wren-linux / docs / extras / file-manager.md (as a page)
# Thunar file manager (`extras/file-manager.sh`)
## SYNOPSIS
```
wrenctl install file-manager install it
wrenctl remove file-manager remove it
wrenctl manual file-manager print the manual steps below
thunar open your home folder (or Super+d, then thunar)
thunar ~/Downloads open a folder
Ctrl+L type a path Ctrl+H hidden files Ctrl+T new tab F2 rename
Delete to Trash Shift+Delete delete for good Alt+Up parent folder
```
Thunar is a light graphical file manager from Xfce, from Debian. It is GTK, so
it runs natively on Wayland. gvfs gives it the Trash, and tumbler draws
thumbnails. It is made the default for folders, so "open containing folder" in
Firefox opens it. USB drives are mounted with `usb mount`, so
Thunar's own volume manager isn't needed.
## LIMITS
- It runs as you with all your files; it adds no isolation.
- tumbler reads the files in a folder you open to draw previews, unsandboxed: be careful opening folders of files you don't trust.
- Emptying the Trash doesn't make the data unrecoverable.
## MANUAL INSTALL
```
# Thunar, the Trash (gvfs) and thumbnails (tumbler)
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends thunar gvfs tumbler
# Make it the default for folders (in ~/.config/mimeapps.list, under
# [Default Applications], replacing an older default)
mkdir -p ~/.config && touch ~/.config/mimeapps.list
grep -qx '\[Default Applications\]' ~/.config/mimeapps.list || echo '[Default Applications]' >>~/.config/mimeapps.list
sed -i '/^inode\/directory=/d; /^\[Default Applications\]$/a inode/directory=thunar.desktop' ~/.config/mimeapps.list
```
To undo:
```
# Thunar; the thumbnailer and the Trash (gvfs) are marked "automatic" instead
# of purged, since other programs can need them: autoremove takes them out
# only if nothing does
sudo apt purge thunar
sudo apt-mark auto tumbler gvfs
sudo apt autoremove --purge
# Forget it as the default for folders
sed -i '/=thunar\.desktop$/d' ~/.config/mimeapps.list
```