Yazi

A terminal file manager with image previews and Lua plugins

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This page was written by @iluxav from public sources, last updated for v26.9.1 (2026-09-01), and may lag behind new releases.

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v26.9.1 · 1 Sep 2026 9 things you can do 10 changes to know before upgrading

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Browse and manage files in the terminal with Vim-like keys, preview images, videos, PDFs and archives, work on remote servers over SFTP, and extend it with Lua plugins.

What you can do with Yazi

Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, visual mode and selection across directories.

Present at v25.3.2

Preview images, videos, PDFs, archives, code with highlighting, and directories in a scrollable pane.

2 other tools for file preview

Present at v25.3.2

Good to know

Image previews need a terminal with an image protocol (kitty, iTerm2, Sixel) or Überzug++/Chafa; videos, PDFs and archives need external tools such as ffmpeg, poppler and 7-Zip.

Copy, move and delete files in the background with progress and cancellation.

Present at v25.3.2

Find files and jump to directories with fd, ripgrep, fzf and zoxide.

Present at v25.3.2

Good to know

Needs those tools installed.

Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins and themes, installed with a package manager.

Present at v25.3.2

Rename many files at once in your editor.

1 other tool for bulk rename files

Present at v25.3.2

Use Yazi as a file picker for other programs, such as an editor.

2 other tools for file picker

Present at v25.3.2

Move files to the trash, then browse, preview, restore or empty the trash bin inside Yazi.

Present at v25.3.2

Browse, preview and transfer files on remote servers over SFTP.

Since v26.1.4

Good to know

SFTP is the built-in provider; the PR notes known issues to be fixed in later releases.

Who Yazi is for

Terminal users who want a keyboard-driven file manager with previews, including Neovim and Helix users

What it needs

A terminal; optional tools for previews and search (ffmpeg, 7-Zip, jq, poppler, fd, ripgrep, fzf, zoxide, ImageMagick); a terminal with an image protocol for image previews.

How mature it is

Releases since 2023 (versions named by date since v25.2.7); v26.9.1 is the newest. The README says it is in heavy development and to expect breaking changes, and most releases rename config keys or Lua APIs.

New in v26.9.1

Preview large images faster in kitty, which now receives them over shared memory instead of base64.

Also: Theme switches to dark/light sooner at startup; probe responses no longer spill into the bulk-rename editor or shell on exit; fixes for high CPU on exFAT drives, a `cd` crash with `$VAR` paths, flicker on back/forward to a deleted directory, and startup without CA certificates.

1 Sep 2026

Works with

HelixWorks with: Since v25.4.8 Yazi runs directly inside Helix as its file manager (Helix command extensions).

Before you upgrade Yazi

Newest first

v26.9.11 Sep 2026

Character keybindings are matched on the text the terminal reports for the key press (kitty keyboard protocol associated text) instead of the raw key code, and uppercase non-ASCII letters in `keymap.toml` now imply Shift.

Behavior changedInferredAffects: Keymaps with character bindings in terminals that report associated text, and `keymap.toml` entries that use non-ASCII uppercase letters

Read the evidence

v26.9.11 Sep 2026

Directories inside the trash bin now get MIME type `trash/folder/local` (was `folder/trash`), so `trash/**` rules apply when opening, spotting and previewing them; rewrite custom rules that match `folder/trash`. The default folder rules now match `mime = "folder/"` instead of `url = "/"`.

Action requiredInferredAffects: Custom `yazi.toml` open, spotter, previewer or preloader rules that match `folder/trash`

Read the evidence

v26.9.11 Sep 2026

`yazi --debug` and `yazi --clear-cache`, deprecated earlier, are removed and now fail as unknown arguments; use `ya env` and `ya cache clear` instead.

Action requiredInferredAffects: Scripts that run `yazi --debug` or `yazi --clear-cache`

Read the evidence

Show 7 older

v26.9.11 Sep 2026

Building from a source checkout now pulls a patched `ratatui-core` from `github.com/yazi-rs/ratatui` through a `[patch.crates-io]` entry in `Cargo.toml`; offline or vendored builds must allow that Git source (the Nix package sets `allowBuiltinFetchGit = true`).

Action requiredInferredAffects: Packagers and people building from a source checkout with vendored crates or without network access to GitHub

Read the evidence

v26.8.1515 Aug 2026

Rename `[services.domain]` sections to `[sftp.domain]`.

Action requiredAffects: `vfs.toml` files with SFTP services

Read the evidence

v26.8.1515 Aug 2026

Rename `<BackTab>` to `<S-Tab>`; drop `help:filter` (the filter is always on); use `copy dirpath` and `backward wide`/`forward wide`; in `[help]`, `on` becomes `chord`, `run` and `desc` become `action`, and `footer` is removed.

