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Double Commander
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | This article contains promotional content. (October 2016) |
| Double Commander | |
|---|---|
 Screenshot of Double Commander v0.7.2 running on Ubuntu 16.04 | |
| Developers | Alexander Koblov and others |
| Initial release | First Alpha December 26, 2007 [1] |
| Stable release | 1.1.30[2] 
/ 9 November 2025 |
| Repository | |
| Written in | Object Pascal (Free Pascal/Lazarus) |
| Operating system | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, BSD |
| Size | 8.2 to 11.5 MB |
| Type | File manager |
| License | GPL-2.0-or-later |
| Website | doublecmd |
Double Commander is a dual-pane file manager. It is a piece of free and open-source software licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License. It is designed to be operated by a keyboard, a mouse, or by both at the same time.
It has support for tabs, bookmarks, customizable keyboard shortcuts, compressed files, checksums, and custom file list colors.
The default keyboard shortcuts and default functionality are inspired by the Total Commander for Microsoft Windows only.[3] This makes it similar in operation to the original Norton Commander for DOS, which popularized the basic concept in the 1990s. It is a modern application, designed for use with the latest operating systems.
Design
[edit] |
The basic concept of operation traces its roots to the popular Norton Commander for DOS. While Double Commander can be operated by mouse just like other modern file managers, it also enables easy operation by keyboard only, like its conceptual predecessors did.
The file manager features a highly customizable design with extensive and detailed configuration options. Many of its toolbars can be hidden or shown, configured in detail, colors changed, and keyboard shortcuts assigned.
The usability of a dual-pane file manager depends on it providing an extensive amount of commonly desired functionality and features, and on quality of implementation of those functionalities and features. Double Commander attempts to provide a large number of well-implemented features.
Features
[edit]Double Commander has all the basic functionalities of a common dual-pane file manager. Those include the copy, move, rename and delete operations applied on individual files or directories, or the same operations applied on a selection of files and/or directories. Additional features that are not always present in other similar file managers are given in the following list.
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts: Includes an ability to assign multiple shortcuts for the same action.
- Directory bookmarks:[4] Dubbed "Directory Hotlist". A shortcut key opens a bookmark selection dialogue, which can be used to quickly select a frequently used location.
- Archive support (zip, 7z, tar, bz2, tbz, gz, tgz, lzma, tlz):[citation needed] Allows existing archives to be browsed, new archives to be created from a selection of files, files to be extracted from existing archives, and files to be added to existing archives.
- Unicode support: Supports file names written in all of the world's major writing systems.
- Tabbed panels interface: Multiple locations in the filesystem are made quickly available by switching through open tabs.
- File search tool: Various search options include regular expressions and search for duplicates.[5]
- Directory size calculator: Triggered by pressing the space key when the selection line is over a directory.
- File checksums creation and verification: Multiple algorithms are supported, including the SHA and BLAKE series.
- File viewer: Views files in a text, binary, hex, or decimal format.
- Text editor with syntax highlighting.[6]
- Directory compare: Directories (all or only selected) can be compared and synchronized both symmetrically (two-way) and asymmetrically (one-way). This feature shows differences between two locations by directory and subdirectory, and can make a fully automatic backup of files that have been added, changed or deleted.
- List view ordering: Several sorting options.
- File icons and thumbnails: Images can also be viewed as thumbnails of user-defined sizes.
- Copy-paste and drag-and-drop support: Allows files and directories to be copied from/to other file managers.
- Background operations: All operations can be queued in the background.
- File wipe: Files can be wiped securely.
- Transparent archive handling: Files (and folders) in archives are handled as if they were in an ordinary disk partition. All decompression and compression processes work in the background.[7]
- File comparison tool: Visual file comparison, difference and merge operations.[8] While comparing, both files can be edited and saved, also in binary mode.
- Multi-rename tool: May be used for renaming a group of files and folders. Supports regular expressions and flat view, which allows renaming files in subfolders
- HTML file viewer: HTML files are displayed in a simple offline browser, provided by an attached plugin.
- File comments tool: A mechanism for creating, maintaining and displaying file comments (4DOS
descript.ion). - Plug-in support: Supports Total Commander WCX, WDX, WFX and WLX Windows plug-ins.[9]
- Portable versions: Officially released portable versions are available for Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Double Commander / News". SourceForge. 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
- ^ "Release 1.1.30". 9 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ "Double Commander for Mac". MacUpdate. 29 June 2020.
