NSCommander

A dual-pane file manager for Mac, inspired by Norton Commander: two side-by-side panels, the function key bar and a command line, as a native macOS app.

Slated for release in early 2028.

Inspired by Norton Commander

If you grew up on Norton Commander, you know the layout: two folders side by side, the function keys along the bottom and a command line underneath, so you rarely reach for the mouse. Norton Commander never came to the Mac, and Finder still works one window at a time. NSCommander brings that layout to macOS as a native SwiftUI app.

Select files in one panel, press F5 and they're copied to the folder open in the other. F6 moves them, F7 makes a new folder and F8 sends them to the Trash. Tab switches between the panels, and the command line under them runs zsh, with history.

It belongs to the family of "orthodox" file managers that Norton Commander started, alongside Midnight Commander, FAR Manager and Total Commander.

Purchase NSCommander: available early 2028

Features

  • Dual Pane Layout - Side-by-side file browsing with resizable split view
  • Keyboard Navigation - Tab key switches between panes
  • File Operations - Copy, Move, Delete operations between panes
  • Extended Attributes - View xattr info for selected files
  • Integrated Terminal - Built-in zsh command line with history
  • Function Key Bar - Classic F3-F8 shortcuts at the bottom
  • Native Icons - Uses system file icons from NSWorkspace
  • Active Pane Highlight - Visual indication of the focused pane

The first rough alpha, from 2009, when the app was still called OSXCommander.

NSCommander rough alpha, 2009

Keyboard Shortcuts

F4 to F8 do what they did in Norton Commander, so the old muscle memory carries over. On a Mac keyboard, hold fn to use the function keys, or set them to work as standard function keys in System Settings, under Keyboard.

  • Tab Switch between left and right panes
  • Enter Open file or navigate into folder
  • Alt+F3 View file
  • F4 Edit file
  • F5 Copy to other pane
  • F6 Move to other pane
  • F7 Create new folder
  • F8 Delete (move to Trash)
  • Alt+F4 Exit application

A beta from 2025.

NSCommander beta, 2025

Questions

Is there a Norton Commander for Mac?

Not from Norton. Norton Commander was made for DOS and later Windows, and there was never a Mac version. NSCommander is an independent macOS app built around the same idea: two panels, the function key bar and a command line, all usable from the keyboard.

When can I get NSCommander?

It's slated for early 2028. There's no trial or purchase yet. To hear when it ships, email contact@vladalexa.com.

How is it different from Midnight Commander?

Midnight Commander is a text-mode file manager that runs inside Terminal. NSCommander is a regular Mac app with its own window, the system's file icons and a zsh command line built in under the panels.

Is NSCommander made by Norton?

No. NSCommander is made by Vlad Alexa and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the owner of the Norton Commander trademark.