A proven file manager
Workhorse
Worker, a file manager with more than 20 years of development, has evolved into a tested, powerful, and functional tool.
Two-pane file managers have been around for a long time. Classic examples include Norton Commander, Total Commander, DiskMaster, and Directory Opus. Created in the same vein, Worker [1], a two-pane file manager for the X Window System, has been actively developed since 1998. Many of Worker's features were developed to meet practical needs, resulting in a functional file and directory management tool.
You can find Worker as worker or workerfm in the package sources of most common distributions. On Arch Linux and derivatives, the program is available via the Arch User Repository. However, the Worker package found in your distribution's repository may not be the latest 4.9.x version. Using the latest version of the program typically requires some DIY work. Having said this, Worker has only minimal dependencies (see Table 1) and can therefore be compiled on almost any system without too much trouble. After downloading the source code [2] and unpacking it, use the code in Listing 1 to compile Worker
Getting Started
When first launched, Worker checks for an existing configuration before opening the main window; an existing configuration can be from an older version of the application. If needed, the start routine will update the configuration (Figure 1).
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Pine64 Halts Production of Linux Devices
With continued DRAM and eMMC shortages, Pine64 has decided to discontinue production of Linux devices.
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.
-
The Linux Kernel Dev Staging Area Now Rejects AI-Generated Patches
Unless a kernel patch is a valid security fix, it will be rejected if it was created using AI.
-
Linux Surpasses Double-Digit Market Share
According to two sources, the Linux operating system has hit a major milestone in market share that naysayers thought would never happen.
-
AI Helped Develop a Linux Exploit
A use-after-free race exploit was discovered and exploited on CentOS Stream 9.
-
Yet Another Linux Kernel Vulnerability Discovered
Affecting millions of systems, a kernel flaw discovered by Qualys could allow users to gain root privileges.
-
Ubuntu 26.10 to Include Ubuntu Certified Hardware Check
If you've ever wondered if your laptop or PC is officially certified to run Ubuntu, that curiosity will soon be met.
-
Substantial Update to IPFire Now Available
The lastest version of IPFire features a fundamental change to how the system handles DNS.