- ^ "DC - Directory Hotlist". Retrieved 2018-04-13.
- ^ "Changes in version 1.0.0 · doublecmd/Doublecmd Wiki". GitHub.
- ^ Humpa, Michael. "Double Commander (64 Bit) Version 1.0.0". CHIP Online (in German). Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Chapter 21. The Z File System (ZFS)". FreeBSD Documentation Portal. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
- ^ Condorache, Robert (1 November 2021). "Download Double Commander 1.0.1 Beta". Softpedia.
- ^ "Double Commander". SourceForge. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ alexx2000. "Double Commander - Download". SourceForge. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
External links
[edit]Double Commander
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Double Commander is a free and open-source cross-platform file manager featuring a dual-panel interface that allows users to view and manage files side by side.[1] It is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 and supports major operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS.[2] Developed primarily by Russian programmer Alexander Koblov (known as alexx2000), the software originated as a fork of the earlier Sexi Commander project and draws inspiration from the classic Total Commander file manager while incorporating modern enhancements.[3][4]
Key features include an internal text editor with syntax highlighting, a built-in file viewer supporting text, binary, and hexadecimal formats, and seamless handling of archives (such as ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and TAR variants) as virtual subdirectories.[1] The application also provides advanced search capabilities with full-text indexing, multi-rename tools, tabbed browsing, and support for network protocols like FTP, SFTP, and SMB.[2] Additionally, it is compatible with Total Commander's plugin architecture, enabling extensions for content plugins (WDX), packer plugins (WCX), filesystem plugins (WFX), and viewer plugins (WLX) to extend functionality.[3]
As of November 2025, the latest stable release is version 1.1.30, which continues to emphasize portability, customization through hotkeys and configurable toolbars, and background file operations for efficient workflow.[5] The project is actively maintained on GitHub and SourceForge, with a community-driven forum for support and contributions, reflecting its commitment to open-source principles and user accessibility across diverse computing environments.[4]
History
Origins and development
Double Commander originated as an open-source project inspired by the Windows-based file manager Total Commander, particularly adopting its dual-pane layout for efficient file navigation while introducing enhancements like cross-platform support to extend usability beyond Windows.[1] This inspiration stemmed from the need for a free alternative that could replicate Total Commander's functionality on multiple operating systems without licensing restrictions.[3] The project was initiated in 2007 by Russian developer Alexander Koblov, who forked the earlier Sexi Commander—a lightweight file manager—to create Double Commander as a more robust, open-source option.[3] Koblov, under the username alexx2000, focused on building a tool that maintained compatibility with Total Commander's plugin ecosystem, including WCX, WLX, WDX, and WFX formats, to leverage existing extensions.[3] The development emphasized cross-platform compatibility from the outset, achieved through the use of Free Pascal and the Lazarus IDE, which allowed compilation for Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD.[6] The project's public debut came with the first alpha release, version 0.3, on December 26, 2007, marking the initial availability for testing and feedback.[7] Early efforts centered on core file management features and interface refinements, with the source code initially hosted on SourceForge before transitioning to GitHub for improved collaboration and version control.[4] This shift facilitated broader community involvement, though the project remains primarily maintained by Koblov and a small group of contributors.[3]Release history
Double Commander's development commenced with the initial alpha release, version 0.3, on December 26, 2007.[5] This marked the project's early experimental phase, followed by a minor alpha update in version 0.3.5 on April 17, 2008.[5] The software entered its beta stage with version 0.4.0 on February 28, 2009, initiating a prolonged period of beta releases that spanned over a decade.[5] Beta development continued through the 0.5 to 0.9 series and into the early 1.0 series in the 2010s and 2020s, with incremental updates focusing on refinement and cross-platform compatibility, concluding with version 1.0.6 beta on June 4, 2022.[5] Stable releases began in 2022, starting with version 1.0.7 on September 11, 2022, which dropped the beta designation and emphasized reliability.[5] This was followed by minor stable updates, including 1.0.8 on September 18, 2022, and 1.0.9 on December 3, 2022.[8] A significant major beta release, version 1.1.0, arrived on August 5, 2023, representing a key milestone in the project's maturation.[8] Post-1.1.0 development has consisted primarily of gamma-designated bugfix releases to enhance ongoing stability, with versions issued regularly through 2024 and into 2025.[9] As of November 9, 2025, the latest release is version 1.1.30 gamma.| Version | Release Date | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | December 26, 2007 | Alpha | Initial release, establishing core dual-pane functionality.[5] |
