the-file-browser.md

The File Browser

The File Browser is a Medley tool that makes it easy to manipulate files on your disk. It is distinct from the File Manager ("File Package"), which coordinates Lisp definitions in memory and their representation on disk. The File Browser is like the macOS Finder, Windows Explorer, or Gnome's Nautilus.

To run it, select File Browser from the background menu. Hold down the left mouse button and drag to shape the window:

To view all the files in a directory, type * and press Enter, in the File group description prompt:

You can also type a specific file name to work only with that one.

To select a file, use the left mouse button; to select multiple, use the middle mouse button. A file is selected when a solid right-pointing arrow appears to its left. To deselect an already chosen file, hold down the Ctrl/Command key while pressing the middle mouse button.

Once one or more files have been selected, you can perform the operations available to you through the permanent menu FB Commands attached on the right.

Command	What Does it Do
Delete	Marks selected files for deletion (crossed out in the list). Files aren’t removed until you use Expunge.
Undelete	Restores any files previously marked for deletion.
Copy	Copies selected files. You’ll be prompted for a full destination filename (for one file) or a directory (for multiple).
Rename	Moves or renames selected files. You’ll be prompted, for a new filename (single) or a target directory (multiple).
Hardcopy
See	Opens the selected file in a new read-only window for viewing.
Edit	Opens the selected file in the Medley editor. For Lisp files, only the FILECOMS list (functions, variables, etc.) is edited.
Load	Loads selected file(s) into the Medley environment.
Compile	Compiles selected file(s) from disk. If changes were made, use (MAKEFILE 'filename) before compiling.
Expunge	Permanently deletes all files currently marked for deletion.
Recompute	Refreshes the directory listing to reflect any recent changes (e.g., new file versions).