arFiles

arFiles File Manager 2.1
========================

    $VER: arFiles 2.1 (26.10.2026)
    A Finder-style file browser for AROS
    By
    serk118()gmail.com

ABOUT
-----

arFiles is a graphical file browser built with MUI and custom BOOPSI
classes.  It uses a Finder-like layout with a sidebar, a compact toolbar,
a file list and a clickable path bar.

The toolbar is kept simple:

    <  >   folder name   [gear]   [ Search ]

    < >     go back / forward
    name    the folder you are currently viewing
    gear    opens the theme list
    Search  filters the current listing as you type


REQUIREMENTS
------------

    - AROS (x86_64 build; tested on hosted AROS)
    - muimaster.library (MUI)
    - A screen with enough colours for the selected theme


INSTALLATION
------------

Copy the following files to SYS:Tools:

    arFiles
    arFiles.info        (optional Workbench icon)
    arFiles.assoc       (created automatically, optional)

Start it from Wanderer, from a Shell, or from User-Startup:

    SYS:Tools/arFiles
    SYS:Tools/arFiles SYS:Development

The optional argument is the directory to open at startup.


USING arFiles
-------------

Navigation
    Double-click a folder, or select it and press Return, to open it.
    Use the < and > arrows in the toolbar to go back and forward.
    Click a location in the left sidebar.
    Press Backspace in the file list to go to the parent directory.

Selecting files
    Left-click selects a single item.
    Ctrl-click toggles an item in a multi-selection.
    Shift-click selects a range.

Opening files
    Double-click a file, or select it and press Return.
    arFiles picks a tool from the file extension and, if needed, from the
    file's magic bytes.

Search
    Click the Search field in the toolbar and type.
    The list filters as you type.
    Backspace deletes a character, Return leaves the field, Escape clears
    the search.

Right-click menu
    Right-click a file, a folder, or empty list space to open the Actions
    menu:

        Open                 Open the selected item
        Open With...         Choose a command for this file type
        Copy                 Copy the selection
        Cut                  Cut the selection
        Paste                Paste into the current folder
        Delete               Delete the selection (with progress)
        Rename               Rename the selected item
        New Folder           Create a new folder
        Add to Favourites    Add a folder to the sidebar
        Refresh              Reload the current folder
        Close                Close the menu

    Items that need a selection are disabled when you click empty space.

Opening a file with a different tool
    Right-click the file and choose "Open With...".

    Enter the command used to open this file type.  Use %s where the file
    name should go.  Examples:

        MPlayer "%s"
        SYS:Utilities/MultiView "%s"
        SYS:Tools/MyViewer %s

    The choice is remembered for that extension.  If the command has no
    %s, the quoted file name is appended automatically.

    Associations are stored in PROGDIR:AROSFiles.assoc, next to the arFiles
    executable.  The format is:

        ext=command
        *=command for files without an extension

Built-in defaults
    Images, text, PDF      SYS:Utilities/MultiView
    Audio                  C:Play
    Video                  MPlayer / AMP / MooVID if installed,
                           otherwise MultiView

    AROS does not include a video player in the base installation.  If
    video files open in the wrong tool, install a player and set it once
    with "Open With...".

Favourites
    Right-click a folder and choose "Add to Favourites".
    To add the current folder instead, right-click empty space in the file
    list and choose "Add to Favourites".
    Right-click a favourite in the sidebar to remove it.

    Favourites are stored in PROGDIR:AROSFiles.favourites.  Each line is:

        Label=Path

    or simply:

        Path

    The default entries are built in; the file only stores the entries you
    add.

Themes
    Click the gear icon in the toolbar to open the theme list.
    Available themes:

        Light, Colorful, Dark, Darker, Nord, Dracula,
        Forest, Ocean, Sunset, Sakura,AROS,Amiga

    Click a theme to apply it immediately; the list closes.

Copying and moving
    Copy / Cut / Paste use a temporary clipboard file in T:.
    A progress bar is shown during copies and deletes.
    Drag a selection onto another arFiles window to copy files there.
    Cross-instance drag uses T:AROSFiles.drag and the per-instance window
    registry files.


COMMAND LINE
------------

    arFiles [directory]

    Examples:

        SYS:Tools/arFiles
        SYS:Tools/arFiles SYS:Development


FILES CREATED AT RUNTIME
------------------------

    PROGDIR:AROSFiles.assoc       file-type associations
    PROGDIR:AROSFiles.favourites  user favourites

    T:AROSFiles.clip              clipboard
    T:AROSFiles.sel               current selection
    T:AROSFiles.drag              drag payload
    T:AROSFiles.refresh           cross-instance refresh target
    T:AROSFiles.win.<task>        per-instance window and directory

    The AROSFiles.* names are kept for compatibility with earlier versions.


KNOWN LIMITATIONS
-----------------

    - File icons are generic folder/document icons.
    - Rename, Settings and Open With windows use the stock MUI look.
    - Selection is cleared when the folder, filter or sort order changes.
    - Video playback depends on a player being installed.
    - Drag and drop between instances is still being tested.


NOTES
-----

arFiles is provided as-is.  Back up important files before testing Copy,
Cut, Delete or drag operations.

    $VER: arFiles 2.1 (26.10.2026)