vf

Create a virtual environment

$ vf new [virtualenv_name]

$ vf new --python [/usr/local/bin/python3.8] [virtualenv_name]

$ vf activate [virtualenv_name]

$ vf connect

$ vf deactivate

$ vf ls

$ vf rm [virtualenv_name]

$ vf help

vf [options] [path]

Invoking vf without arguments starts the file manager in the current working directory. Optionally, a starting path can be provided.

path
    Specifies the initial directory to start the file manager in. If omitted, vf starts in the current working directory.

--help
    Displays a brief help message and exits.

--version
    Shows the version information of the vf utility and exits.

vf is a fast, interactive, and keyboard-driven file manager designed for command-line users. Written in Go, its primary goal is to provide an efficient way to navigate directories, quickly find files, and perform common file operations directly within the terminal.

It distinguishes itself by adopting a vi-like navigation paradigm, making it intuitive for users familiar with text editors like Vim. A key feature of vf is its reliance on external tools like fzf for powerful fuzzy-finding capabilities and bat for syntax-highlighted file previews, enhancing user experience without reinventing core functionalities.

vf streamlines workflows by allowing users to seamlessly open selected files in their preferred text editor or pass them as arguments to other shell commands. Its design focuses on speed and minimalism, offering a highly responsive interface for efficient file management tasks, from browsing and searching to moving, copying, and deleting files.

vf is not a standard Linux command and needs to be installed separately. It relies heavily on external dependencies like fzf for fuzzy searching and bat for file previews; these must also be installed for vf to provide its full intended functionality. Its vi-like navigation means a learning curve for users unfamiliar with such keybindings.

For optimal functionality, vf requires fzf for its fuzzy search feature and bat for rich file previews with syntax highlighting. Without these, core features will be missing or degraded.

vf operates primarily through keyboard shortcuts, leveraging a design philosophy inspired by vi. Users can expect common movement keys (h, j, k, l) and other operations to be familiar to Vim users. This focus on keyboard control allows for very rapid navigation and file manipulation.

A powerful aspect of vf is its ability to integrate with other command-line tools and text editors. Users can select files and directly open them in their preferred editor (e.g., vim, code) or pass the paths of selected files to custom shell commands for further processing.

Developed by Kevin M. Smith, vf emerged around 2020 as a modern, keyboard-centric file manager written in Go. Its creation was motivated by a desire for a fast, terminal-based file management tool that integrates seamlessly with existing command-line utilities and embraces the efficiency of vi-like navigation. It builds upon the capabilities of tools like fzf and bat, which were gaining popularity at the time, offering a cohesive experience for power users.

fzf(1), bat(1), ls(1), cd(1), mc(1), ranger(1), nnn(1), vim(1)