Introduction
Double Commander is an open source file manager inspired by the classic Total Commander and offers a double panel interface designed to improve efficiency by working with Linux file systems. Its Qt or GTK-based architecture allows it to be natively integrated into various desktop environments, from GNOME and KDE to XFCE and LXQt. Since its launch, it has won an active community of users who appreciate its speed, low resource consumption and the possibility of customizing almost all aspects of its operation. In this article we will explore its most outstanding features, how to install it in the main Linux distributions, the first steps to make the most of it and the customization options that make it an essential tool for professionals, developers and free software enthusiasts.
Main characteristics
- Double-panel synchronizable interface, with the possibility of changing the orientation (horizontal or vertical) and blocking one of the panels for independent navigation.
- Native support for multiple file systems, including FTP, SFTP, SMB and compressed files (ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZ, BZ2) by plugins.
- Advanced batch operations: multi-renowned with regular expressions, folder comparison and synchronization, search for duplicates and filtered by attributes.
- Internal file viewer with syntax highlighted for more than 80 programming languages, hexadecimal view and basic media reproduction.
- Integrated terminal that allows you to open a shell in the active directory of any of the panels without leaving the application.
- Fully customizable by configuring sources, colors, icons, keyboard shortcuts and external scripts that can be released from the tool menu.
Linux installation
Install Double Commander is easy thanks to its presence in the official repositories of most distributions. Ubuntu and its derivatives simply run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install doublecmd-gtk
For those who prefer the Qt-based version, the package isdoublecmd-qt. In Fedora, DNF is used:
sudo dnf install doublecmd-gtk
In Arch Linux and derivatives, the package is in the community repositories:
sudo pacman -S doublecmd-gtk
If the latest stable version is desired, it is also available as a Flatpak package in Flathub:
flatpak install flathub org.doublecmd. DoubleCommander
After installation, the program can be launched from the application menu or runningdoublecmdin a terminal.
Basic use
When you start Double Commander, two identical panels show the content of the home directory. Each panel has an address bar where you can write or paste routes, and a side navigation tree that facilitates the jump between folders. To copy or move files, simply select them in the source panel, clickF5(copy) orF6(move) and confirm the destination on the opposite panel. The keyF3opens the internal view, whileF4launches the built-in text editor. Advanced search is activated withAlt + F7, allowing to filter by name, size, date and content by regular expressions. In addition, the menuCommandsoffers operations such as comparing directories, synchronizing folders and removing duplicates, essential tools for system managers and developers working with large data volumes.
Customization and extensions
One of the strengths of Double Commander is its ability to adapt. From the menuSettings → OptionsYou can adjust color themes, change the type of the panels and define custom keyboard shortcuts. Advanced users can create scripts in Bash, Python or Perl and assign them to toolbar buttons using the external command editor. The plugins, available on the official site, add features such as access to cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox), integration with version control systems (Git, SVN) and specialized visors for PDF files, RAW images or Office documents. In addition, the ability to save and load profiles allows different working environments (for example, one for development and one for server management) without the need to restart the application.
Conclusion
Double Commander is positioned as a powerful and light alternative to traditional Linux file managers, offering a unique combination of double panel, extensible batch operations and a deep customization that adapts to any workflow. Its free software nature guarantees constant updates and a community willing to share tricks, plugins and improvements. Whether you need to manage remote servers, organize programming projects or simply find a faster way to navigate your file system, Double Commander provides the tools needed to increase productivity without sacrificing stability or resource consumption. We invite you to try it and discover why you have become the favorite of many Linux users who seek efficiency and total control over their working environment.
