Enabling Quick view / preview for directories

[ggladilov]

Currently, if I toggle Right -> Quick View my right pane will show content of a file selected on left pane
However, if left pane selected item is directory - it shows "Cannot view: not a regular file"

I tried to change it using custom rules in mc.ext.ini, but failed

Is there a way to reach the behavior, when if selected item on left pane is a file - right pane shows content of a file (already available) and if selected item on left pane is a directory - right pane shows content of a directory (e.g. 1-level deep)

[zyv]

Your observations are correct. Quick view is not currently implemented for directories, and there is nothing you can do about it by tweaking the mc.ext.ini file.

I checked how it works in FAR (I didn't try NC), and it shows information about the directory instead. I think this behavior is useful and would like to see it implemented:

However, we are not able to tackle that with the resources at hand.

Regarding the directory listing, I don't think it's useful, and I don't know of any other file managers that have something like that.

Even if you do the listing one level deep, you need to differentiate between directories and files and ideally show some information about them. An endless discussion would ensue about which information to show and how to show it. Ultimately, it comes down to implementing a full panel.

This brings me to the next idea: maybe we could show the last selected panel mode for a quick view of directories and make it an option.

However, I don't think it's practical and logical. I would much rather have proper directory information implemented at some point.

[ggladilov]

Thanks for quick reply!

Well, I guess anything better than just "Cannot view: not a regular file"

Agree it's subjective topic what to show in quick view for directories; I'd maybe argue the best way to proceed is to allow customization? You could come up with some sort of default behavior but if I could display output of my custom shell command on whatever file/folder on the panel - I'd be happier. Seems like app already supports that for files, hopefully adding support for directory makes sense as well. My request above would map onto something like "ls -l" output in the quick view

Even if you do the listing one level deep, you need to differentiate between directories and files and ideally show some information about them.

Just to clarify (I am not trying to push for this behavior as default) what I mean is in Quick view when item selected on left pane is a directory - show on right pane whatever is displayed when you just open that directory in the mc; so I imagine that the right pane format would be exactly the same as for left pane, just another directory opened

[zyv]

Agree it's subjective topic what to show in quick view for directories; I'd maybe argue the best way to proceed is to allow customization?

At this point, I think it sounds more like two different feature requests :)

1. Show useful information for directories in quick view mode
2. Allow customization of Quick View using a mechanism like mc.ext.ini, including for directories

Regarding (1), I like the idea and think it's a good suggestion. I would welcome something consistent with what other Unix managers show in quick view mode.

Regarding (2), that is probably a more complicated topic which could lead to more contention, but I wouldn't oppose it on principle. I just think it warrants a well-thought-out proposal in order to make things less messy and more flexible.

In any case, without really good PRs, it is unlikely that anything will happen in this area... :(

[ggladilov]

Thanks for conversation

I'm not in a position to open a PR, but is there anything else I can do for this requests? Not sure what the process is for this project, but maybe I need to file some feature request(s)?

I am also fine with marking this question as resolved

[zyv]

I'm not in a position to open a PR, but is there anything else I can do for this requests? Not sure what the process is for this project, but maybe I need to file some feature request(s)?

You are welcome to file feature requests, especially regarding the first point. I just wanted to manage your expectations. We will not be able to act on them unless someone submits a pull request in the first case and a good plan and PR in the second case. This way, you will hopefully not be too disappointed if nothing happens afterwards.

I am also fine with marking this question as resolved

Thank you!