| 0.3.5 | April 17, 2008 | Alpha | Early refinement update.[5] |
| 0.4.0 | February 28, 2009 | Beta | Shift to beta development phase for broader testing.[5] |
| 0.9.10 | January 10, 2021 | Beta | Beta release in the 0.x series.[8] |
| 1.0.7 | September 11, 2022 | Stable | First stable version, marking end of beta era.[5] |
| 1.1.0 | August 5, 2023 | Beta | Major version update advancing core capabilities.[8] |
| 1.1.30 | November 9, 2025 | Gamma | Latest bugfix release maintaining stability. |
Design
User interface
Double Commander features a dual-pane layout that allows users to browse two directories simultaneously, either stacked vertically in the default orientation or side by side horizontally by enabling the "Horizontal Panels Mode" with Ctrl+Shift+H.[3] This design facilitates efficient file comparison and transfer between locations without switching views.[1] The interface supports a tabbed system within each pane, enabling multiple directory views to be organized and accessed quickly, with features like drag-and-drop tab reordering and locking tabs (indicated by an asterisk) to maintain specific directories during navigation.[3] Built-in tools are integrated seamlessly, including function key shortcuts such as F3 for opening the internal file viewer (supporting text, binary, and hexadecimal modes) and F4 for the text editor, which enhance productivity by providing direct access to viewing and editing files from the pane context.[3] A customizable toolbar positioned above the panels and a drives button bar offer quick access to common operations, including internal commands like searching or changing directories, as well as launching external programs with parameters for selected files.[10] The application supports themes and color schemes to adapt the UI appearance, automatically switching between light and dark profiles based on the system theme, with manual options for file panel colors, cursor highlights, and icon themes to improve readability and visual consistency across platforms.[11]Customization options
Double Commander provides extensive configuration menus accessible via the "Configuration" > "Options" dialog, allowing users to personalize toolbar buttons, hotkeys, and menu layouts to suit individual workflows.[12] The toolbar customization enables users to add, remove, or rearrange buttons on the main and middle toolbars, supporting internal commands, external programs, and paths that can be absolute, relative to the application's directory, or user-specified; settings can be imported or exported for easy transfer.[12] Hotkeys are configured in the dedicated "Hot Keys" section, where users assign keyboard shortcuts to the 171 internal commands, with options to set multiple shortcuts per command, filter and sort the command list, and load preset shortcut files.[12] Menu layouts are adjustable through the "Layout" options, permitting changes to the main window structure—such as panel visibility, drives bar position, and functional bar display—while enabling advanced features like the Tree View Menu for quick access to directory hotlists and favorite tabs, complete with color and positioning tweaks.[12] File display options offer granular control over how content is presented in the dual-pane interface.[12] Users can define custom columns in the "Files views" > "Columns" settings, specifying attributes like filename, size, date, or attributes, along with alignment, width, and per-column colors that apply across tabs.[12] Sorting is customizable by method (e.g., alphabetical, natural, or numerical), direction, and case sensitivity, with additional toggles for options like brief view, grid lines, and automatic column filling based on content.[12] Filters enhance navigation through quick search tools that match file names with support for wildcards, regular expressions, and case-insensitive modes, while view modes include detailed list, thumbnail previews for images, and customizable overlays for directories and archives.[12] Language and Unicode support are tailored via the "Language" configuration, where users select from dozens of available translations to change the interface text, and the "Miscellaneous" section allows encoding preferences such as UTF-8 for proper handling of international characters in file names and content viewers.[12] These settings ensure compatibility across diverse linguistic environments without altering core functionality. Background file operations are fine-tuned in the "File operations" menu to optimize performance during tasks like copying or moving.[12] Users configure progress indicators to appear in a separate window, minimized status, or directly in the file panels, alongside buffer size adjustments in kilobytes for memory efficiency.[12] Queue management supports sequential or parallel processing of multiple operations, with options to pause, resume, or clear the queue via the dedicated operations panel, and logging for errors to aid troubleshooting.[12] Integration with external tools is facilitated through configurable paths in the "Tools" sections for viewers, editors, file differ, and terminal emulators.[12] Paths can be set as absolute or relative, with parameters passed dynamically (e.g., file names or directories), enabling seamless invocation of preferred applications like custom image viewers or command-line utilities directly from the interface.[12]Features
Core file management
