nnn.1

.Dd Aug 15, 2026
.Dt NNN 1
.Os
.Sh NAME
.Nm nnn
.Nd The unorthodox terminal file manager.
.Sh SYNOPSIS
.Nm
.Op Ar -aAcCdDeEfgHJKnQrRSuUVxz0h
.Op Ar -b key
.Op Ar -F val
.Op Ar -l val
.Op Ar -p file
.Op Ar -P key
.Op Ar -s name
.Op Ar -t secs
.Op Ar -T key
.Op Ar PATH
.Sh DESCRIPTION
.Nm
.Pq Nnn's Not Noice
is a performance-optimized, feature-packed fork of noice
.Em http://git.2f30.org/noice/
with seamless desktop integration, simplified navigation,
.Em type-to-nav
mode with dir auto-enter, disk usage analyzer mode, bookmarks,
contexts, application launcher, familiar navigation shortcuts,
subshell spawning and much more. It remains a simple and
efficient file manager that stays out of your way.
.Pp
.Nm
opens the current working directory if
.Ar PATH
is not specified. If
.Ar PATH
is specified and it exists,
.Nm
will open it. If the
.Ar PATH
doesn't exist and ends with a \fB/\fR,
.Nm
will attempt to create the directory tree and open it. Otherwise,
.Ar PATH
is considered a path to a regular file and
.Nm
attempts to create the complete directory tree to the file, open
the parent directory and prompt to create the new file in it with
the base filename.
.Sh KEYBINDS
.Pp
Press
.Ql \fB?\fR
in
.Nm
to see the list of keybinds.
.Sh OPTIONS
.Pp
.Nm
supports the following options:
.Pp
.Fl a
        auto-setup temporary \fBNNN_FIFO\fR (refer to the \fBENVIRONMENT\fR section)
.Pp
.Fl A
        disable directory auto-enter on unique filter match
.Pp
.Fl "b key"
        specify bookmark key to open
.Pp
.Fl B
        use bsdtar for archives (default: atool)
.Pp
.Fl c
        indicates that NNN_OPENER is a cli-only opener (overrides \fB-e\fR)
        openers invoking GUI applications should suppress their stdout/stderr
.Pp
.Fl C
        8-color scheme - color directories by context, disable file colors
.Pp
.Fl d
        detail mode
.Pp
.Fl D
        show directories in context color with \fBNNN_FCOLORS\fR set
.Pp
.Fl e
        open text files in $VISUAL (else $EDITOR, fallback vi) [preferably CLI]
.Pp
.Fl E
        use $EDITOR for internal undetached edits
.Pp
.Fl f
        use history file
.Pp
.Fl "F val"
        fifo notification mode
        0: notify as previewer, 1: notify as explorer
.Pp
.Fl g
        use regex filters instead of substring match
.Pp
.Fl H
        show hidden files
.Pp
.Fl i
        show current file information in info bar (may be slow)
.Pp
.Fl J
        disable auto-advance on selection
        (eg. selecting an entry will no longer move cursor to the next entry)
.Pp
.Fl K
        test for keybind collision and exit
.Pp
.Fl "l val"
        number of lines to move per mouse wheel scroll
.Pp
.Fl n
        start in type-to-nav mode
.Pp
.Fl o
        open files only on Enter key
.Pp
.Fl "p file"
        copy (or \fIpick\fR) selection to file, or stdout if file='-'
.Pp
.Fl "P key"
        specify plugin key to run
.Pp
.Fl Q
        disable confirmation on quit with multiple contexts active
.Pp
.Fl r
        show cp, mv progress
        (Linux-only, needs \fIadvcpmv\fR; \fB^T\fR shows the progress on BSD/macOS)
.Pp
.Fl R
        disable rollover at edges (eg. pressing \fBdown\fR while on the last
        entry will no longer move cursor to the first entry and vice\-versa)
.Pp
.Fl "s name"
        load a session by name
.Pp
.Fl S
        persistent session
.Pp
.Fl "t secs"
        idle timeout in seconds to lock terminal
.Pp
.Fl "T key"
        sort order (refer to the \fBSORTING\fR section)
        keys: 'a'pparent disk usage / 'd'isk usage / 'e'xtension / 'r'everse / 's'ize / 't'ime / 'v'ersion
        capitalize to reverse (except 'r')
.Pp
.Fl u
        use selection if available, don't prompt to choose between selection and hovered entry
.Pp
.Fl U
        show user and group names in status bar
.Pp
.Fl V
        show version and exit
.Pp
.Fl x
        show notifications on selection cp, mv, rm completion (requires the \fB.ntfy\fR plugin)
        copy path to system clipboard on selection (requires the \fB.cbcp\fR plugin)
        show xterm title (if non-picker mode)
.Pp
.Fl z
        use fuzzy filters (fuzzy match: all characters in filter appear in order)
.Pp
.Fl 0
