Ranger File Manager Cheat Sheet
Basic Navigation
| Command | Description |
|---|
h | Move to parent directory |
j | Move down (next file) |
k | Move up (previous file) |
l | Open file or enter directory |
gg | Go to top of list |
G | Go to bottom of list |
H | Go back in history |
L | Go forward in history |
~ | Go to home directory |
/ | Search for files |
n | Next search result |
N | Previous search result |
f | Find (quick search) |
File Operations
| Command | Description |
|---|
<Space> | Select current file |
v | Visual selection mode |
uv | Deselect all |
yy | Yank (copy) file |
dd | Cut file |
pp | Paste file |
cw | Rename current file |
:rename | Rename with editor |
I | Rename without extension |
A | Rename at the end |
a | Rename at the end without extension |
:bulkrename | Bulk rename selected files |
<Delete> | Delete selected files |
dD | Delete selected files (no confirmation) |
chmod | Change file permissions |
File Creation & Editing
| Command | Description |
|---|
:touch | Create a new file |
:mkdir | Create a new directory |
o | Sort options |
z | Change settings |
i | Show file (preview) |
E | Edit file in $EDITOR |
S | Open shell in current directory |
! | Execute shell command |
@ | Execute shell command with file names |
Tab Management
| Command | Description |
|---|
<Ctrl>n | Create new tab |
<Ctrl>w | Close current tab |
<Tab> | Next tab |
<Shift><Tab> | Previous tab |
<Alt>1-9 | Go to tab 1-9 |
Bookmarks
| Command | Description |
|---|
m + <key> | Create bookmark with key |
' + <key> | Go to bookmark with key |
um + <key> | Delete bookmark |
Views & Display
| Command | Description |
|---|
zh | Show hidden files |
zp | Toggle preview |
zP | Toggle full-screen preview |
zf | Filter files by pattern |
M | Show linemode selector |
<Ctrl>h | Toggle hidden files |
dc | Calculate directory size |
zc | Toggle collapse preview |
? | Show help / key bindings |
Advanced Features
| Command | Description |
|---|
:flat | Flatten directory view |
:filter | Filter files by pattern |
:find | Find files by pattern |
:locate | Find files using locate command |
:shell | Open shell in current directory |
:terminal | Open terminal in current directory |
W | Open dedicated message window |
:help | Show help document |
:cd | Change directory |
:scout | Execute ranger’s file selector |
Custom Commands
You can define custom commands in your ~/.config/ranger/commands.py file.
Configuration
Your configuration files are located in ~/.config/ranger/:
rc.conf: Main configuration filerifle.conf: File opener configurationcommands.py: Custom commandsscope.sh: File previewer configuration