Double Commander provides essential file management capabilities through its dual-pane interface, enabling efficient handling of files and directories. Basic operations such as copying, moving, deleting, and renaming files and folders are supported via keyboard shortcuts and drag-and-drop functionality. For instance, users can copy files using the F5 key or by dragging them to the opposite pane, which triggers a confirmation dialog for editing the target path, filename, and file masks.[13] Move operations employ the F6 key or drag-and-drop with the Shift modifier, while deletion uses the Delete key or F8, and renaming is initiated with F2, all of which integrate seamlessly with the dual-pane layout for quick navigation between source and destination.[13] Directory synchronization and comparison are core features that leverage the two panels to identify and resolve differences between folders. The synchronization tool, accessible via the Directories menu or Ctrl+Alt+S shortcut, scans the active and inactive panels, comparing files by name, size, and modification date (with optional content-based verification).[14] It displays differences in a dedicated window using color-coded statuses—such as red for files with the same names but different content, green for files selected for action from the left panel, and blue from the right panel—allowing users to apply filters for recursive scanning or specific file masks, and then execute actions like copying, moving, or deleting to align the directories.[14] This process supports asymmetric synchronization for backup scenarios and customizable options to ignore timestamps or focus on selected items.[14] The built-in file viewer and text editor facilitate direct inspection and modification without external applications. Activated by F3, the viewer supports multiple formats, including plain text with syntax highlighting for code files, hexadecimal and binary representations showing offsets and character data, and images in formats like JPEG, PNG, and SVG.[15] The integrated text editor, invoked via F4, extends this with editing capabilities, line numbering, and configurable syntax highlighting for various programming languages, ensuring users can preview and edit content within the file manager environment.[15] For batch operations, the multi-rename tool enables renaming multiple files simultaneously using placeholders and modifiers. Launched from the Files menu or via the cm_MultiRename command, it presents a table of old and new filenames, supporting drag-and-drop reordering and features like [N] for the base name, [E] for the extension, and date tokens such as [Y] for the year.[16] Users can apply case changes, find-and-replace patterns (including regular expressions), or load renaming rules from presets or text files, with automatic handling of duplicates through numbering suffixes.[16] All file operations are logged for auditing purposes, recording details of copies, moves, deletions, and directory creations in a configurable log file.[12] This logging, managed through the Configuration dialog's Log section, allows specification of the log filename (with options for daily rotation and limiting the maximum number of log files) and selection of which operations to track, helping users review actions or troubleshoot issues without interrupting workflows.[12] Errors during operations can be directed to the log instead of pop-up alerts, enhancing reliability for large-scale tasks.[12]Advanced tools and plugins
Double Commander extends its core file management capabilities through a suite of advanced tools and plugins that enable seamless interaction with archives, remote networks, and specialized content analysis. These features leverage the application's compatibility with the Total Commander plugin architecture, allowing users to integrate WCX packer plugins for archive handling, WDX content plugins for metadata extraction, WFX file system plugins for network access, and WLX viewer plugins for custom file rendering.[3][17] This extensibility is built into the application, with pre-installed plugins providing immediate functionality across supported platforms.[17] Archive support in Double Commander treats compressed files as virtual subdirectories, permitting users to browse, copy, move, and delete contents without manual extraction. Pre-installed WCX plugins include SevenZip for formats like .7z, .arj, .cab, .chm, .gz, .lzma, and .xz (with read/write support where applicable), UnRAR for .rar archives (requiring the external UnRAR library), and Zip for .bz2, .gz, .tgz, .tar.gz, .zip, and related types (dependent on system compressor libraries).[17][18] Additional packer plugins, such as those for CPIO, DEB, and RPM files, further expand handling of package formats.[17] This virtual folder approach integrates archives directly into the dual-pane interface, supporting operations like drag-and-drop and background processing.[18] For remote file access, Double Commander incorporates network protocols via WFX plugins, enabling connection to FTP, FTPS, FTPES, SFTP, and SSH+SCP servers as if they were local drives.[17][19] The pre-installed FTP plugin requires OpenSSL or libssh libraries for secure connections and supports proxy configurations.[17] Users can map these remote locations to drive letters on Windows or mount them on Unix-like systems, facilitating bidirectional file transfers.[19] Third-party WFX extensions, such as those for Android ADB or cloud storage (e.g., Yandex Disk), enhance this by adding support for mobile devices and online repositories.[20] The application's search functionality goes beyond basic filename matching with options for full-text content scanning and regular expressions (regex), allowing precise queries across local or remote directories.