thunar

Open a new window showing the current directory

$ thunar

$ thunar --bulk-rename

$ thunar --quit

thunar [OPTIONS...] [FILES/DIRECTORIES...]

-?, --help
    Displays a help message with available command-line options for Thunar.

-V, --version
    Shows the version information of the Thunar application.

--bulk-rename
    Opens the Bulk Renamer utility, allowing multiple files to be renamed simultaneously using various patterns.

--daemon
    Starts Thunar in daemon mode in the background. This improves subsequent startup times for new windows.

--quit
    Quits any currently running Thunar daemon process.

--new-window
    Forces Thunar to open a new window, even if an existing window could open a new tab.

--tab
    Opens the specified FILES/DIRECTORIES in new tabs within an existing Thunar window.

--browser
    Opens a new Thunar window in 'browser mode', typically displaying the location bar and hiding the toolbar.

--list-view, --icon-view, --tree-view
    Specifies the initial view mode (list, icon, or tree) for the opened folder(s).

FILES/DIRECTORIES...
    One or more paths to files or directories that Thunar should open or navigate to.

Thunar is the default file manager for the Xfce desktop environment. It's designed to be fast, easy to use, and highly customizable. Thunar aims for a clean and intuitive user interface, focusing on responsiveness and low resource usage. It supports common file operations like creating, deleting, moving, copying, and renaming files and directories.

It also offers features such as tabbed browsing, a sidebar for quick access to locations, and support for volume management and network shares. Its powerful plugin system allows for extended functionality, making it versatile for various user needs while maintaining its lightweight nature. Thunar prioritizes user experience with its focus on simplicity and efficiency.

While Thunar is highly functional, its optimal performance and feature set are realized within the Xfce desktop environment. When used outside Xfce, some integrations (e.g., volume management, trash handling) might rely on additional components or require manual configuration. Its daemon mode is crucial for fast startup, so users should be aware that Thunar might remain running in the background even after closing all windows.

Thunar's architecture is built around a flexible plugin system. This allows users to extend its capabilities significantly without bloating the core application. Popular plugins include support for archive management, image thumbnailers, media tag editors, and version control integration, enhancing its versatility for various tasks.

A powerful feature of Thunar is the ability to define custom actions. Users can create custom commands (e.g., shell scripts) that appear in the context menu for specific file types or selections. This enables highly personalized workflows, allowing quick execution of common tasks directly from the file manager's graphical interface.

Thunar was first introduced in 2007 by Benedikt Meurer as a modern and lightweight replacement for XFFM, the previous file manager in Xfce. Its development has consistently focused on providing a fast, responsive, and easy-to-use experience, adhering to Xfce's philosophy of efficiency and simplicity. Over the years, it has evolved with new features and a robust plugin system, maintaining its position as the default and highly regarded file manager for the Xfce desktop.

gvfsd(1), xfdesktop(1), pcmanfm(1), nautilus(1), dolphin(1), mv(1), cp(1), rm(1)