Launching nnn File Browser Within Helix

Aug 11, 2026

Helix did not have a built-in file tree. I'm still not satisfied with the one it currently has, one of the benefits of having a file tree in your editor is being able to move or delete files. Especially since Finder on Mac is so poor.

This is what I use to launch the terminal file browser nnn from Helix.

[keys.normal.space]
l = ":sh kitten @ launch --no-response --type overlay --cwd current -- ~/bin/hx_send %{buffer_name}"
#!/usr/bin/env bash

files=$(/opt/homebrew/bin/nnn -o -p - -- $1)
for item in $files; do
  kitten @ send-text --match state:overlay_parent ":open $item\r"
done
https://overlandandseas.dev/posts/atom.xml