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far2l
What it is
far2l is a free Linux port of FAR Manager v2, with macOS also supported. It is a file manager with graphical wxWidgets and SDL interfaces, as well as terminal backends whose dependencies and keyboard support differ. Its NetRocks plugin provides remote access using protocols including SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, and AWS S3. Other working plugins cover archive handling, file comparison, a calculator, image viewing, Git gutter, and text transformations. Python scripting support is optional and requires the relevant development packages when building. Installation options described by the project include Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew, source builds, and Docker. The software is identified as GNU/GPLv2, but the project labels it beta and advises use at your own risk. It recommends checking out a stable release tag because the master branch is considered unstable. The compact Homebrew TTY build omits Python plugin support and SMB in NetRocks. The project lists English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian as valid translations; other languages need substantial correction.
For and against
For
- Free GNU/GPLv2 software.
- Supports Linux and macOS.
- NetRocks supports multiple remote-access protocols.
- Offers graphical and terminal backends.
- Installation options include packages, Homebrew, and Docker.
Against
- The project labels it beta and advises use at your own risk.
- Compact Homebrew TTY build lacks Python plugins and SMB.
- Other languages need substantial translation correction.
- Master branch is considered unstable.
The verdict
far2l combines file management, plugins, and broad remote-access support across Linux and macOS. Its beta designation, backend differences, and compact-build omissions are worth weighing before installation.
Who it suits
far2l may suit Linux or macOS users who want a file manager with terminal or graphical backends and remote file access. Its beta status makes it important to consider the project’s caution before use.
Plans and prices
far2l
GNU/GPLv2 · beta version · use at your own risk
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Archive support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Build stability
- The project advises checking out a stable release tag because the master branch is considered unstable.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compact build limit
- The compact Homebrew TTY build does not support Python plugins or SMB in NetRocks.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README documents Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew, source builds, and Docker as installation options.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README describes Debian and Ubuntu packages, Homebrew installation, macOS releases, Docker usage and community maintained packages.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- File operations
- The README lists plugins including archive handling, file comparison, image viewing, and text transformations.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- File transfer and network access
- Its NetRocks plugin supports SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV and AWS S3.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integration
- The README lists compatible terminals and SSH clients, including kitty, Alacritty, Rio, Ghostty, WezTerm, iTerm2 and Windows Terminal.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The project says only English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian translations are valid; other languages need substantial correction.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The README identifies the license as GNU/GPLv2.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- macOS support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Other features
- Listed working plugins include archive handling, file comparison, a calculator, image viewing, Git gutter, Python scripting and text transformations.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other operating systems
- The project says far2l also works on macOS and BSD, though BSD is not regularly tested.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Packaging limitation
- The compact Homebrew TTY version has no Python plugin support and lacks SMB in NetRocks because of its dependency size.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The README labels the project a beta version and says to use it at your own risk.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- far2l is a Linux fork of FAR Manager v2.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- Its NetRocks plugin supports SFTP, SCP, SHELL, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, and AWS S3.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
