Broot
What it is
Broot is a directory navigator for finding files, exploring folders, and launching commands. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and includes a dual-pane layout and synchronized file previews. Directory views account for `.gitignore` and `.ignore` files. Search can rank results by relevance, match regular expressions, search file contents, and combine terms with logical operators. Selecting a directory lets you return to the shell with that location active. Built-in actions include moving, copying, removing, and creating directories, and you can add shortcuts. Multiple panels support navigation and transfers between locations, with customizable colors. Preview tools can display PDF and Office documents through transformers, as well as high-resolution images through Kitty’s graphics protocol in Kitty and WezTerm. A staging area lets you run commands on several files together. For storage checks, sort by size or date or use whale-spotting mode; sizes, dates, and file counts are calculated in the background. Git views show file states, branch, upstream divergence, and change statistics. Client-server control is available over Unix sockets on Unix-like systems. Broot is free under the MIT License.
For and against
For
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Search includes content, regex, and logical operators.
- Built-in move, copy, remove, and mkdir actions.
- Git views include branch and change statistics.
Against
- Client-server mode is limited to Unix-like systems.
- Archive support is not included.
The verdict
Broot combines directory navigation and file operations with search, previews, storage analysis, and Git status views. It is free, though client-server mode is limited to Unix-like systems.
Who it suits
Broot suits people who want directory navigation, file search, and command launching in one tool. Its multiple panels, previews, and storage views may also help users managing large folders.
Plans and prices
Broot
MIT-licensed · source and precompiled binaries available
Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Archive support
- Nodystroy.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Client-server mode
- Broot can act as a client or server so another process can control it or query its state; this feature currently uses Unix sockets and is available only on Unix-like systems.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Directory overview
- It provides directory overviews and handles .gitignore and .ignore files.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Document preview
- With transformers, it can preview PDF and Office files.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Dual-pane layout
- Yesdystroy.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- File operations
- Move, copy, remove, and mkdir operations are built in, and users can add shortcuts.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Git integration
- Git status views show file states, branch name, upstream divergence, and change statistics.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- License
- The repository is released under the MIT License, with permission to use, copy, modify, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software subject to the license conditions.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Linux support
- Yesdystroy.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- macOS support
- Yesdystroy.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Navigation
- Users can select a directory and return to the shell with that directory as the current location.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Panels
- Multiple panels can be opened for navigation and copying or moving elements between panels, with customizable colors.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Preview
- It provides synchronized file preview panels and can display high-resolution images through Kitty's graphics protocol in Kitty and WezTerm.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Preview pane
- Yesdystroy.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Broot is a way to navigate directories, find files, and launch commands.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Search
- It supports relevance-based search, regular expressions, content search, and logical search operators.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Staging area
- Its staging area lets users execute commands on several files in one go.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
- Storage analysis
- Sorting by size or date and whale-spotting mode help identify files or folders taking space, while sizes, dates, and file counts are computed in the background.dystroy.org · read 28 Sep 2026
