- Home
- File managers
- pointer
pointer
What it is
pointer is a free terminal file manager for Linux and macOS, organized around a two-pane layout with previews and image display. Users can configure pane width and borders, browse archives as virtual directories, and perform asynchronous copy and move operations. Undo is available for several actions, including delete, move, rename, copy, symlink, permissions, and bulk rename. Remote browsing works through SSH/SFTP. Search and navigation tools include filename search, content grep, extension and regex filters, bookmarks, tabs, and file picking. Previews provide syntax highlighting for 20+ languages and can show images using kitty, sixel, or w3m protocols. The plugin system binds external commands to keys through JSON manifests; the README also describes OpenAI integration and Claude-powered file descriptions and sessions. The project lists binaries for Linux and macOS on x86_64 and aarch64. Building from source requires Rust and Cargo, and optional runtime tools include bat, fzf, ImageMagick, and others. Deletion uses a flag-then-purge flow, with confirmation enabled by default. The project lists the Unlicense and describes the software as public domain.
For and against
For
- Two-pane browsing with previews and image display.
- Supports SSH/SFTP remote browsing.
- Archives appear as browsable virtual directories.
- Undo covers several file operations.
- Available binaries for Linux and macOS architectures.
Against
- Windows is not supported.
- Building from source requires Rust and Cargo.
- Optional runtime tools may be needed for some integrations.
The verdict
pointer combines terminal file management with remote browsing, archive handling, and configurable previews. Its Linux and macOS scope and optional tool dependencies are important considerations.
Who it suits
pointer suits Linux and macOS users who prefer terminal-based, two-pane file browsing and want archive, remote-access, and search tools. It may also fit people who want plugins or file-picker integration with external commands.
Plans and prices
Pointer
Unlicense public-domain software · single binary
Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- AI features
- It lists OpenAI and Claude integrations, including Claude file descriptions and interactive sessions.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Archives
- It browses and edits zip, tar, gz, bz2, xz, rar, and 7z archives as virtual directories.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Archive support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Configuration and state
- The README places configuration, state, trash, and plugins under ~/.pointer/.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Deletion behavior
- Deletion uses a flag-then-purge flow, and the README says confirmation is enabled by default.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- Rust and Cargo are required to build from source; optional runtime tools include bat, fzf, ImageMagick, pdftotext, git, xclip, locate, navi, and curl.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The latest release lists binaries for Linux x86_64 and aarch64 and macOS x86_64 and aarch64.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Dual-pane layout
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- Its plugin system uses JSON manifests to bind external commands to keys, and scripts receive Pointer context through environment variables.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- File handling
- It supports archive browsing, asynchronous copy and move operations, and undo for several file operations.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- File operations
- It supports asynchronous copy and move operations and undo for delete, move, rename, copy, symlink, permissions, and bulk rename.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- File picker
- It can run in file-picker mode using the --pick=/path option for external tool integration.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- File previews
- It includes syntax highlighting for 20+ languages and inline image previews through kitty, sixel, or w3m protocols.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README lists fzf, navi, locate, git, bat, ImageMagick, pdftotext, xclip, and curl as integrations or optional runtime dependencies.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is released under the Unlicense, described on the page as public domain.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- macOS support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The repository credits Geir Isene as creator.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