        use null separator (instead of newline) to separate file paths in picker mode outout
.Pp
.Fl h
        show program help and exit
.Sh CONFIGURATION
There is no configuration file. Associated files are at
.Pp
.Pa ${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/nnn/
.Pp
Configuration is done using a few optional (set if you need) environment
variables. Refer to the \fBENVIRONMENT\fR section.
.Pp
.Nm
uses \fBxdg-open\fR (on Linux), \fBopen(1)\fR (on macOS), \fBcygstart\fR on
(Cygwin) and \fBopen\fR on (Haiku) as the desktop opener. It's also possible
to specify a custom opener. Refer to the \fBENVIRONMENT\fR section.
.Sh CONTEXTS
Open multiple locations with 8 contexts. The status is shown in the top left
corner:
.Pp
- the current context is in reverse video
.br
- other active contexts are underlined
.br
- rest are inactive
.Pp
A new context copies the state of the previous context. Each context can have
its own color. Refer to the \fBENVIRONMENT\fR section.
.Sh SESSIONS
Sessions are a way to save and restore states of work. A session stores the
settings and contexts. Sessions can be loaded at runtime or with a program
option.
.Pp
- When a session is loaded at runtime, the last working state is saved
automatically to a dedicated "auto session" session file. Session option
\fIrestore\fR would restore the "auto session".
.br
- The persistent session option is global. If it is used, the last active session
will be updated with the final state at program quit.
.br
- The "auto session" is used in persistent session mode if no session is active.
.br
- Listing input stream and opening a bookmark by key have a higher priority to
session options (\fB-s\fR/\fB-S\fR).
.Pp
All the session files are located by session name in the directory
.Pp
\fB${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/nnn/sessions\fR
.Pp
"@" is the "auto session" file.
.Sh FILTERS
Filters are strings (or regex patterns) to find matching entries in the current
directory instantly (\fIsearch-as-you-type\fR). Matches are case-insensitive by
default. The last filter in each context is persisted at runtime or in saved
sessions.
.br
When there's a unique match and it's a directory,
.Nm
auto enters the directory. Use the relevant program option to disable this.
.Pp
Special keys at filter prompt:
.Bd -literal
-------- + ---------------------------------------
  Key    |                Function
-------- + ---------------------------------------
 ^char   | Usual keybind functionality
 Esc     | Exit filter prompt but skip dir refresh
 /       | Enter dir exactly matching filter
-------- + ---------------------------------------
.Ed
.Pp
Special keys at \fBempty\fR filter prompt:
.Bd -literal
------ + -------------------------------------
  Key  |                Function
------ + -------------------------------------
   ?   | Show help and config screen
   /   | Toggle between string, fuzzy, regex
   :   | Toggle case-sensitivity
  ^L   | Clear filter (if prompt is \fBnon-empty\fR)
       | OR apply last filter
  Bksp | Stay at filter prompt and refresh dir
  Del  | Stay at filter prompt and refresh dir
------ + -------------------------------------
.Ed
.Pp
Common regex use cases:
.Pp
(1) To list all matches starting with the filter expression,
    start the expression with a '^' (caret) symbol.
.br
(2) Type '\\.mkv' to list all MKV files.
.br
(3) Use '.*' to match any character (\fIsort of\fR fuzzy search).
.br
(4) Exclude filenames having 'nnn' (compiled with PCRE2 lib): '^(?!nnn)'
.Pp
In the \fItype-to-nav\fR mode directories are opened in filter
mode, allowing continuous navigation.
.Pp
Additional special keys at \fBempty\fR filter prompt
in \fItype-to-nav\fR mode:
.Bd -literal
------ + ------------------------
  Key  |         Function
------ + ------------------------
   '   | Go to first non-dir file
   +   | Toggle file selection
   ,   | Mark CWD
   -   | Go to last visited dir
   .   | Show hidden files
   ;   | Run a plugin by its key
   =   | Launch a GUI application
   >   | Export file list
   @   | Visit start dir
   ]   | Show command prompt
   `   | Visit /
   ~   | Go HOME
------ + ------------------------
.Ed
.Sh SORTING
.Nm
