dcvim

An extension for Double Commander file manager to provide Vim-like key bindings

While there is a number of console file managers with Vim-like keybindings (e.g., ranger and vifm), it seems that no GUI analogs exist. The dcvim extension allows to use Double Commander (DC), a cross-platform GUI file manager, in Vim-like manner to the extent allowed by the application's API. Since DC does not expose some of its functionality (e.g., basic cursor movements) to its scripts, dcvim relies on external key emulation utilities (xdotool in case of Unix/Linux, and an ad hoc self-made small utility in case of MS Windows).

Currently, dcvim works in Unix/Linux and MS Windows only.

If you want to keep your custom shortcuts along with dcvim keybindings, you should copy the contents of keys.xml into shortcuts.csf instead of using dcvim.csf (but make sure there is no interference).

Install

Linux

• Install xdotool utility (e.g., in Ubuntu: sudo apt install xdotool)
• Make sure Lua library is installed (e.g., in Ubuntu: sudo apt install liblua5.1-0)
• Copy/clone dcvim directory into DC's config directory
• Copy or move dcvim.scf from dcvim one level up into DC's config directory
• Configure DC:
  • Options->Keys: set Typing->Letters to None
  • Options->Keys->Hotkeys: select dcvim.scf as the Shortcut file

MS Windows

• Make sure lua5.1.dll is present in your DC folder
• Copy/clone dcvim directory into DC's config directory
• Copy the contents of dcvim\mswin\toolbar_items.xml into doublecmd.xml, into the section enclosed by <Toolbars><MainToolbar><Row> tags (before copying, make sure DC is not running). <span style="font-size:0.9em;">[Note that this will introduce several buttons in the toolbar menu. They are used to launch key emulation utility from Lua scripts, since direct call of such utility from Lua does not work properly in Windows.]</span>
• (Optional) If you are fussy about running extraneous executables, you may prefer to build dcvim\mswin\keyemulate.exe from C++ code yourself.
• Copy or move dcvim.scf from dcvim one level up into DC's config directory
• Configure DC:
  • Options->Keys: set Typing->Letters to None
  • Options->Keys->Hotkeys: select dcvim.scf as the Shortcut file

Keybindings

Keys | Description ---|--- k | move cursor up j | move cursor down h | move to parent directory l| enter subdirectory or archive¹ gg | go to top of list G | go to bottom of list gj | move page down gk | move page up ] | move 5 entries down [ | move 5 entries up H | move back in history L | move forward in history f{char} | jump to first entry which starts with the character {char} ; | jump to next entry in the search initiated with f{char} , | jump to next entry in the search initiated with f{char} (exclude directories) / | quick search gh | go to home directory g/ | go to root directory : | command line vv | select (mark) all entries vu | unselect all entries va, v+ | add entries to selection using masks vd, v- | remove entries from selection using masks ve | select files with the same extension as that of the file under cursor vi | invert selection K | move cursor up and toggle selection of entries J | move cursor down and toggle selection of entries yy | yank (copy) to clipboard yd | cut to clipboard yf | copy full paths to clipboard yn | copy names only pp | put (paste) from clipboard cp | copy into opposite panel (without confirmation) cm | move into opposite panel (without confirmation) dd | delete to trash DD | delete permanently sn | sort by name / toggle direction ss | sort by size / toggle direction sd | sort by date / toggle direction se | sort by extension / toggle direction sa | sort by attribute / toggle direction m{char} | bookmark current location² '{char}, `{char} | go to bookmarked location '', `` | show DC's directory hotlist nf | new file nd | new directory nn | new network connection x | close network connection gf | advanced search g. | toggle hidden files gb | toggle flat view of directory contents gy | sync directories gi | show history rr | rename ri | rename (put cursor in front of file name) ra | rename (put cursor after file name)³ re | rename (put cursor after file extension) rm | multi-rename tool gs | count sizes of subdirectories z | hide/show right (or lower) panel > | increment size of the left/upper panel < | decrement size of the left/upper panel u | swap panels R | refresh e | edit file gt | open terminal go | open Options window Esc | cancel previous "modifier"-key - g, f, y, etc. (back to "normal" mode) Q | quit

<a class="anchor" id="1">1</a>. Unlike in ranger and vifm, l does not open files, only directories. Binding it to open files is not a good idea as it often leads to casual launch of apps while navigating. However, this might be Ok if a file is an archive, in which case DC enters it as if it was a directory. However, with DC APIs it seems impossible to distinguish files and directories within archives, as well as within remote (FTP) paths, so in these cases l acts as an Open action for files as well.

<a class="anchor" id="2">2</a>. These bookmarks are different from DC's own directory hotlist. NB: when bookmarking a remote (FTP) location, DC API does not provide WFX-plugin prefix in the path (although internally it works correct for DC's directory hotlist). So to be able to jump to that bookmark, you have to manually add a prefix (e.g., wfx://FTP/...) for the corresponding entry in dcvim/vars/bookmarks.

<a class="anchor" id="3">3</a>. This key binding assumes you have set the option Select file name without extension when renaming in Options->File Operations->User Interface (if not, ra acts as re)