1.1 What is Prime?

Prime is a GNU software, part of the GnuDOS package.
Prime is a file manager which works under the GNU/Linux console. It was influenced by other file managers (like the well known XTree Gold which was popular under MS-DOS). It provides a user friendly interface with menus, shortcuts, and key navigation. It is distributed as part of the GnuDOS package which was developed to help users coming from a DOS-like environment feel ease when dealing with the GNU system.
Prime provides multi-level experience, the level of complexity can be adjusted by the user: you want to use DOS-keys with a few basic GNU ones? you want to go with the full power of the GNU system? All are options that are provided by the six levels of experience of Prime:

1. Newbie: All DOS shortcut keys, no GNU keys yet
2. Novice: DOS shortcut keys, some of which are replaced with GNU’s
3. Intermediate: DOS keys with a few more replaced with GNU keys
4. Advanced: ... And more GNU keys in
5. Expert: Very few DOS keys, most are GNU keys
6. Veteran: Only GNU keys, no DOS-like keys

You start with level 1 by default.
To set your level, call prime with the '--level X' or '-l X' option, Where X is the level desired, for example:

$ prime --level 2

1.2 Which keys are defined for which level?

Below is a table showing the DOS-like key combinations along with their respective GNU key bindings. To the right is the level at which a certain key is defined. Each key defined is recognized in higher levels (e.g. level 2 keys are recognized in levels 3-4-5-6). Note that in level 6 only GNU keys are defined, no DOS key will work at all at this level!.

Keybindings:
In the table below, C-something means pressing down CTRL and then pressing the other key. Note that ’^’ is the same as ’C’, meaning CTRL-key, it is just typed like this so DOS users can feel familiar with the text.

The same goes for M-something, which means META or ALT.

1.3 Why should I use it?

If you like using the console (like most GNU/Linux vintage users do), and you come from a DOS background, having a nice and easy way to run through your directory trees and moving files around will be an important asset in your toolset, plus you will easily dive into the GNU system key bindings.

1.4 What do I need?

The program can be invoked from the GNU/Linux console or under GUI from a terminal.

1.5 How to use it?

Simply invoke the ’prime’ executable from your shell:

$ prime

The components of the main window can be found under See Prime main window. The description of the menus is in See Working around with menus. Shortcut keys are detailed in See Using keyboard shortcuts.

If you want to reset the configuration file to it’s default values, invoke prime with one of the following options:

$ prime --reset-config
$ prime -r

You can export the directory tree of a given directory to a given file without starting prime’s main interface by typing:

$ prime -e|--export dirname filename

Note you will only type '-e' or '--export', not both.

Prime loads the directory tree of the current working directory by default. To open prime with the directory tree of another location, type:

$ prime dirname

Where dirname is the path name which is to be loaded to prime on program startup.
Currently there is partial wildcard support. That means for example that you can specify ’~’ to indicate your home directory, and you can use ’*’ inside the program (in the ’Find’ dialog box) but no further wildcards (like ’?’) are supported at that time. For example, entering:

~/projects

In the find dialog box will search the subdirectory ’projects’ of the home directory
The following are examples of accepted ways to enter wildcard strings in the Find file dialog box:

file*
*.c
a*.c