will always show the directories first, followed by the files. String
order is always case-insensitive.
.Pp
The sort key can be set either with the \fB-T\fR program option, or
interactively using \fBt\fR or \fB^T\fR. The following options are available:
.Bl -tag -width 2n
.It Ic a
apparent disk usage, how large the file appears to be, can be bigger than actual
disk usage in sparse files.
.It Ic d
disk usage, amount of data taken on disk, a multiple of the block size.
.It Ic e
extension of the file.
.It Ic r
reverse the current order (not available with \fB-T\fR).
.It Ic s
size of file, amount of data stored in the file.
.It Ic t
time, this depends on the currently selected time type which can be changed
using the \fBT\fR key.
Options are:
.Bl -tag -compact -width 1n
.It Ic a
access, last time the file was accessed.
.It Ic c
change, last time the metadata of the file was changed (e.g. permissions).
.It Ic m
modified, last time the content of the file was changed (default).
.El
.It Ic v
version, sorts by filename while treating digit characters numerically.
For example: j1.png, j02.png, j3.png.
.It Ic c
clear, revert to filename order (not available with \fB-T\fR).
.It Ic ^T
cycle between filename/size/time order (not available with \fB-T\fR).
.El
.Pp
The uppercase version of the option (except \fBr\fR) reverses the default order.
By default, time and size sort keys are ordered in descending order, and
alphabetical fields are ordered in ascending order.
For example, when using the \fBe\fR option, the entries will be ordered by
extension, in ascending order.
Using \fBE\fR would result in descending order of the extensions.
This means that \fBe\fR followed by \fBr\fR is the same as \fBE\fR.
.Sh SELECTION
.Nm
allows file selection across directories and contexts!
.Pp
There are 3 groups of keybinds to add files to selection:
.Pp
(1) hovered file selection toggle
    - deselects if '+' is visible before the entry, else adds to selection
.br
(2) add a range of files to selection
    - repeat the range key on the same entry twice to clear selection completely
.br
(3) add all files in the current directory to selection
.Pp
A selection can be edited, copied, moved, removed, archived or linked.
.Pp
Absolute paths of the selected files are copied to \fB.selection\fR file in
the config directory. The selection file is shared between multiple program
instances. Selection from multiple instances are not merged. The last instance
writing to the file overwrites earlier contents. If you have 2 instances of
.Nm
\fIopen\fR in 2 panes of a terminal multiplexer, you can select in one pane and
use the selection in the other pane. The selection gets cleared in the
.Nm
instance where the selection was made on mv/rm (but not on cp).
.Pp
.Nm
clears the selection after a successful operation with the selection. Plugins
are allowed to define the behaviour individually.
.Pp
To edit the selection use the _edit selection_ key. Editing doesn't end the
selection mode. You can add more files to the selection and edit the list
again. If no file is selected in the current session, this option attempts
to list the selection file.
.Pp
.Nm
can show the total size of non-filtered selected files listed in a
directory. For directories, only the size of the directory is added by
default. To add the size of the contents of a directory, sort by disk usage (aka du mode).
.Sh FIND AND LIST
There are two ways to search and list:
.Pp
- feed a list of file paths as input
.br
- search using a plugin (e.g. \fBfinder\fR) and list the results
.Pp
File paths must be NUL-separated ('\\0'). Paths and can be relative to the
current directory or absolute. Invalid paths in the input are ignored. Input
processing limit is 16,384 paths or 64 MiB (max_paths x max_path_len) of data.
.Pp
To list the input stream, start
.Nm
by writing to its standard input. E.g., to list files in current
directory larger than
1M:
.Bd -literal
    find -maxdepth 1 -size +1M -print0 | nnn
.Ed
.Pp
or redirect a list from a file:
.Bd -literal
    nnn < files.txt
.Ed
.Pp
Handy bash/zsh shell function to list files by mime-type in current directory:
.Bd -literal
    # to show video files, run: list video

