# Sortable File Explorer An alternative file explorer for Obsidian with drag & drop reordering for custom sorting, multi-select capabilities, and full navigation features. ## How's Sortable File Explorer different? - **Separate from the default File Explorer**: This plugin is a completely separate file explorer from Obsidian's built in option. Runs as its own view, so you keep full access to Obsidian’s native explorer instead of replacing or modifying it. - **Clearer visual hierarchy**: Larger outline-style spacing and icons for easier differentiation, especially in large or deeply nested vaults. - **Persists state**: Remembers both custom sort order and folder collapse state. - **Sync-friendly persistence**: Order/collapse state stored in the plugin’s `data.json` so it can carry across machines when synced. - **Manual custom ordering**: Drag & drop reordering for files and folders. - **Multi-selection**: Range select with Shift; toggle selection with Ctrl/Cmd. - **Batch operations**: Move, duplicate, and delete multiple items at once. - **Inline rename**: Rename files and folders directly in the explorer. - **File Extensions**: Show or hide file extensions with a simple toggle setting. - **External file import**: Drag files from Finder/Explorer into the vault and open them right from Sortable File Explorer. - **Smart drop zones + accurate highlighting**: Distinguishes between dropping into folders vs. reordering between items. - **Keyboard-friendly**: Navigation and shortcuts aligned with common file manager conventions. - **Mobile stance**: Mobile reflects desktop-defined ordering even though drag-and-drop is primarily desktop-oriented. - **Context-menu compatibility**: Designed to work alongside other plugins that add file-explorer context menu items. ![drag to folder](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/232441b8-2913-41b0-bee0-bbe9c42db995) ## Features ### Core Functionality - **Enhanced File Explorer**: Adds a new custom user sortable file explorer. - **Custom Sorting**: Drag and drop files and folders to create your own organization system - **Multi-Selection**: Use Shift-click for range selection or Ctrl/Cmd-click for individual items - **Intelligent Drag & Drop**: Visual indicators show exactly where items will be placed - **Inline Renaming**: Rename files and folders directly in the explorer ![multi select move](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/32c7fc18-1d05-47af-abb8-f89144cd9346) ![drag to pos in folder](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/dbc9a8b2-f47f-446b-b33c-879dbba9d299) ### Advanced Features - **Batch Operations**: Move, duplicate, or delete multiple files at once - **Smart Drop Zones**: Drop onto folder centers to move items inside, or between items to reorder - **External File Import**: Drag files from your operating system directly into Obsidian ![drag to folder](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f225b8c1-813d-4295-b689-850255a1ec88) ![Reordering folders](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9accc70d-839d-4078-8b6e-6622905bbd54) ### User Experience - **Context Menus**: Right-click for file and folder operations - **Keyboard Friendly**: Supports standard selection patterns and navigation - **Visual Feedback**: Clear indicators for drag operations and selections - **Stable Performance**: Optimized for large vaults with throttled operations ![context menus](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7a122f72-601f-4ece-bffe-ee94acfc8c6a) Screenshot 2026-04-03 at 9 39 02 PM ## Installation ### From Community Plugins (Coming after approval by Obsidian) 1. Open Obsidian Settings → Community plugins 2. Browse community plugins and search for "Sortable File Explorer" 3. Install and enable the plugin 4. The sortable file explorer will appear in your sidebar ### Manual Installation 1. Download the plugin files from the releases page 2. Extract to `[your vault]/.obsidian/plugins/sortable-file-explorer/` 3. Restart Obsidian or reload community plugins 4. Enable "Sortable File Explorer" in Settings → Community plugins ## Usage ### Getting Started 1. **Open the View**: Click the folder icon in the ribbon or use "View → Sortable File Explorer" 2. **Basic Navigation**: Single-click files to open them, folders to expand/collapse 3. **Multi-Select**: Hold Shift for range selection. Cmd/Ctrl-click behavior is configurable (new tab vs. multi-select). ### File Operations - **Rename**: Right-click → "Rename..." or use the rename command - **Move Files**: Drag items to new locations or use right-click → "Move to..." - **Create Items**: Right-click in empty space → "New note/folder/canvas" - **Duplicate**: Right-click → "Duplicate" to copy files or entire folders ### Organization Features - **Custom Order**: Drag files and folders to arrange them in your preferred order - **Drop Indicators**: Blue lines show exactly where items will be placed when dropping - **Folder Operations**: Drop onto folder centers to move items inside - **Batch Moving**: Select multiple items and drag them together ## Compatibility - **Obsidian Version**: Requires Obsidian 1.9.0 or newer because this is what I tested with. It may work on past verions. - **Plugin Compatibility**: Designed to incorporate the functionality of other plugins which add things to the file explorer's context menu; however, there are certainly some plugins out there which don't work. ### Mobile support (iOS/Android) - The plugin loads on mobile and preserves/reflects your custom sort order created on desktop. - Drag-and-drop reordering and some desktop-oriented actions (right-click context menus, certain keyboard shortcuts) are not available on mobile due to long‑press/touch limitations. - You can still navigate, open, and rename items via Obsidian’s core mobile actions. For reordering, use the desktop app; changes will display correctly on mobile. ## Settings and Customization The plugin preserves your custom file order and folder collapse states automatically. Sorting data and settings are stored in a data.json inside the plugin's directory. ### Cmd/Ctrl click action - Choose what happens when you Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows/Linux) click a file: - Open file in a new tab (vanilla action) - Select multiple (toggle selection) ### Keyboard shortcuts These mirror the default File Explorer’s common behaviors: - Arrow Up/Down: Move selection - Arrow Right: Expand folder; if already expanded, moves into first child - Arrow Left: Collapse folder; if already collapsed or on a file, move to parent folder - Enter: Open file; toggle folder expand/collapse - Cmd/Ctrl+Enter: Open file in a new tab - F2: Rename selected item - Cmd/Ctrl+A: Select all items - Escape: Clear selection ## License This plugin is licensed under the MIT License. See [LICENSE.txt](LICENSE.txt) for full details. ## Author Created by [Ninjalope](https://github.com/ninjalope) If you find this plugin helpful, consider [supporting development](https://ko-fi.com/ninjalope) ☕ --- **Note**: This plugin modifies the file explorer interface but does not change how Obsidian stores or manages your files. Your vault structure and data remain the same.