In this guide, we’ll explore how to open a file browser from the terminal in Linux. This can be particularly useful when managing files or navigating directories.
To open a file browser from the terminal in Linux, you can use commands like nautilus --browser, gnome-open, gvfs-open, or xdg-open. Different desktop environments may have their own specific commands, such as nemo for Cinnamon or caja for MATE. Additionally, you can create shortcuts by assigning aliases or using custom scripts.
Understanding the Terminal
The terminal, also known as the command line, is a powerful tool that allows you to control your computer using commands inputted via a keyboard. It’s more direct and efficient than using a GUI, especially when dealing with complex tasks or repetitive actions.
Opening the File Browser from Terminal
There are several ways to open a file browser from the terminal, depending on your system and preferences. Here are a few common methods:
Using the nautilus Command
If you’re using the GNOME desktop environment, you can open the file browser (Nautilus) with the nautilus command. Here’s how to use it:
nautilus --browser ~/some/directoryIn this command, --browser is a flag that ensures Nautilus opens in browser mode, and ~/some/directory specifies the directory you want to open. If you want to open the current directory, you can simply use . instead of specifying a path.
Using gnome-open or gvfs-open
These commands open a directory with the appropriate application, which in this case is Nautilus. Here’s an example:
gnome-open /tmpor
gvfs-open /tmpIn these commands, /tmp is the directory you want to open.
Using xdg-open
The xdg-open command is a desktop-agnostic option that opens a file or URL with the default application. Here’s how to use it:
xdg-open ~/some/directoryIn this command, ~/some/directory is the directory you want to open.
Using Specific File Browsers
Different desktop environments have different default file browsers. Here are some commands for specific environments:
- Cinnamon:
nemo - MATE:
caja - Xfce:
thunar
For example, if you’re using Cinnamon, you can open the file browser with this command:
nemo ~/some/directoryIn all these commands, remember to append & after the command to run it in the background and keep the terminal available for new commands. For example:
nautilus . &Creating Shortcuts
You can assign a keyboard shortcut to open a specific folder by creating an alias or using a custom script. For example, you can add an alias to your .bashrc file like this:
alias opn="nautilus -s ."Then, you can use the opn /path/to/folder command to open the folder with the assigned shortcut.
Final Thoughts
Opening the file browser from the terminal can be a great time-saver, especially if you’re already working in the terminal. Remember, some commands may require additional installations or have different names in different versions of Linux distributions. Always refer to your distribution’s documentation for the most accurate information.
We hope you found this guide helpful. Happy browsing!
A file browser, also known as a file manager, is a graphical user interface (GUI) tool that allows users to navigate and manage files and directories on a computer. It provides an intuitive way to view, open, copy, move, and delete files.
Opening a file browser from the terminal can be useful for various reasons. It allows you to quickly navigate to a specific directory, manage files and directories using keyboard commands, and perform complex file operations efficiently. It can be particularly handy for advanced users or when working on servers without a graphical interface.
There are several ways to open a file browser from the terminal in Linux. Some common methods include using the nautilus command, gnome-open or gvfs-open commands, xdg-open command, or specific file browser commands like nemo, caja, or thunar.
Yes, you can open a file browser from the terminal in other operating systems as well, although the specific commands may vary. For example, in macOS, you can use the open command, and in Windows, you can use the explorer command.
You can create a keyboard shortcut to open a specific folder by creating an alias or using a custom script. For example, in Linux, you can add an alias to your .bashrc file, specifying the desired folder and the command to open it. Then, you can use the assigned alias to open the folder with the shortcut.
When opening a file browser from the terminal, it’s important to be cautious and ensure that you’re opening directories or files from trusted sources. Opening files or directories with unknown or malicious content can pose security risks to your system. Always exercise caution and double-check the paths and sources before executing commands.
