Cloud Commander

beginner

Web-based file manager with console.

Overview

Cloud Commander (cloudcmd) is an orthodox web-based file manager that brings the power and functionality of dual-panel file managers to any web browser. Developed as a Node.js application, cloudcmd recreates the classic Midnight Commander interface in a web environment, complete with keyboard shortcuts, built-in text editor, terminal access, and comprehensive file operations. This tool transforms any server into an accessible file management hub that can be reached from anywhere with an internet connection. This Docker deployment packages cloudcmd into a lightweight, portable container that can be deployed on any Docker-capable system. The configuration exposes the file manager through port 8000 and allows you to mount any directory on the host system for management through the web interface. The containerized approach ensures consistent behavior regardless of the underlying operating system while maintaining direct access to your file systems. Cloud Commander is ideal for system administrators who need remote file management capabilities, developers working across multiple environments, and anyone managing files on headless servers or remote systems. The combination of a familiar dual-panel interface with modern web accessibility makes it particularly valuable for users transitioning from traditional command-line file management to web-based solutions without sacrificing functionality or efficiency.

Key Features

Dual-panel orthodox file manager interface inspired by Midnight Commander with F-key shortcuts
Built-in Monaco text editor for direct file editing through the web interface
Integrated terminal emulator providing command-line access within the same interface
Archive support for creating and extracting ZIP, TAR, and other compressed file formats
File operations including copy, move, delete, rename, and create directories with drag-and-drop support
Syntax highlighting for code files and preview capabilities for images and text documents
Plugin system supporting extensions like FTP client, Markdown viewer, and image gallery
Responsive web interface that works across desktop and mobile devices with touch support

Common Use Cases

1Remote server administration when SSH access is limited or GUI file management is preferred
2Web hosting environments where clients need file management access without shell privileges
3Development environments requiring quick file editing and navigation across remote systems
4Home lab setups for managing files on headless servers through a clean web interface
5Educational environments where students need access to file systems without command-line complexity
6Backup and file organization tasks on systems where installing desktop file managers isn't practical
7Cloud server management where browser-based tools are more convenient than desktop applications

Prerequisites

Docker and Docker Compose installed on the host system
At least 128MB RAM available for the Node.js application and file operations
Port 8000 available and not blocked by firewall rules
Read/write permissions on the host directory you want to manage through cloudcmd
Modern web browser with JavaScript enabled for full functionality
Basic understanding of file permissions if managing system directories

For development & testing. Review security settings, change default credentials, and test thoroughly before production use. See Terms

docker-compose.yml

1services: 
2  cloudcmd: 
3    image: coderaiser/cloudcmd:latest
4    container_name: cloudcmd
5    restart: unless-stopped
6    environment: 
7      CLOUDCMD_ROOT: /files
8    volumes: 
9      - /path/to/files:/files
10    ports: 
11      - "8000:8000"

.env Template

.env

1# Mount your files directory

Usage Notes

1Docs: https://cloudcmd.io/
2Access at http://localhost:8000
3Dual-panel file manager like Midnight Commander
4Built-in terminal, text editor, archive support
5Keyboard shortcuts: F3 view, F4 edit, F5 copy, F6 move, F7 mkdir, F8 delete
6Plugin system for extra features

Quick Start

terminal

1# 1. Create the compose file
2cat > docker-compose.yml << 'EOF'
3services:
4  cloudcmd:
5    image: coderaiser/cloudcmd:latest
6    container_name: cloudcmd
7    restart: unless-stopped
8    environment:
9      CLOUDCMD_ROOT: /files
10    volumes:
11      - /path/to/files:/files
12    ports:
13      - "8000:8000"
14EOF
15
16# 2. Create the .env file
17cat > .env << 'EOF'
18# Mount your files directory
19EOF
20
21# 3. Start the services
22docker compose up -d
23
24# 4. View logs
25docker compose logs -f

One-Liner

Run this command to download and set up the recipe in one step:

terminal

1curl -fsSL https://docker.recipes/api/recipes/cloudcmd/run | bash

Troubleshooting

Permission denied errors when accessing files: Ensure the container has proper permissions on mounted volumes and consider using user mapping with Docker
Cannot connect to port 8000: Verify the port is not in use by another service and check firewall settings on both host and network level
Files not appearing in cloudcmd interface: Check that the CLOUDCMD_ROOT environment variable matches your volume mount point
Terminal not working within cloudcmd: Ensure the container has sufficient privileges and that the host system supports TTY allocation
Slow performance with large directories: Increase container memory limits and consider excluding large binary directories from the mounted path
Plugin installation fails: Verify internet connectivity from within the container and check that npm registry access is available

Community Notes

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Includes docker-compose.yml, .env template, README, and license

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cloudcmd

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