    list ()
    {
        find . -maxdepth 1 | file -if- | grep "$1" | awk -F: '{printf "%s%c", $1, 0}' | nnn
    }
.Ed
.Pp
A temporary directory will be created containing symlinks to the given
paths. Any action performed on these symlinks will be performed only on their
targets, after which they might become invalid.
.Pp
\fB>\fR or \fBl\fR on a symlink in the listing dir takes to the target
file. Press \fB-\fR to return to the listing dir. Press \fBEnter\fR to open the symlink.
.Pp
Listing input stream can be scripted. It can be extended to pick (option -p)
selected entries from the listed results.
.Sh BOOKMARKS
There are 2 ways (can be used together) to manage bookmarks.
.Pp
(1) Bookmark keys: See \fBNNN_BMS\fR under \fBENVIRONMENT\fR section on how to set
    bookmark keys.

    The select bookmark key \fBb\fR lists all the bookmark keys set in \fBNNN_BMS\fR
    in the bookmarks prompt.
.Pp
(2) Symlinked bookmarks: A symlinked bookmark to the current directory can
    be created with the \fBB\fR key (or manually under ~/.config/nnn/bookmarks).

    Pressing \fBEnter\fR at the bookmarks prompt takes to this directory.
    If \fBNNN_BMS\fR is not set, the select bookmark key directly opens it.
.Pp
On entering a bookmark, the directory where the select bookmark key was
pressed is set as the previous directory. Press \fB-\fR to return to it.
.Pp
.Sh UNITS
The minimum file size unit is byte (B). The rest are K, M, G, T, P, E, Z, Y
(powers of 1024), same as the default units in \fBls\fR.
.Sh ENVIRONMENT
The SHELL, VISUAL (else EDITOR) and PAGER environment variables are
used. A single combination of arguments is supported for SHELL and PAGER.
.Pp
\fBNNN_OPTS:\fR options to
.Nm
, parsed like the command line. The leading '-' is optional. Options passed
on the command line override NNN_OPTS.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_OPTS="cEnrx"
    export NNN_OPTS="cEnrx -T t"
    export NNN_OPTS="-HdT t"
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_OPENER:\fR specify a custom file opener.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_OPENER=nuke

    NOTE: \fBnuke\fR is a file opener available in the plugin repository.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_BMS:\fR bookmark string as \fIkey_char:location\fR pairs
separated by \fB;\fR:
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_BMS="d:$HOME/Docs;u:/home/user/Cam Uploads;D:$HOME/Downloads/"
.Ed
.Pp
    These bookmarks are listed in the help and config screen (key \fB?\fR).
.Pp
\fBNNN_PLUG:\fR directly executable plugins as \fIkey_char:plugin\fR pairs
separated by \fB;\fR:
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_PLUG='f:finder;o:fzopen;p:mocplay;d:diffs;t:nmount;v:imgview'

    NOTES:
        1. To run a plugin directly, press \fB;\fR followed by the key.
        2. Alternatively, combine with \fBAlt\fR (i.e. \fBAlt+key\fR).
        3. To pick and run an unassigned plugin, press \fBEnter\fR at the plugin prompt.
        4. To run a plugin at startup, use the option `-P` followed by the plugin key.
.Ed
.Pp
    \fBPLUGIN MODIFIERS\fR