Action requiredAffects: Keymaps that use `<BackTab>`, `help:filter`, `copy dirname` or `backward`/`forward --far`, and themes with a `[help]` section

Read the evidence

v26.5.66 May 2026

The default key for a new tab is now `t` then `t` (was `t`), since `t` then `r` renames a tab.

Behavior changed

Read the evidence

v26.5.66 May 2026

`title_format` is removed (use the `ind-app-title` DDS event), `micro_workers`/`macro_workers` are removed, and the fetcher rule `id` is renamed `group`; Lua is now 5.5.

Action requiredAffects: Configs that set `title_format`, `micro_workers`, `macro_workers` or a fetcher rule `id`, and plugins that rely on Lua 5.4 behavior

Read the evidence

v26.1.44 Jan 2026

Rename `name` to `url` in those rules, and the `mime` fetcher to `mime.local`.

Action requiredAffects: `yazi.toml` rules (open, fetchers, spotters, preloaders, previewers, filetype) and icon `globs` rules that use `name`, and fetcher rules for `mime`

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v26.1.44 Jan 2026

Move `hovered` and `preview_hovered` to `[indicator]` as `current` and `preview`; `$0` is removed from opener rules and `$n`/`$@` are deprecated in favor of the new shell formatting.

Action requiredAffects: Themes that set `hovered` or `preview_hovered` under `[mgr]`, and opener or shell rules that use `$0`, `$n` or `$@` (`%n`, `%*` on Windows)

Read the evidence

Yazi release history 8

v26.9.11 Sep 2026

Preview large images faster in kitty, which now receives them over shared memory instead of base64.

Details

Kitty graphics can be sent over shared memory (`ya env` shows `kgp_shm: true` when the terminal supports it) and the legacy kitty path erases only the part of an image a popup covers. A new `visual_arrow` action re-anchors visual selections; directories in the trash bin now report MIME `trash/folder/local` and the default folder rules match `mime = "folder/*"`; the long-deprecated `yazi --debug` and `yazi --clear-cache` flags are removed.

v26.9.1 binaries for Linux, macOS and Windows, plus `.deb` and Snap packages; shared-memory image transfer needs a terminal that supports it, such as kitty.

Improved: Preview images, videos, PDFs, archives, code with h…Improved: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Behavior changed / inferred: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Action required / inferred: Move files to the trash, then browse, preview, rest…Improved: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…Action required / inferredAction required / inferred

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (osfeed)

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v26.8.1515 Aug 2026

Open the trash bin inside Yazi to preview, restore or empty it.

Details

A trash bin view (`g` then `t`) with restore and empty, drag and drop, bulk create, a help menu that works as a command palette, input history, and automatic dark/light theme switching. SFTP sections in `vfs.toml` move from `[services.domain]` to `[sftp.domain]`.

Also: Image previews in Zellij via the kitty protocol; H/M/L motions.

v26.8.15; official APT repository for Debian and Ubuntu.

Improved: Move files to the trash, then browse, preview, rest…Improved: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Action required: Browse, preview and transfer files on remote server…Action required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

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v26.5.66 May 2026

Name your tabs and resize panes by dragging with the mouse.

Details

Custom tab names (`t` then `r`), drag-resizing panes, a spotter for several files, and `app:theme` to reload themes live. Lua is upgraded to 5.5. Creating a tab moves from `t` to `t` `t`.

v26.5.6.

Improved: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Behavior changed: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Action required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

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v26.1.2222 Jan 2026

Preview the contents of compressed tarballs as a tree.

Details

The archive previewer shows a tree and reads `.tar.gz`, `.tar.bz2` and similar; the file list refreshes when the terminal regains focus.

v26.1.22.

Improved: Preview images, videos, PDFs, archives, code with h…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

Read the evidence

sxyazi/yazi/blob/v26.1.22/CHANGELOG.md

v26.1.44 Jan 2026

Manage files on remote servers over SFTP as if they were local.

Details

A virtual file system with an SFTP provider brings remote file management; shell formatting replaces `$n`/`$@` in shell and opener rules; preview images can be zoomed; each task shows its own progress. Groups v25.12.29 and v26.1.4.

Also: `.deb` packages; `casefy` action for case conversion.

v26.1.4.

Added: Browse, preview and transfer files on remote server…Improved: Preview images, videos, PDFs, archives, code with h…Action requiredAction required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

Read the evidence

v25.5.3131 May 2025

See a directory's size update live as it is calculated, in redesigned tabs.

Details

Tabs are redesigned (`tab_active`/`tab_inactive` move to a `[tabs]` theme section), the spotter shows a directory's size in real time, password input is masked, `ya pkg` replaces `ya pack`, and `[manager]` is renamed `[mgr]`. Groups v25.5.28 and v25.5.31.

