Navigation

Master Termix's navigation system to move through your file system quickly and efficiently. This guide covers all navigation features, from basic movement to advanced techniques.

Interface Overview

Termix uses a clean two-pane layout:

• Left pane: File and directory listing with icons
• Right pane: Preview of the currently selected item
• Header: Current directory path
• Footer: Status information and keyboard shortcuts

Basic Movement

Vertical Navigation

Key	Action	Description
↑	Move up	Select previous item in list
↓	Move down	Select next item in list
J	Move up (Vim)	Vim-style upward movement
K	Move down (Vim)	Vim-style downward movement
Home	Jump to top	Select first item in current directory
End	Jump to bottom	Select last item in current directory

Directory Traversal

Key	Action	Description
Enter	Open/Enter	Open file or enter selected directory
L	Open/Enter	Alternative key for opening
Backspace	Go up	Move to parent directory
H	Go up	Vim-style parent directory navigation

Advanced Navigation Features

Navigation Stack

Termix maintains a navigation history as you move through directories. This allows for intelligent "breadcrumb" navigation:

• When you enter a directory, Termix remembers which item was selected
• Returning to the parent directory automatically selects the folder you came from
• This creates a natural flow for deep directory exploration

Viewport Management

Termix automatically manages the viewport to keep the selected item visible:

• Auto-scrolling: The view automatically scrolls to keep selection in sight
• Page-based movement: Large directories are paginated for performance
• Smart positioning: New selections are positioned optimally on screen

Parent Directory Navigation

The .. entry at the top of each directory listing provides quick access to the parent directory:

• Always available (except at filesystem root)
• Maintains context of where you came from
• Shows parent directory information in preview pane

Preview Pane Navigation

File Content Scrolling

When previewing large files, you can scroll through the content:

Key	Action	Description
Alt + ↑	Scroll up	Move preview content up
Alt + ↓	Scroll down	Move preview content down
Alt + ←	Scroll left	Move preview content left (for wide content)
Alt + →	Scroll right	Move preview content right

Preview Reset

• Preview scrolling resets automatically when you select a new file
• Horizontal and vertical offsets are cleared for each new selection

Navigation Modes

Termix operates in different navigation modes depending on your current activity:

Normal Mode

• Default navigation mode
• All standard movement keys available
• Preview pane updates with selection changes
• File operations accessible

Filtered Navigation Mode

• Active when navigating search results
• Special handling for returning to search context
• Use B to return to original search results
• Different status bar indicators

Search Mode

• Navigation limited while typing search query
• Real-time filtering affects available items
• Esc transitions to filtered navigation

Directory Handling

Large Directories

Termix efficiently handles directories with many files:

• Lazy loading: Only visible items are fully processed
• Pagination: Large lists are broken into manageable pages
• Performance: Maintains responsiveness even with thousands of files

Empty Directories

• Empty directories show appropriate messaging
• Navigation still works (can go up to parent)
• Preview pane indicates directory status

Inaccessible Directories

When encountering permission issues:

• Clear error messages in status bar
• Graceful fallback to accessible parent directory
• No crashes or undefined behavior

Navigation Tips and Tricks

Efficient Directory Traversal

1. Use Vim-style keys: J/K for movement, H/L for traversal
2. Jump to extremes: Home/End for quick positioning
3. Combine with search: Use search to find, then navigate normally

Preview-First Exploration

1. Preview before opening: Check file contents before committing to open
2. Scroll through large files: Use Alt + ↑/↓ to scan content
3. Identify file types: Use previews to understand file structure

Context Awareness

1. Watch the path: Header shows your current location
2. Use the stack: Termix remembers where you came from
3. Status feedback: Footer provides navigation context

Keyboard Navigation Patterns

The "Vim Way"

If you're familiar with Vim, these patterns will feel natural:

h, j, k, l    # Left, down, up, right
H, L          # High (parent), Low (enter)
gg, G         # Go to top, Go to bottom (Home/End)

The "Arrow Way"

For those who prefer arrow keys:

↑↓←→          # Standard directional movement
Backspace     # Go back/up
Enter         # Go forward/enter

Navigation State

Termix tracks several aspects of your navigation state:

• Current directory: Where you are now
• Selected item: Which file/folder is highlighted
• View offset: What portion of the list is visible
• Navigation history: Where you came from
• Search context: Active filters and search state

This state information ensures a consistent and predictable navigation experience.

Performance Considerations

Efficient Navigation

• Directory contents are cached for quick re-entry
• Preview generation is optimized for common file types
• Navigation operations are prioritized for responsiveness

Memory Usage

• Large directories don't consume excessive memory
• Preview content is managed efficiently
• Caching strategies balance speed and resource usage

Next Steps

Now that you understand navigation:

• Learn about File Operations to manipulate files efficiently
• Explore Search & Filter for advanced file finding
• Check out Keyboard Shortcuts for a complete reference

Pro Navigation

The most efficient Termix users combine navigation with search. Use S to narrow down to relevant files, then navigate normally through the results!