far2l for MAC
Free, open-source two-panel file manager for Mac, a fork of FAR Manager v2 with an editor, viewer, plugins and remote access. Still in beta.
far2l Overview
far2l is a two-panel file manager for Mac, Linux and BSD, based on FAR Manager v2 for Windows. If you know that style of tool, you get the same keyboard-driven way of working: two file panels side by side, a built-in viewer and editor, a command line and plugins. On the Mac it runs as a graphical app through wxWidgets, and it can also run inside a terminal.
The NetRocks plugin opens SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV and AWS S3 locations in a panel. Other plugins compare files, handle archives, color code and browse USB devices. far2l is free and open source under the GNU GPL v2. Version 2.9.1 lets you drag files out of its panels in the graphical version and adds a built-in task list.
Some honest notes: the developers call far2l a beta and say to use it at your own risk. The Mac download is not signed by Apple, and Homebrew removed its far2l cask because it fails the Gatekeeper check, so macOS may warn you or refuse to open it. Some of its shortcuts are also used by macOS itself, so you may need to release them in the system settings.
Key Features
far2l brings the classic FAR Manager workflow to the Mac.
- Two panels: browse and manage files side by side.
- Editor and viewer: built in, with code coloring from the colorer plugin.
- Remote files: SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV and AWS S3 through NetRocks.
- File diff: a colored, editable comparison of two files.
- Archives: multiarc and the experimental arclite plugin.
- Devices: MTP and ADB plugins for phones and cameras (ADB needs the adb tool).
- Macros and scripting: a Macro Browser and an optional Python plugin.
- Themes: several color themes, including classic looks.
What’s New in Version 2.9.1
far2l 2.9.1 improves the graphical version and the built-in code coloring.
- Drag files out of far2l panels in the graphical version
- Better directory summary in the Quick View panel, with code coloring in file previews
- More accurate command-line autocomplete inside plugin panels
- A built-in task list (Ctrl+W) instead of htop or top
- The colorer plugin now works in the Viewer and has new true-color styles
- Fixes for AltGr and for saving changes in far:config
far2l FAQ
Is far2l free?
Yes. far2l is free and open source under the GNU GPL v2.
What is far2l based on?
It is a fork of FAR Manager v2 for Windows that runs on Linux and also works on macOS and BSD.
Is far2l finished software?
Not yet. The developers call it a beta version and say to use it at your own risk.
Is the Mac version signed by Apple?
No. Homebrew removed its far2l cask because the app fails the Gatekeeper check, so macOS may warn you or refuse to open it.
Which macOS version does far2l need?
The universal download for version 2.9.1 is marked for macOS 11.2. A separate Intel download is marked for macOS 10.15.
Does far2l run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. The 68.7 MB universal download covers Apple Silicon and Intel.
Can far2l open remote servers?
Yes. Its NetRocks plugin works with SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV and AWS S3.
Why do some shortcuts not work on my Mac?
macOS uses some of the same key combinations. You can release them in the system settings, or use the sticky keys and exclusive hotkey options described in the far2l help.
Can I extend far2l?
Yes. It ships with many plugins, supports macros and has an optional Python plugin for scripting.
Where does the far2l download on far2l.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official far2l releases on GitHub at https://github.com/elfmz/far2l/releases/latest. far2l.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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