# Orthodox file managers (OFMs)

**URL:** <https://pluralist.net/t/orthodox-file-managers-ofms/268>\
**Category:** Zettelkastengarten\
**Created:** [May 11, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://pluralist.net/t/orthodox-file-managers-ofms/268 "2025-05-11T14:22:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![delyan](https://pluralist.net/user_avatar/pluralist.net/delyan/32/245_2.png) [@delyan](https://pluralist.net/u/delyan)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://pluralist.net/t/orthodox-file-managers-ofms/268/1 "2025-05-11T14:22:11Z")

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Orthodox file managers (OFMs) are dual-pane, keyboard-first file managers modeled on 1986’s Norton Commander. They present two directory panels side-by-side and map common actions to the F-keys (F1–F10) for rapid copy, move, view, edit, and delete operations. Popular examples include [Midnight Commander](https://midnight-commander.org/) (Linux/Unix), [Total Commander](https://www.ghisler.com/) and [Far Manager (Windows)](https://www.farmanager.com/), Double Commander (cross-platform), and Krusader (KDE). OFMs typically treat archives and remote resources as virtual directories and support plug-ins, internal viewers, and editors. Their shared layout and shortcuts let power users move between implementations almost seamlessly.