Automic VaultAutomic Vault

brew

Install lf with Homebrew, apk, apt, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, winget, zypper

Terminal file manager. Version 41 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install lf

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install lf

MacPorts ports tree · sysutils/lf/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add lf

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · lf · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install lf

Debian stable package indexes · lf · source: deb.debian.org

Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#lf

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/lf/lf/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S lf

Arch Linux sync databases · lf · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install lf

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · lf · source: download.opensuse.org

Windows

Scoopverified · 92%
scoop install main/lf

Scoop official bucket manifest trees · bucket/lf.json · source: api.github.com

Windows Package Managerverified · 92%
winget install --id LlamaFarm.CLI -e

Windows Package Manager source index · LlamaFarm.CLI · source: cdn.winget.microsoft.com

overview

Package summary

Terminal file manager

Commands and aliases

  • lf

history

Project history and usage

`lf`, short for 'list files', is a terminal file manager written in Go and heavily inspired by ranger. It packages the familiar keyboard-driven file-manager workflow as a single static binary with shell-extensible commands.

Project history

The `gokcehan/lf` repository was created on August 13, 2016. Its README describes a cross-platform terminal file manager with ranger inspiration, fast startup, low memory footprint, asynchronous I/O, a server/client architecture, remote commands, shell-command extensibility, and configurable keybindings.

The official documentation can be read inside the program with `lf -doc`, via the `help` command, as a man page, or online in `doc.md`, which reinforces the package's culture as a terminal-first application rather than a GUI file browser.

Adoption history

lf became a staple option in the small but active terminal-file-manager ecosystem. The package metadata in this batch lists packages across Alpine, Homebrew, Debian, MacPorts, Nix, Arch, Scoop, Ubuntu, winget, and openSUSE, which matches its cross-platform design.

How it is used

Users launch `lf` in a directory, navigate with keyboard bindings, preview files, run shell commands, and use configuration files such as `lfrc`, `colors`, and `icons` to tailor behavior. Its design encourages composing with external previewers, openers, editors, and shell scripts.

Why package nerds care

Package nerds care about lf because it is a modern Go-era reinterpretation of ranger: fast single-binary distribution, portable packaging, and deliberate reliance on external Unix tools for parts of the workflow. It is also a good example of a TUI program whose package value is mostly ergonomics and glue, not a daemon or library.

Timeline

  • 2016: The `gokcehan/lf` repository was created on August 13, 2016.
  • 2016: The project was shared publicly as 'lf: A terminal file manager' in command-line communities.
  • 2018: Release discussions around r5 show lf already had a user-feedback loop around terminal-file-manager behavior.
  • 2026: The upstream repository remained active, with Homebrew packaging and documented cross-platform installation paths.

Related projects

  • lf is most directly related to ranger, its stated inspiration. It sits beside other terminal file managers such as nnn, vifm, yazi, mc, and broot, and it depends culturally on shell tools, preview commands, terminal emulators, and editor integrations.

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

  • narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

  • metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
  • Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
  • Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

local files

Configuration and credential file locations

These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.

Configuration files

Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.

Unix
/etc/lf/lfrc~/.config/lf/lfrc/etc/lf/colors~/.config/lf/colors/etc/lf/icons~/.config/lf/icons
Windows
C:\ProgramData\lf\lfrcC:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\lf\lfrcC:\ProgramData\lf\colorsC:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\lf\colorsC:\ProgramData\lf\iconsC:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\lf\icons

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
lfcliglobal executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08
manager version41
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

  • infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
  • infoNo cached GitHub release or tag data was available.https://github.com/gokcehan/lfnone confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:lf
Version41
Package managerHomebrew
Package manager pagehttps://formulae.brew.sh/formula/lf
Homepagehttps://godoc.org/github.com/gokcehan/lf
Repositoryhttps://github.com/gokcehan/lf
Upstream docshttps://github.com/gokcehan/lf#readme
LicenseMIT
Source archivehttps://github.com/gokcehan/lf/archive/refs/tags/r41.tar.gz
Build dependenciesgo
Bottleavailable (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-installnot defined
Servicenone declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source DatabaseHomebrew formula API
Taphomebrew/core
Full Namelf
Version Scheme0
Revision0
Head VersionHEAD
Bottle Stable Root URLhttps://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecatedno
Disabledno
Keg Onlyno
URL Keys
  • head
  • stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

lf 34+ds-2+b1

terminal file manager written in Go

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apt install lf
  • Section: utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: lf
  • 3 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: lf from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Nix95%

lf

nix profile install nixpkgs#lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/lf/lf/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Ubuntu apt95%

lf 31+ds-1

terminal file manager written in Go

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apt install lf
  • Section: universe/utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 3 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: lf from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
apk95%

lf 41-r3

Terminal filemanager written in Go with vim-style keybindings

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apk add lf
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: lf
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: lf from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

lf-bash-completion 41-r3

Bash completions for lf

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apk add lf-bash-completion
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: lf-bash-completion from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

lf-doc 41-r3

Terminal filemanager written in Go with vim-style keybindings (documentation)

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apk add lf-doc
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: lf-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

lf-fish-completion 41-r3

Fish completions for lf

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apk add lf-fish-completion
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: lf-fish-completion from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

lf-zsh-completion 41-r3

Zsh completions for lf

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo apk add lf-zsh-completion
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: lf-zsh-completion from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
pacman95%

lf 41-1

A terminal file manager inspired by ranger

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo pacman -S lf
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: lf from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz
zypper95%

lf 34-1.5

Terminal file manager (with sixel support)

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo zypper install lf
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Productivity/File utilities
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: lf
  • 1 dependencies
  • 3 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: lf from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
zypper95%

lf-bash-completion 34-1.5

Bash Completion for lf

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo zypper install lf-bash-completion
  • License: MIT
  • Category: System/Shells
  • Architecture: noarch
  • Source Package: lf
  • 2 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: lf-bash-completion from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
zypper95%

lf-fish-completion 34-1.5

Fish Completion for lf

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo zypper install lf-fish-completion
  • License: MIT
  • Category: System/Shells
  • Architecture: noarch
  • Source Package: lf
  • 2 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: lf-fish-completion from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
zypper95%

lf-zsh-completion 34-1.5

Zsh Completion for lf

https://github.com/gokcehan/lf

sudo zypper install lf-zsh-completion
  • License: MIT
  • Category: System/Shells
  • Architecture: noarch
  • Source Package: lf
  • 2 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: lf-zsh-completion from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
MacPorts95%

lf

sudo port install lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/lf/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Scoop95%

main/lf

scoop install main/lf
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Scoop official bucket manifest trees · api.github.com · Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/lf.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1
winget95%

LlamaFarm.CLI

winget install --id LlamaFarm.CLI -e
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Lf
Windows Package Manager source index · cdn.winget.microsoft.com · Windows Package Manager source index: LlamaFarm.CLI from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

Related tools

  • goBuild dependency declared by Homebrew.

Same workflow

  • superfileShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, file-management, file-manager, go, productivity.
  • midnight-commanderShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, file-management, file-manager, productivity, terminal.
  • projectableShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, file-management, file-manager, productivity, terminal.
  • xplrShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, file-management, file-manager, productivity, terminal.
  • yaziShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, file-management, file-manager, productivity, terminal.
  • ctpvShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, file-management, file-manager, productivity, terminal.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub.

combined/lf.yml

Used sources

  • Geiger risk classifier
  • Nucleus package database
  • av.db category and tag curation
  • cross-ecosystem install command graph
  • curated configuration and credential file locations
  • curated package history
  • external package-manager database matches
  • package relationship graph
  • package version freshness
  • package-page enrichment