Also: Embedded covers in video previews; `quit --code` sets the exit code.

v25.5.31.

Improved: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Action requiredAction required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…Action required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

Read the evidence

v25.4.88 Apr 2025

Use Yazi as the file manager inside Helix, without Zellij or tmux.

Details

Helix (with command extensions) can run Yazi directly. Keymaps can be platform-specific; the new `follow` action jumps to a symlink's target; `arrow prev` and `arrow next` wrap around. `z` now opens fzf and `Z` zoxide.

v25.4.8; the Helix integration needs a Helix build with command extensions.

Improved: Use Yazi as a file picker for other programs, such…Behavior changed: Find files and jump to directories with fd, ripgrep…Action required: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Action required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…Action required: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

Read the evidence

v25.3.22 Mar 2025
Starting point

Manage files in the terminal with Vim-like keys while previewing images, videos, PDFs and code.

Details

Starting point: a terminal file manager with asynchronous file operations, built-in previews, tabs, a Lua plugin system and a package manager (`ya pack`).

Binary releases, most Linux package managers, Homebrew, Cargo. Optional tools enable previews and search.

Added: Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, v…Added: Preview images, videos, PDFs, archives, code with h…Added: Copy, move and delete files in the background with…Added: Find files and jump to directories with fd, ripgrep…Added: Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins an…Added: Rename many files at once in your editor.Added: Use Yazi as a file picker for other programs, such…Added: Move files to the trash, then browse, preview, rest…

Seeded by @iluxav with Claude Code (canido)

Read the evidence

sxyazi/yazi/blob/v25.3.2/README.md

What you can do with Yazi

Browse and manage files with Vim-like keys, tabs, visual mode and selection across directories.

Preview images, videos, PDFs, archives, code with highlighting, and directories in a scrollable pane.

Copy, move and delete files in the background with progress and cancellation.

Find files and jump to directories with fd, ripgrep, fzf and zoxide.

Extend or restyle the interface with Lua plugins and themes, installed with a package manager.

Rename many files at once in your editor.

Use Yazi as a file picker for other programs, such as an editor.

Move files to the trash, then browse, preview, restore or empty the trash bin inside Yazi.

Browse, preview and transfer files on remote servers over SFTP.

Before you upgrade Yazi

Character keybindings are matched on the text the terminal reports for the key press (kitty keyboard protocol associated text) instead of the raw key code, and uppercase non-ASCII letters in `keymap.toml` now imply Shift.

Directories inside the trash bin now get MIME type `trash/folder/local` (was `folder/trash`), so `trash/**` rules apply when opening, spotting and previewing them; rewrite custom rules that match `folder/trash`. The default folder rules now match `mime = "folder/*"` instead of `url = "*/"`.

`yazi --debug` and `yazi --clear-cache`, deprecated earlier, are removed and now fail as unknown arguments; use `ya env` and `ya cache clear` instead.

Building from a source checkout now pulls a patched `ratatui-core` from `github.com/yazi-rs/ratatui` through a `[patch.crates-io]` entry in `Cargo.toml`; offline or vendored builds must allow that Git source (the Nix package sets `allowBuiltinFetchGit = true`).

Rename `[services.domain]` sections to `[sftp.domain]`.

Rename `<BackTab>` to `<S-Tab>`; drop `help:filter` (the filter is always on); use `copy dirpath` and `backward wide`/`forward wide`; in `[help]`, `on` becomes `chord`, `run` and `desc` become `action`, and `footer` is removed.

The default key for a new tab is now `t` then `t` (was `t`), since `t` then `r` renames a tab.

`title_format` is removed (use the `ind-app-title` DDS event), `micro_workers`/`macro_workers` are removed, and the fetcher rule `id` is renamed `group`; Lua is now 5.5.

Rename `name` to `url` in those rules, and the `mime` fetcher to `mime.local`.

Move `hovered` and `preview_hovered` to `[indicator]` as `current` and `preview`; `$0` is removed from opener rules and `$n`/`$@` are deprecated in favor of the new shell formatting.

Preview large images faster in kitty, which now receives them over shared memory instead of base64.

Open the trash bin inside Yazi to preview, restore or empty it.

Name your tabs and resize panes by dragging with the mouse.

Preview the contents of compressed tarballs as a tree.

Manage files on remote servers over SFTP as if they were local.

See a directory's size update live as it is calculated, in redesigned tabs.

Use Yazi as the file manager inside Helix, without Zellij or tmux.

Manage files in the terminal with Vim-like keys while previewing images, videos, PDFs and code.

Directories inside the trash bin now get MIME type `trash/folder/local` (was `folder/trash`), so `trash/**` rules apply when opening, spotting and previewing them; rewrite custom rules that match `folder/trash`. The default folder rules now match `mime = "folder/"` instead of `url = "/"`.