Nemo — The Cinnamon Desktop File Manager
Nemo is the default file manager for the Cinnamon desktop, best known from Linux Mint. At first glance it feels like a straightforward, modern file browser — single window, familiar icons, and a sidebar for places and mounts. But it’s built with power in mind: tabs, dual-pane mode, and bulk file operations that make it more than just a “click and open” tool.
Unlike some minimal file managers, Nemo doesn’t shy away from extra features if they improve daily work. Context menus tie directly into system tools, and extensions let it grow alongside your workflow.
Everyday workflow
Opening multiple directories is simple with tabs. For heavier tasks, you can split the view into two panes and drag files across without clutter. Built-in search is fast and respects both file names and contents. Archive support is seamless — opening a .tar.gz or .zip shows it like any other folder.
For remote work, Nemo integrates with GVFS, so SSH, FTP, WebDAV, and Samba shares mount directly into the tree. A quick right-click gives you “Open in Terminal” for command-line work or “Run as Administrator” when privileges are needed.
Quick reference
| Feature | Detail |
| Platform | Linux (Cinnamon desktop, but works on other GTK environments) |
| Interface | Tabs, optional dual-pane, sidebar navigation |
| Remote access | GVFS backends: SSH, FTP, SMB, WebDAV |
| Archive support | Built-in: zip, tar, gzip, etc. |
| Extensions | Actions, scripts, plugins for bulk renaming, media, git integration |
| License | GPL (open source) |
Why people like it
– Smooth integration with Cinnamon but not locked to Mint.
– Dual-pane and tabs make complex file moves easy.
– Remote shares mount as if they were local folders.
– Extensions keep it flexible without bloating the core.
Real-world scenarios
– A developer browses a Git working directory, with an extension showing branch info in the status bar.
– An office worker drags reports into a Samba share without needing to touch the terminal.
– A sysadmin uses dual-pane mode to compare log directories on two different servers mounted over SSH.
Things to keep in mind
– Linux only; no Windows or macOS builds.
– Extension support is broad, but version mismatches can cause occasional breakage.