Classic Commander for Mac · Beta
Classic Commander: the two-panel file manager your fingers already know
Two panels side by side, function keys along the bottom, Space to see how big a folder really is. If you spent years in Total Commander, you can start working on a Mac without learning anything new.
Download the beta Buy — $29.99
Official download from MacPlus Software · Version 0.1.1 ·
macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon and Intel · Free for 14 days · one-time purchase, 3 Macs
A commander, not a Finder in disguise
Classic Commander shows two folders at once. The panel you work in has a blue frame; the other one is where copies and moves go. Tab switches between them, arrows move the cursor, Insert and Space select, and the function keys at the bottom do the rest. Letter keys never fire commands by accident: quick search lives on ⌥, so typing a name is always safe.
What it does
Space counts a folder
Press Space on a folder: it is selected and its real size appears in the Size column. ⌥⇧↩ sizes every folder in the panel at once, and Esc stops counting.
Two panels, tabs in each
Every panel has its own tabs. ⌘T opens a new one at the same folder with the same sort order, ⌘W closes it, ⌃Tab moves to the next. Each tab keeps its own sort.
Copy and move with progress
F5 copies and F6 moves to the folder in the other panel. A progress window shows how far it got, and Cancel stops it.
Trash first, delete on purpose
F8 moves files to the macOS Trash, where you can put them back. ⇧F8 deletes for good, only when you ask for it.
Quick search without the mouse
Hold ⌥ and type the first letters of a name: the cursor jumps to the match. ⌥↓ and ⌥↑ step through the other matches.
Command palette
Press ⌘K and type: commands, recent folders, your hotlist, drives and open tabs, all in one list. ⌘↩ opens the folder in the other panel.
View, Quick Look, edit
F3 shows a file in the built-in viewer with search inside it. ⌘Y opens Quick Look. F4 opens the file in the app you edit it with.
Hotlist and drives
Ctrl+D opens your hotlist of folders, Ctrl+Shift+D adds the current one. Alt+F1 and Alt+F2 pick the drive for the left and right panel.
Drag in, drag out
Drag files from a panel to the Finder, Mail or any other app, or drop files from the Finder into a panel.
The keys you already know
F1 shows the same list inside the app.
| F3 | View the file |
|---|---|
| F4 | Open the file in its default app |
| F5 / F6 | Copy / move to the other panel |
| ⇧F6 | Rename |
| F7 | New folder |
| F8 / ⇧F8 | Move to Trash / delete |
| Alt+F7 | Find files |
| Space | Select, and size a folder |
| Insert | Select and move down |
| Num+ / Num− / Num* | Select by mask / unselect / invert |
| Tab | Switch to the other panel |
| ↩ / ⌫ | Open / go to the parent folder |
| ⌥ + letters | Quick search |
| Ctrl+F3 … Ctrl+F6 | Sort by name, extension, date, size |
| Alt+F1 / Alt+F2 | Drive for the left / right panel |
| Ctrl+D | Folder hotlist |
| Ctrl+H | Show hidden files |
| ⌘T / ⌘W / ⌃Tab | New tab / close tab / next tab |
| ⌘K | Command palette |
| ⌘Y | Quick Look |
Made for macOS
Looks at home on a Mac
Light, Dark or System appearance, bold folders if you like them, and an interface size you can set in Settings.
Toolbar your way
Buttons for F3–F9, back, forward, home, Terminal and Settings, with a choice of icon styles.
Terminal one click away
Open Terminal at the folder you are in, from the toolbar or with a right click.
Nine languages
English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil) and Ukrainian.
What’s new in 0.1.1
- ⌘Y opens Quick Look on the file under the cursor or on the selected files.
- Open a folder in Classic Commander from the Finder: Open With, or the Open in Classic Commander service.
- Space counts up to three folders at once. A folder waiting its turn shows “…”, and a folder that cannot be read shows “No access”.
- Shift+arrows select and unselect, like Insert.
- Copy and paste work in the search box and other text fields.
- A new app icon, and a second one to choose in Settings → Appearance.
- The viewer shows pictures and text larger when you make it larger.
- A refreshed look: new colours, a taller title bar, and readable menus and dialogs in the dark theme.
Documentation
Every key and every setting, from first launch and folder access to the hotlist and the command line.
Frequently asked questions
Is Classic Commander a subscription?
No. It is a one-time purchase, $29.99, and one license covers 3 Macs.
Can I try it before buying?
Yes. The download is the full app. Free for 14 days.
Which Macs does it run on?
macOS 14 Sonoma or later, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Why does it ask for access to Desktop, Documents and Downloads?
macOS hides these folders from every app until you allow them. Classic Commander has a Folder access window with one button per folder, and a button that opens Full Disk Access in System Settings, where you drag the app into the list.
Does F8 delete files for good?
No. F8 moves them to the Trash, and you can put them back from there. ⇧F8 deletes permanently.
Is there a built-in text editor?
F3 views a file inside Classic Commander. F4 opens it in the app your Mac uses for that kind of file.
How do I get help or report a bug?
Use Help → Send Feedback in the app, or the Contact Us form on this site.
Try the Classic Commander beta
Free for 14 days. No account, no credit card.
Download the beta Buy — $29.99
Official download from MacPlus Software · Version 0.1.1 ·
macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon and Intel · one-time purchase, license for 3 Macs