Double Commander — Cross-Platform Dual-Pane File Manager with Plugin Support
Double Commander is an open-source file manager inspired by the classic Total Commander, but designed to run on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It keeps the familiar dual-pane layout, but modernizes it with Unicode support, tabbed navigation, and a full plugin system. Because it’s built with the Lazarus IDE in Free Pascal, the same codebase works across platforms, making it a solid choice for mixed-OS environments.
In brief
A dual-pane, cross-platform file manager with advanced search, archive handling, and a Total Commander-compatible plugin system.
What it’s like to use
Two panes, each with its own tab bar, give you a constant “source and destination” view. Keyboard shortcuts mirror those in Total Commander, so anyone migrating will feel at home immediately. Archives open like folders, letting you browse and copy from inside ZIP, TAR, RAR, and more without manual extraction.
Its search tool is fast and allows filtering by content, not just filename. You can batch rename files, compare directories, and synchronize folders — all without touching an external utility. Plugins extend functionality for tasks like file previews, content comparison, or connecting to remote storage.
Technical profile
| Feature | Detail |
| Layout | Dual-pane with tabs |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Protocols | FTP, SFTP via plugins |
| Archive formats | ZIP, TAR, RAR, 7z, GZ, BZ2 |
| Search | File name, content, regex |
| Customization | Toolbars, color schemes, key bindings |
| Plugins | Total Commander WCX, WDX, WFX compatible |
| License | GPL (open source) |
Why people choose it
– Cross-platform — same tool across all major desktop OSes.
– Compatible with many Total Commander plugins.
– Highly customizable look and behavior.
– Portable builds available for Windows and Linux.
Getting started
1. Download the build for your OS from the official site.
2. Extract (portable) or install via your package manager or installer.
3. Configure keyboard shortcuts, color themes, and toolbars.
4. Add plugins if needed, especially for remote access.
Common use cases
– Comparing two project directories and syncing changes.
– Batch renaming files with regex patterns.
– Browsing and extracting files from large archives without unpacking them fully.
– Running the same file management setup on Windows at work and Linux at home.
Security tips
– Use SFTP plugins instead of plain FTP for remote connections.
– Verify plugin sources before installing.
Limitations
– GUI is functional but less polished than some commercial tools.
– Some Total Commander plugins may not be 100% compatible.
How it compares
| Tool | Strengths | Best fit |
| Double Commander | Dual-pane, cross-platform, plugins | Users switching from Total Commander or needing portability |
| Total Commander | Mature ecosystem, polished on Windows | Windows-first users |
| FreeCommander | Windows-native, simple UI | Lightweight local management |
| Krusader | KDE dual-pane with KDE integration | Linux/KDE users |
Real-world examples
– A sysadmin keeps production logs open in one pane and a local archive folder in the other, syncing them nightly.
– A developer batch-renames source files across multiple project folders in seconds.
Alternatives
Total Commander, Krusader, FreeCommander.
Minimal setup checklist
– Installed or portable version ready.
– Favorite folders saved.
– Plugins for needed protocols installed.