Dive into broot: An Interactive Tree-View File Explorer for Linux

When navigating the complex directory structures in Linux, traditional command-line tools like ls and tree often leave us desiring more interactive and efficient methods to manage our files. That's where broot comes into the picture—a modern, feature-rich tool designed to enhance file browsing and manipulation in a way that’s both intuitive and powerful.

What Is broot?

broot is a command-line based file exploration tool that allows users to interact with directory trees using a keyboard-focused approach. Its main draw is the ability to provide a tree overview of directories that is searchable and zoomable in real time, making the process of navigating and managing files significantly faster. Beyond simple viewing, broot lets you manipulate files and directories with commands akin to a traditional shell, including moving, deleting, and editing.

Key Features of broot

• Search as you type: broot uses a fuzzy search mechanism which makes finding files and directories impressively swift.

• Manipulate files: Execute file operations like deleting, moving, or opening files in editors directly from broot.

• Custom commands: Automate custom commands or integrate with shell functions.

• Git integration: Visualize directories including Git statuses, making it easier to manage source code in Git repositories.

• Themes and skins: Customizable appearance to better integrate with your terminal setup.

Installing broot on Linux

broot can be easily installed on various Linux distributions using package managers. Below are the instructions for some popular distributions.

Installing broot with apt (Debian-based systems)

For Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, broot can be installed using apt package manager. First, ensure your package list is up to date:

sudo apt update

Then, install broot:

sudo apt install broot

Installing broot with dnf (Fedora)

On Fedora or any system that supports the dnf package manager, update your system and install broot as follows:

sudo dnf makecache --refresh
sudo dnf install broot

Installing broot with zypper (openSUSE)

For openSUSE users, broot can be installed using the zypper package manager. First, refresh your package list:

sudo zypper refresh

Then, install broot:

sudo zypper install broot

Installing broot from Source or Cargo

If a pre-built package isn't available for your distribution or you prefer to install from the source, you can also compile broot from its source code or use Cargo, the Rust package manager. Ensure you have Rust and Cargo installed and then run:

cargo install broot

Getting Started with broot

After installation, launch broot in your terminal by simply typing broot and get familiar with its interface. Here's a basic command to get you started:

broot --cmd :pt

This command initializes broot in permission tree mode, which can be handy for checking file permissions at a glance.

Conclusion

Whether you are a command-line novice or a seasoned terminal veteran, broot provides a robust toolset for managing directories and files efficiently. Its intuitive design and powerful features like real-time search and command integration transform the mundane task of file management into a pleasant and productive experience. With wide installation support across numerous Linux distributions, broot is easily accessible and worth integrating into your daily workflow. Give it a try, and streamline your file management tasks like never before!