kv-file brings desktop-grade file organization to the browser by supporting four specialized browsing modes.

1. macOS Finder Miller Columns (viewMode: columns)

Inspired by NeXTSTEP and macOS Finder, Miller columns arrange your directory tree in horizontal cascading columns:

  • Cascading Exploration: Clicking a folder automatically appends a new column to the right and smoothly scrolls the viewport horizontally.
  • Terminal Inspector Preview: Selecting a file in the final column renders an instant Inspector pane displaying file dimensions, MIME type, modified timestamp, and action buttons.
  • Keyboard Navigation: Navigate the filesystem entirely with the keyboard:
    • ↑ / ↓: Move selection up and down within the active column.
    • →: Open child folder and jump focus to the new column.
    • ←: Jump focus back to the parent column.
    • Enter: Open file or trigger preview.

2. Windows Explorer Detailed List (viewMode: list)

The Detailed List view delivers the traditional Windows Explorer table layout:

  • Multi-Column Sorting: Click any header (Name, Date Modified, Size, Type) to toggle ascending or descending sorting.
  • Range & Multi-Selection:
    • Click: Select a single item.
    • Ctrl + Click: Toggle selection on individual items.
    • Shift + Click: Select a continuous block of files.
    • Ctrl + A: Select all items in the active directory.
  • Inline Renaming: Press F2 or click the filename to rename files in place without opening a dialog.

3. Large Thumbnail Grid View (viewMode: grid)

Optimized for browsing media, photo libraries, and visual assets:

  • Rich Previews: Generates fast image and video thumbnails on the fly.
  • Fluid Responsive Layout: Automatically adjusts card sizes to fill screen width cleanly.
  • Keyboard Navigation: Arrow keys navigate the 2D grid smoothly.

4. Dual-Pane Split View (Alt + S)

For heavy file management workflows (copying, moving, and organizing files across disks), kv-file includes a full dual-pane Commander view:

  • Toggle Shortcut: Press Alt + S to split the viewport into two independent panels.
  • Independent Mounts: The left and right panels can browse completely different storage roots or subdirectories.
  • One-Key File Transfer:
    • F5: Instantly copy selected items from the active pane to the target pane.
    • F6: Instantly move selected items from the active pane to the target pane.
  • Active Focus Indicator: A subtle accent border highlights whichever pane currently holds keyboard focus.

5. Dual Address Bar (Ctrl + L)

Located directly above the main file viewport:

  • Clickable Breadcrumbs: Click any parent folder in the breadcrumb trail to navigate upward immediately.
  • Editable Path Hotkey (Ctrl + L): Press Ctrl + L to toggle the address bar into a raw text input. Type or paste any path (e.g., /documents/reports/2026/) and press Enter to jump directly.