Manager Plugins [exclusive] — Far
Level Up Your Workflow: A Guide to Must-Have Far Manager Plugins
Far Manager has long been a favorite for power users who prefer a keyboard-centric, two-panel console interface. While the core application is incredibly fast and efficient, its true power lies in its extensibility. By leveraging the Plugins API, you can transform Far Manager from a simple file browser into a full-featured IDE or an automation powerhouse. Essential Plugins for Every User
Whether you're a developer or just a fan of console-based file management, these plugins are considered "must-haves" for a modern setup:
FarColorer: Essential for developers, this plugin provides syntax highlighting for hundreds of programming languages directly within the Far editor.
ArcLite: Built into modern distributions, this plugin allows you to treat archives (like .7z or .zip) as folders, letting you enter them and manage files as if they were on your regular disk.
NetBox: For remote work, NetBox handles connections via FTP, SFTP, SCP, and WebDAV, integrating remote servers seamlessly into your panels.
MediaInfo: Quickly view detailed technical information about audio and video files by pressing Alt+I.
Hexitor: A powerful hex editor plugin for viewing and editing binary files without leaving the Far environment.
PanelTabs: Adds browser-like tab functionality to your panels, allowing you to switch between multiple directories effortlessly using Ctrl+T. Advanced Tools & Automation far manager plugins
For those who want to push Far Manager even further, several projects offer deep customization and scripting: Far Manager Introduction - ConEmu
Table_title: 1. Downloads / Installation Table_content: header: | Names | Purpose | row: | Names: .\Far.exe .\FarEng.hlf .\FarEng.
Porting is a Delicate Matter: Checking Far Manager under Linux
Far Manager is a console-based file manager for Windows known for its modular architecture that relies heavily on plugins to extend its core functionality
. Most essential features, such as archive handling and network browsing, are actually implemented as default plugins. documentation.help
Below is a breakdown of key plugin categories and resources for enhancing Far Manager: Standard Essential Plugins
These are often bundled with the official distribution and provide the bedrock of the Far experience: FTP Client
: Adds full FTP/SFTP support directly into the file panels, allowing you to manage remote files as if they were local. Level Up Your Workflow: A Guide to Must-Have
: The primary interface for working with archive formats like ZIP, RAR, and 7z. Network Browser
: Enables navigation of local network resources and shares within the interface.
: Creates "temporary panels" where you can collect files from different folders to perform batch operations. documentation.help Productivity & Developer Tools Editor/Viewer Plugins
: Extensions that add syntax highlighting, hex viewing, or advanced search-and-replace (like Regular Expressions) to the internal editor. Macro Utils
: Allows for recording and executing complex sequences of keystrokes to automate repetitive file management tasks. ConEmu Integration
: While technically a terminal emulator, ConEmu works closely with Far Manager plugins to provide a "GUI-like" experience in a console, including tabs and better color schemes. documentation.help Developer Resources
If you are looking to create or find advanced plugins, these resources are authoritative: Far Manager Encyclopedia
: The comprehensive reference guide for the Far Manager API, detailing how DLL-based plugins interact with the shell. Far Plug-ring Plugin installation methods: Plugins > Install (from
: The primary community repository for discovering, downloading, and rating hundreds of third-party plugins. Official Far Manager Site
: The best place to find the latest stable and "nightly" builds which include the most up-to-date standard plugin bundles. documentation.help Installation Tip
To install a new plugin, you typically extract the plugin folder into the %FARHOME%\Plugins
directory and restart Far Manager (or use the "Reload plugins" command). specific third-party plugins
for a particular workflow, such as programming or system administration? Far Manager Encyclopedia - Documentation & Help
4. Installation & Usability
- Plugin installation methods:
Plugins > Install(from .dll or registry), or manual copy to%FARPROFILE%\Plugins. - Update management:
Far Manager itself can auto-check for plugin updates (if plugin supports). - Stability:
Most well-known plugins are stable, but some crash Far on exit (e.g., older Python plugins).
Plugin types (what they add)
- File system plugins (FS): expose external resources as virtual folders (FTP, SFTP, SMB, cloud).
- Content plugins (WFX/WDX): WFX = file system; WDX = file descriptors/metadata (used in file properties/comparisons).
- Packet/archive plugins (Packer/WFX plugin family, e.g., wcx): read/write archives (ZIP, RAR, ISO, 7z).
- Viewer/Editor plugins: custom file viewers or editors (hex, image previews).
- Panels and UI helpers: tree view, tabs, bookmarks, user menu enhancements.
- Misc utilities: checksum tools, duplicate finders, batch rename, search integration.
History of Far Manager Plugins
Far Manager was first released in 1996 by Eugene Arshinov, a Russian software developer. Initially, the program was designed as a simple file manager with a command-line interface, similar to the Norton Commander. However, as the program gained popularity, users began to request additional features and functionality. To address these requests, Arshinov introduced the plugin architecture in Far Manager 1.70 (2000), which allowed developers to create custom extensions for the application.
The plugin architecture was a significant success, and soon, a community of developers emerged, creating a wide range of plugins that added new features, improved performance, and enhanced the overall user experience. Over the years, Far Manager has continued to evolve, with new versions introducing improved plugin APIs, enhanced security, and better support for various file systems.
10. ProcessList — Task Manager
Browse running processes, kill tasks, view memory usage — all inside a FAR panel.