xnnn

Xnnn is an open-source terminal-based file manager designed for speed and low resource usage. It targets Unix-like systems and Windows Subsystem for Linux, providing a keyboard-driven interface that emphasizes immediate file access and minimal CPU overhead. The project aims to be a modular alternative to more feature-heavy file managers by exposing a lightweight core with an extensible plugin system.

Xnnn began as a hobby project in 2019 by a developer known as A. Doe and grew through community contributions. The initial release established a compact codebase and a simple command set. Over subsequent years, the project added a formal plugin interface, improved performance benchmarks, and cross-platform packaging, with releases aligned to semantic versioning.

Architecture and features: The core is written primarily in C and provides a minimal runtime with a pluggable layer for file-type handlers and external actions. Plugins can extend navigation commands, provide previews, integrate with external editors, or add new file operations. It includes multi-pane navigation, fuzzy search, bookmark management, and SSH-based remote access. It supports basic file operations (copy, move, delete) and batch operations.

Reception and impact: Xnnn has a niche but devoted user base among power users who value speed and scriptability. Critics note occasional stability or plugin quality variance and a smaller ecosystem compared to larger file managers. The project continues with community-maintained forks and periodic releases.

See also: nnn, ranger, vifm.