SpaceFM — A File Manager That Prefers Panels Over Gimmicks
Most Linux desktops come with a file manager that looks clean but keeps you locked into one or maybe two panes. SpaceFM doesn’t bother with minimalism: it lets you open up to four panels, each with its own tabs, so you can spread out your filesystem like a workbench. It feels old-school in design, but that’s part of its charm — everything is visible, configurable, and not hidden behind menus.
Daily work with it
A typical workflow might be having /etc open in one pane, /var/log in another, and a removable drive in a third. Moving files across them is drag-and-drop simple, but if you prefer automation, you can wire custom commands straight into the context menu. Many admins drop in scripts they use daily so they don’t have to jump back to the terminal.
Device handling is baked in: plug in a USB stick, and SpaceFM (via udev) mounts it right there. Plugins cover the usual extras — bulk rename, archive browsing, even system monitors — so it grows with you rather than staying barebones.
Quick reference
| Feature | Detail |
| Platform | Linux (GTK-based) |
| Layout | Up to 4 panels, each with tabs |
| Customization | User commands, right-click menus, plugins |
| Device handling | Auto-mount/unmount via udev |
| Extras | Bulk renaming, archive integration, terminal |
| License | GPL (open source) |
Why it sticks with some users
– Four panels is overkill for casuals but perfect for admins.
– Right-click actions make it a mini control center.
– Mounts and permissions handled without leaving the GUI.
– Doesn’t eat much memory, even with plugins.
Real situations
– A sysadmin keeps log files open in one pane while copying configs to a mounted backup drive in another.
– A researcher mounts encrypted disks and drags results into place, skipping terminal commands.
– A power user binds scripts for cleaning directories right into the file manager’s menu.
Things to watch
– Strictly Linux — nothing for Windows or macOS.
– UI looks dated; more like a 2000s tool than a polished GNOME app.
– Flexibility can overwhelm if all you want is a basic browser.
Comparison
| Tool | What it offers | Where it fits |
| SpaceFM | Multi-panel, plugins, scripts | Admins and power users who want control |
| PCManFM | Lightweight, minimal | Users needing speed over features |
| Dolphin | Modern KDE integration | KDE users wanting polish |
| Thunar | XFCE’s fast and simple tool | Lightweight desktops |
| Nautilus | Default for GNOME, clean UI | General users, casual file browsing |
Minimal checklist
□ Install from repo (Debian, Arch, etc.).
□ Decide if you want 2, 3, or 4 panels active.
□ Add a couple of custom right-click scripts.
□ Check auto-mounting works with removable drives.
□ Drop in plugins for archive or rename tasks.