Runa
What it is
Runa is a free terminal file manager written in Rust for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its keyboard-driven interface supports moving, filtering, copying, and renaming files, along with tab management. A dual-pane layout and preview pane help users inspect files while working in the terminal. Users can change keybindings, colors, and layout through a TOML configuration file. The project describes a multithreaded engine with separate worker threads for I/O, previews, search, and file operations. Optional integrations add capabilities: the fd tool enables recursive fuzzy file and folder search, while bat can provide syntax-highlighted previews. Built-in preview methods remain available without bat. Installation choices include Cargo, Arch Linux AUR, Homebrew, Scoop for Windows, precompiled binaries, and source builds. Releases from v0.5.11 onward are described as immutable and include attestations, with SHA256 checksums supplied. Runa is dual licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0 and is under active development, so configuration options may change.
For and against
For
- Free on three desktop platforms
- Dual-pane and preview views
- TOML customization for keys and colors
- Multiple installation methods
- MIT or Apache-2.0 licensing
Against
- Recursive fuzzy search requires fd
- Configuration options may change
- Project remains under active development
- No free trial is offered
The verdict
Runa provides a configurable, keyboard-focused terminal file manager with previews and tab handling across major desktop operating systems. Its core use is free, while some enhanced search and preview behavior depends on optional tools.
Who it suits
Runa suits people who prefer keyboard-driven file management in a terminal on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It is also useful for users who want configurable layouts and optional fd or bat integrations.
Plans and prices
runa
No paid plans stated
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Customization
- Users can customize keybindings, colors, and layout through a TOML configuration file.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Development status
- Runa is described as a work in progress under active development, and configuration options may change over time.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Dual-pane layout
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- File actions
- Its keyboard-driven interface supports actions including moving, filtering, copying, renaming, and managing tabs.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Install methods
- Installation options include Cargo, Arch Linux AUR, Homebrew, Scoop for Windows, precompiled binaries, and building from source.alexm-dev.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is dual licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- macOS support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Notable limitation
- Recursive fuzzy search requires `fd`; without it, Runa remains usable but notifies users if they attempt that search.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The project describes a multithreaded engine with dedicated worker threads for I/O, previews, search, and file operations.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Preview integration
- The optional `bat` tool can provide syntax-highlighted file previews; built-in preview methods remain available without it.alexm-dev.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Preview pane
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Runa is a fast, lightweight terminal file manager written in Rust.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release integrity
- Releases starting with v0.5.11 are described as immutable and include release attestations; SHA256 checksums are also provided.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Search integration
- The optional `fd` tool enables fast recursive fuzzy file and folder search.alexm-dev.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports and Discussions for feature requests, and welcomes pull requests.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026