“Far Manager Plugins: Extending a Classic File Manager for Power Users”
Creates a scratchpad panel to collect files from different locations — copy/move files here, then commit changes elsewhere.
Far Manager exposes a C-based Plugin API (versions 1.70 through 1.85 in modern builds). Key interfaces include:
Plugins can export custom file system views (e.g., inside archives or FTP sites), transform file panels, or add editor commands. Modern Far builds (Far 3.x) support Unicode and x64 architectures, with most plugins migrated from earlier x86 versions.
Far Manager is a timeless tool because it is a platform, not just an application. The plugins listed in this guide transform a simple file manager into a powerhouse for developers, sysadmins, and data wranglers.
If you have been using Far without plugins, you are only using 20% of its potential. Start small: install TmpPanel and Colorer today. Tomorrow, add FarGit or NetBox. Within a week, you will wonder how you ever navigated a terminal or a file system without them. far manager plugins
The command line is eternal. With plugins, Far Manager ensures it is also efficient, beautiful, and infinitely powerful.
Far Manager plugins have revolutionized the way users interact with their file manager, providing a high degree of customizability, extensibility, and flexibility. With thousands of plugins available, users can tailor Far Manager to their specific needs, without having to modify the core application. The plugin architecture has fostered a sense of community among developers and users, with many plugins being developed and shared by enthusiasts.
As Far Manager continues to evolve, it is likely that the plugin architecture will remain a key part of its development, allowing users to extend its functionality and customize their experience. Whether you're a power user, developer, or simply someone who wants to get the most out of their file manager, Far Manager plugins offer a world of possibilities, waiting to be explored.
Far Manager is a classic, console-based file manager for Windows, known for its extreme speed and keyboard-driven workflow. While the base program is powerful, its true strength lies in its extensive plugin ecosystem, which can transform it from a simple file explorer into a full-fledged IDE, network manager, or system diagnostic tool. Essential Far Manager Plugins
FTP & Network: Far Manager comes with a built-in FTP plugin that treats remote servers like local folders, allowing you to copy, move, and edit files over the network seamlessly. “Far Manager Plugins: Extending a Classic File Manager
MultiArc: This plugin allows Far to treat archives (like .zip, .7z, or even .lib and .a files) as folders, letting you browse and modify their contents without extracting them.
ConEmu Background: Often used in tandem with the ConEmu console emulator, this plugin adds modern graphical features like background images, tabbed interfaces for viewers/editors, and drag-and-drop support.
ESC (Editor Syntax Coloring): A vital tool for developers, this plugin adds syntax highlighting to the Far editor for numerous programming languages and configuration files.
PanelTabs: A productivity-focused plugin that enables multiple tabs within the file panels, making it easier to jump between distant directories. How to Install Plugins
Plugins for Far Manager typically come as .dll files (often packaged in a folder). Far Manager Encyclopedia - Documentation & Help Creates a scratchpad panel to collect files from
Far Manager's modular architecture is what transforms it from a simple console-based file shell into a powerful, custom-built workstation. Plugins, which are essentially DLL modules interacting with the Far API, allow you to extend the manager's capabilities to include everything from FTP clients and hex editors to advanced syntax highlighting. Essential Plugins for Every User
Most Far Manager distributions already come with standard plugins for everyday tasks.
ArcLite: Provides native support for creating and extracting archives like ZIP and 7-Zip.
NetBox: A comprehensive client for secure file transfers, supporting protocols like FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV.
Temporary Panel: Creates a "virtual" file list from different folders, letting you process multiple files simultaneously without moving them.
Network Browser: Allows you to browse, mount, and disconnect network shared resources directly from the file panel. Productivity & Development Plugins
For power users and developers, these plugins add IDE-like features to the console: Far Manager Encyclopedia - Documentation & Help