File manager nnn 5.2 brings eight contexts and faster disk analysis

The terminal file manager nnn is available in version 5.2 with the codename "Blue Hawaii". The new version of the open-source project brings several functional improvements and a significant performance optimization in calculating disk usage.

The central innovation is the number of simultaneously usable contexts: Previously, users were limited to four parallel sessions. With version 5.2, this number doubles to eight contexts. This significantly increases flexibility in multitasking, as different directories can be managed simultaneously in separate contexts. However, this is a breaking change: existing saved sessions from previous versions are no longer compatible. Users will need to reconfigure their work environments after the update.

The developers have also fundamentally revised the calculation of disk usage. The release notes speak of a "massive" performance improvement, with technical details found in the Release Notes. The optimizations are based on techniques such as Quicksort, minimized disk IO, and buffer reuse, which were already used in previous versions to improve nnn's speed.

Floating Windows and Improved Operation

Another new feature is the option to display file statistics in a navigable floating window. Pressing the f key opens an overlay window that does not take up the entire screen and can be operated interactively. This also works for the output of plugins executed with the prefix >.

The search function has been extended with an "In-Order Fuzzy Search" that delivers results in their natural order. Furthermore, the new version allows user input for copy and move operations, even when no file is selected. This facilitates, for example, pasting from the system clipboard.

Security and New Functions

When deleting more than ten marked files, nnn 5.2 now requires a double confirmation. This security measure is intended to prevent accidental mass deletions, which can occur during extensive file operations. The autocomplete function has also been expanded: pressing the Tab key at the end of an input line automatically completes the name of the currently selected file.

On a technical level, the project has removed support for PCRE1 and replaced it with optional PCRE2 support. The older regex library is no longer being developed, while PCRE2 offers better performance, full Unicode support, and a modern API. To compile with PCRE2, developers must set the flag O_PCRE2=1 and have the libpcre2-dev library installed.

The Preview TUI now supports jelliz for improved file preview. For the native prompt, nnn stores a history file listing recently entered commands. nnn 5.2 also includes smaller fixes, such as the scroll-down arrow indicator, which is now displayed correctly for filtered directories, and an automatic directory refresh after changes to the file selection.

(fo)