A Handy Trick for Customizing Nautilus File Columns in Linux
Discover how a simple terminal command can enhance your Nautilus file management experience in Linux, making file identification and organization a breeze.
Improving File Management with a Simple Command
As someone who spends a fair amount of time navigating through files on my Linux system, I recently discovered a useful trick for customizing the file columns in Nautilus, the default file manager for many Linux distributions with Gnome as their desktop environment. This small change has made a noticeable improvement in my file management workflow, particularly when it comes to identifying and sorting files.
The Command That Makes It Happen
The key to this customization lies in a single command that can be run in the terminal:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.list-view default-visible-columns "['name', 'size','type', 'date_modified']"
This command modifies the default visible columns in Nautilus to display the file name, size, type, and last modified date.
Why This is Useful
Adding the 'type' column to the default view has been particularly helpful for me. Here's why:
- Quick File Identification: It's now easier to identify file types at a glance, without relying solely on icons or extensions.
- Improved Sorting: The ability to sort files by type has streamlined my file organization process.
- Troubleshooting Assistance: When debugging issues with programs or scripts, being able to quickly discern file types can be quite useful.
- Efficient File Management: During cleanup tasks, having file types readily visible makes it easier to decide which files to keep or remove.
Further Customization
If you're interested in exploring other column options, you can view all available choices with this command:
gsettings get org.gnome.nautilus.list-view default-column-order
This allows you to tailor your file view to your specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
While it might seem like a small change, customizing the Nautilus file columns has made my daily interaction with the Linux file system more efficient and enjoyable. It's a reminder of the flexibility and customization options available in Linux, often just a command away.
If you have any questions about this process or want to share your own Linux customization tips, feel free to reach out to me on Warpcast or BlueSky.
Have fun.
