elio review
A preview-focused open-source file manager for browsing and managing files across three operating systems.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
elio is an open-source terminal file manager for navigating and managing local files through a text-based interface. Its Places, Files, and Preview panes suit users who want file browsing with immediate visual context, while keyboard and mouse navigation, grid and list views, and bulk actions support everyday file management. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and can also be used over SSH. The result is a focused option for users who prefer terminal workflows but want more than a filename list.
Preview depth is elio’s clearest strength. It supports previews for text, code, documents, media, archives, images, covers, thumbnails, and rendered pages. Archive creation and extraction include encrypted-archive password support, while fuzzy file and folder finding helps locate items quickly. Duplicate-file finding by content, trash and restore operations, permanent deletion, and grid zoom extend the tool beyond basic navigation. Shell integration for changing directory on quit also connects file browsing to the surrounding command-line workflow.
Platform coverage is broad, with Linux, macOS, and Windows support, plus zoxide integration and documented Windows Terminal support. The interface is three-pane rather than dual-pane, so users seeking a traditional two-column terminal manager should look elsewhere. Windows setup may require more configuration than the Unix-like package-manager paths emphasized in the installation guidance. Choose elio for preview-heavy browsing, archive work, cleanup, and cross-platform terminal use; choose an alternative if dual-pane navigation is central to your workflow.
elio pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Rich previews cover text, code, documents, media, archives, and more
- Duplicate detection, fuzzy finding, trash, and bulk actions support file cleanup
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows with SSH use and shell integration
- Where it doesn't
- Uses three panes rather than a dual-pane layout
- Installation is more directly documented for Unix-like package managers
- Remote access is centered on SSH rather than a broader remote-file feature set
elio fact sheet, pricing and score →
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