xplr review
A configurable terminal file manager for Linux and macOS users who prefer keyboard-driven navigation.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
xplr is an open-source terminal user-interface file explorer for navigating and operating on filesystems from the command line. It is aimed at developers and terminal-focused users who want keyboard-controlled navigation with a configurable visual layer over command-line file utilities. Its core feature set covers search, filtering, sorting, file selection, copying, moving, renaming, deletion, virtual-root navigation, and customizable layouts and panels. xplr supports Linux and macOS, with a free plan reflected in its open-source distribution.
Customization is the central reason to choose xplr. Lua-based configuration and extensibility let users shape layouts, panels, and behavior, while shell-command and message integration connects navigation with command-line workflows. The project also supports plugins, including dual-pane navigation, and offers an optional text preview pane. These capabilities make xplr a fit for users who want to adapt a terminal file manager to their own workflow rather than accept a fixed interface. The trade-off is that some of the more specialized navigation features require optional plugin or hack configurations instead of being part of the default experience.
xplr works best when keyboard control, shell interaction, and configuration depth matter more than a conventional desktop interface. Its focused scope keeps the product centered on filesystem navigation from a terminal, with core file operations and filtering available alongside Lua customization. Choose it if you want an open-source file manager for Linux or macOS that can become a tailored part of a command-line workflow. Choose an alternative if you need a graphical file manager experience, or if dual-pane navigation and text preview must be available without optional configuration.
xplr pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Lua configuration supports layouts, panels, plugins, and extensions
- Search, filtering, sorting, and core file operations are built in
- Shell integration and virtual roots add command-line flexibility
- Where it doesn't
- Dual-pane navigation depends on an optional plugin or hack
- The text preview pane is optional rather than a default feature
- Designed as a terminal layer, not a graphical file manager replacement
xplr fact sheet, pricing and score →
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