5 – copy file
F6 – move file
F7 – create a new folder
F8 – delete file
F9 – open terminal in the current folder
F10 – open the native file manager
Ctrl+P – open the command palette for quick navigation
Tab – switch between panes
Enter – enter the selected folder
Space – multi-select
Backspace – go up one level in the folder hierarchy

More details about using shortcuts can be found HERE.

There is no support for previewing documents or images. All settings are configured by editing JSON files located at: /opt/fman/Plugins/Core. The program can be extended with plugins written in Python. Some of the most useful plugins include:

Git Plugin – basic Git functions from within the file manager
Mount SSH – browse remote folders using Secure Shell
Advanced New File – quickly create files and folders
Find and Replace – search within files

Who is fman for?

fman is a closed-source program, and development has noticeably slowed down in recent times. The basic version can be used completely free of charge, but the title bar displays “NOT REGISTERED” and the program reminds users at startup to purchase a license.

This is a program that favors keyboard operation over mouse usage. The dual-pane interface is especially convenient for copying and moving files and folders. Apart from command line integration, there are no other advanced system tool integrations. The program reaches its full potential only when used with plugins.

fman looks exactly the same on all desktop platforms. It is a lightweight application that places little demand on system resources, and its command response is very fast. The simplified user interface reduces visual distractions, thereby enhancing productivity.

Changing habits is never easy, so it’s unrealistic to expect this file manager to become a favorite among average users accustomed to rich graphical interfaces. fman is not a user-friendly program in the conventional sense, but instead offers precision, speed, and automation. It is primarily intended for power users, developers, and system administrators.

Platform:
Windows, Linux, and macOS