    [-] To skip directory refresh after running a plugin, prefix with \fB-\fR.

        export NNN_PLUG='p:-plugin'

    [!] To assign keys to arbitrary non-background cli commands and invoke like
        plugins, add \fB!\fR before the command.

        export NNN_PLUG='x:!chmod +x "$nnn";g:-!git log'

    [&] To run a \fIGUI app as plugin\fR, add a \fB&\fR after \fB!\fR.

        export NNN_PLUG='m:-!&mousepad "$nnn"'

    [|] To show the output of run-and-exit commands which do not need user input,
        add \fB|\fR (pipe) after \fB!\fR.

        export NNN_PLUG='m:-!|mediainfo "$nnn";t:-!|tree -ps;l:-!|ls -lah --group-directories-first'

        * incompatible with \fB&\fR (terminal output is masked for GUI programs)

    [>] To show the output of run-and-exit commands in a floating window,
        add \fB>\fR (right arrow) after \fB!\fR.

        export NNN_PLUG='m:!>mediainfo "$nnn";t:!>tree -ps;l:!>ls -lah --group-directories-first'

        * incompatible with \fB&\fR (terminal output is masked for GUI programs)
        * ignores \fB-\fR (the directory is always refreshed)

    [*] To skip user confirmation after command execution, suffix with \fB*\fR.

        export NNN_PLUG='y:-!sync*'

        * should be placed at the end of the plugin/command string
        * ignored if \fB|\fR is used (output is already paged for user)
        * ignored if \fB>\fR is used (output is rendered in a floating window)
        * do not use \fB*\fR with programs those run and exit e.g. 'cat'

    NOTES:
        1. Place $nnn (or exported variables) in double quotes (\fB"$nnn"\fR).
        2. Use single quotes for $NNN_PLUG so "$nnn" is not interpreted.

    \fBEXAMPLES\fR

.Bd -literal
    ------------------------------------ + -------------------------------------------------
                Key:Command              |                   Description
    ------------------------------------ + -------------------------------------------------
    c:!convert "$nnn" png:- | xclip      | Copy image to clipboard
       -sel clipboard -t image/png*      |
    C:!cp -rv "$nnn" "$nnn".cp*          | Create a copy of the hovered file
    e:-!sudo -E vim "$nnn"*              | Edit file as root in vim
    g:-!git diff                         | Show git diff
    h:-!hx "$nnn"*                       | Open hovered file in hx hex editor
    k:-!fuser -kiv "$nnn"*               | Interactively kill process(es) using hovered file
    l:-!git log                          | Show git log
    n:-!vi /home/user/Dropbox/dir/note*  | Take quick notes in a synced file/dir of notes
    p:-!less -iR "$nnn"*                 | Page through hovered file in less
    s:-!&smplayer -minigui "$nnn"        | Play hovered media file, even unfinished download
    x:!chmod +x "$nnn"                   | Make the hovered file executable
    y:-!sync*                            | Flush cached writes
    ------------------------------------ + -------------------------------------------------

    Online docs: https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/plugins
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_ORDER:\fR directory-specific sort key.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_ORDER='t:/home/user/Downloads;S:/tmp'

    NOTES:
        1. Sort keys can be a/d/e/r/s/t/v (refer to the \fBSORTING\fR section).
        2. Path must be absolute.

    Timestamps of entries modified/created within 5 minutes are shown in reverse.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_COLORS:\fR string of color numbers for each context, e.g.:
.Bd -literal
    # 8 color numbers:
      0-black, 1-red, 2-green, 3-yellow, 4-blue (default), 5-magenta, 6-cyan, 7-white

        export NNN_COLORS='12341234'

    # xterm 256 color numbers (converted to hex, 2 symbols per context):
      see https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/1482942/93023823-46a6ba80-f5e1-11ea-9ea3-6a3c757704f4.png

        export NNN_COLORS='#0a1b2c3d0a1b2c3d'

    # both (256 followed by 8 as fallback, separated by ';')

        export NNN_COLORS='#0a1b2c3d0a1b2c3d;12341234'