[21] The DSXLocate plugin further accelerates searches on Linux and Unix systems by utilizing the system's locate database for rapid filename and mask filtering.[17] These tools can be combined with filters for attributes like size, date, or partial content matches, making them suitable for large-scale file organization.[21] Plugin compatibility with Total Commander ensures a broad ecosystem, where WCX modules handle archives, WDX plugins extract details like EXIF metadata from images or MediaInfo for audio/video files, WFX enables custom file systems, and WLX viewers support formats such as ELF binaries, web content via WebKit, or images through GTK.[3][17] Official and third-party plugins, hosted on repositories like GitHub, include tools for checksum calculation, font information, and even torrent handling.[20] Background file operations are managed through the integrated Operations Viewer, which queues and monitors tasks like transfers, allowing pausing, resuming, or cancellation without interrupting the main interface.[22] This is particularly useful for large archive extractions or network uploads, where progress tracking and error handling ensure reliability.[22] Overall, these advanced tools and plugins position Double Commander as a versatile platform for power users requiring extensible file management.[23]Platforms
Supported operating systems
Double Commander is a cross-platform application developed using the Lazarus IDE and Free Pascal compiler, which enables its graphical user interface to be ported across multiple operating systems without significant modifications.[24] The software provides native support for Microsoft Windows, including both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures on versions from Windows XP through Windows 11.[25] It also runs on various GNU/Linux distributions, such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux, supporting 32-bit and 64-bit processors via graphical toolkits like GTK2 (requiring version 2.12 or higher), Qt5, or the experimental Qt6 interface introduced in version 1.1.0 beta.[24] Additionally, it is compatible with macOS versions 10.11 and later, utilizing the Cocoa framework for both x86_64 (Intel) and AArch64 (Apple Silicon) architectures, with full Apple Silicon support available in builds since at least 2023.[26] FreeBSD users can access it through the ports collection, typically compiled with GTK2, though other toolkits can be configured during building.[27] macOS support was integrated in later development stages, with stable binaries becoming widely available around version 0.8 in 2018, enhancing its cross-platform appeal beyond initial Linux and Windows focuses.[28] Experimental support exists for Haiku OS since version 1.1.0 beta, relying on Qt5.[24] As of version 1.1.30 (released November 9, 2025), Double Commander does not offer native support for mobile operating systems like Android or iOS, though ARM architectures are partially accommodated via AArch64 builds for macOS and portable Linux variants.[25] Plugin functionality, including advanced tools, remains consistent across these supported platforms, allowing users to extend features uniformly.[24]Installation and dependencies
Double Commander can be installed on supported platforms through various methods, including official binaries and package managers. For Windows, users can download executable installers (.exe or .msi formats) or portable archives (.zip) from the project's GitHub releases page or SourceForge, allowing direct extraction and execution without system-wide installation.[9][29] On Linux, binaries are available in GTK or Qt variants (Qt5/Qt6), often as portable .xz archives or AppImage files from the same sources; additionally, it is packaged in major distribution repositories, such as Debian-based systems viaapt install doublecmd-gtk or apt install doublecmd-qt, and Fedora via dnf install doublecmd after adding the project's repository if needed.[3][9] For macOS, DMG installers or portable builds are provided on GitHub and SourceForge, with installation also possible through Homebrew using brew install --cask double-commander.[24]
Runtime dependencies are minimal across platforms, as the application is self-contained in most distributions. On Windows, no additional libraries are required beyond standard system components. Linux installations via package managers automatically resolve dependencies like GTK or Qt libraries for the graphical interface, along with standard desktop utilities such as libX11 and desktop-file-utils; portable versions assume these are pre-installed on typical desktop environments. macOS builds rely on the native Cocoa framework, with no external runtime libraries needed for core functionality.[3][30] Lazarus IDE components are used during development and building but are not required for end-user runtime operation.[6]
Portable versions enhance flexibility, particularly for Windows and Linux users, by enabling execution from removable media or without administrative privileges. The Windows .zip and Linux .xz/AppImage formats preserve all necessary files in a single directory, avoiding registry modifications or system integration. Initial setup upon first launch includes automatic detection of the system language and pre-installation of core plugins, such as those for archive handling (e.g., UnRAR via libunrar) and network protocols (FTP/SFTP); additional plugins can be configured immediately through the Options menu under the Plugins section, without a dedicated wizard.[3][17] This streamlined process ensures quick usability across operating systems compatible with Double Commander.[24]