    NOTE: If only 256 colors are specified and the terminal doesn't support, default is used.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_FCOLORS:\fR specify file-type specific colors:
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_FCOLORS='c1e2272e006033f7c6d6abc4'

    Specify file-specific colors in xterm 256 color hex numbers (2 symbols per color).
    Order is strict, use 00 to omit/use default terminal color. Defaults:

    ------------------------- + --- + -------------
              Order           | Hex |    Color
    ------------------------- + --- + -------------
    Block device              | c1  | DarkSeaGreen1
    Char device               | e2  | Yellow1
    Directory                 | 27  | DeepSkyBlue1
    Executable                | 2e  | Green1
    Regular                   | 00  | Normal
    Hard link                 | 60  | Plum4
    Symbolic link             | 33  | Cyan1
    Missing OR file details   | f7  | Grey62
    Orphaned symbolic link    | c6  | DeepPink1
    FIFO                      | d6  | Orange1
    Socket                    | ab  | MediumOrchid1
    Unknown OR 0B regular/exe | c4  | Red1
    ------------------------- + --- + -------------

    If the terminal supports xterm 256 colors or more, file-specific colors will be rendered.
    To force the 8-color scheme use option -C.
    If xterm 256 colors aren't supported, 8-color scheme will be used.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_ARCHIVE:\fR archive extensions to be handled silently (default: bzip2, (g)zip, tar).
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_ARCHIVE="\\\\.(7z|bz2|gz|tar|tgz|zip)$"

    NOTE: Non-default formats may require a third-party utility.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_ARCHMNT:\fR optional archive mounter utility (default: archivemount).
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_ARCHIVE='fuse-archive'
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_SSHFS:\fR specify custom sshfs command with options:
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_SSHFS='sshfs -o reconnect,idmap=user,cache_timeout=3600'

    NOTE: The options must be comma-separated without any space between them.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_RCLONE:\fR pass additional options to rclone command:
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_RCLONE='rclone mount --read-only --no-checksum'

    NOTE: The options must be preceded by "rclone" and max 5 flags are supported.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_TRASH:\fR trash (instead of \fBrm -rf\fR) files to desktop Trash.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_TRASH=cmd

    NOTES:
        1. \fBcmd\fR is the name/path of the binary that nnn will call for
           trashing files. E.g to use macOS's native `trash' command:
           export NNN_TRASH="trash"
        2. Special value "1" and "2" for cmd will use 'trash-cli' and
           'gio trash' respectively.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_SEL:\fR absolute path to custom selection file.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_SEL='/tmp/.sel'
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_FIFO:\fR path of a named pipe to write the hovered file path:
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_FIFO='/tmp/nnn.fifo'

    NOTES:
        1. Overridden by a temporary path with -a option.
        2. If the FIFO file doesn't exist it will be created,
           but not removed (unless it is generated by -a option).

    Online docs: https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki/Live-previews
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_LOCKER:\fR terminal locker program.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_LOCKER='bmon -p wlp1s0'
    export NNN_LOCKER='cmatrix'
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_TMPFILE:\fR \fIalways\fR cd on quit and write the command in the file specified.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_TMPFILE='/tmp/.lastd'
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_HELP:\fR run a program and show the output on top of the program help page.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_HELP='fortune'
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNNN_MCLICK:\fR key emulated by a middle mouse click.
.Bd -literal
    export NNN_MCLICK='^R'

    NOTE: Only the first character is considered if not a \fBCtrl+key\fR combo.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBnnn:\fR this is a special variable.
.Bd -literal
    Set to the hovered file name before starting the command prompt or spawning a shell.
.Ed
.Pp
\fBNO_COLOR:\fR disable ANSI color output (overridden by \fBNNN_COLORS\fR).
.Sh AUTHORS
.An Arun Prakash Jana Aq Mt engineerarun@gmail.com ,
.An Lazaros Koromilas Aq Mt lostd@2f30.org ,
.An Dimitris Papastamos Aq Mt sin@2f30.org .
.Sh HOME
.Em https://github.com/jarun/nnn