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Nautilus Terminal: An Embedded Terminal for Nautilus File Browser in GNOME

In the world of Linux desktop environments, the GNOME desktop is known for its simplicity, elegance, and user - friendly interface. The Nautilus file browser is an integral part of the GNOME desktop, allowing users to manage files and folders with ease. However, there are times when users need to perform command - line operations in the context of the current directory they are viewing in Nautilus. This is where Nautilus Terminal comes in. Nautilus Terminal is an embedded terminal for the Nautilus file browser, enabling users to access a terminal directly from within the file browser window. In this blog post, we will explore the features, installation process, and usage of Nautilus Terminal.

2026-06

Table of Contents#

  1. What is Nautilus Terminal?
  2. Features of Nautilus Terminal
  3. Installation of Nautilus Terminal
    • Installation on Ubuntu and its derivatives
    • Installation on Fedora
  4. Using Nautilus Terminal
    • Basic Usage
    • Customization
  5. Troubleshooting
  6. Conclusion
  7. References

1. What is Nautilus Terminal?#

Nautilus Terminal is an extension for the Nautilus file browser in the GNOME desktop environment. It provides an integrated terminal within the Nautilus window, eliminating the need for users to open a separate terminal application and navigate to the current directory manually. With Nautilus Terminal, users can perform various command - line tasks, such as file system operations, running scripts, and using text editors directly from the context of the open directory in Nautilus.

2. Features of Nautilus Terminal#

Seamless Integration#

One of the key features of Nautilus Terminal is its seamless integration with the Nautilus file browser. The terminal is embedded within the Nautilus window, providing a unified and coherent user experience. When you open a directory in Nautilus, you can instantly access a terminal for that directory without any additional steps.

Directory Synchronization#

Nautilus Terminal automatically synchronizes the working directory with the current directory open in Nautilus. This means that whenever you navigate to a different directory in Nautilus, the terminal's working directory is updated accordingly. You can also use the terminal to change the directory, and Nautilus will reflect the new location.

Customizable Appearance#

The terminal's appearance can be customized to suit your preferences. You can change the font, color scheme, and other visual aspects of the terminal to match the overall look and feel of your GNOME desktop.

3. Installation of Nautilus Terminal#

Installation on Ubuntu and its derivatives#

  1. First, update your system's package list:
sudo apt update
  1. Then, install Nautilus Terminal from a third-party PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:flozz/nautilus-terminal
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nautilus-terminal
  1. After the installation is complete, restart Nautilus. You can do this by closing all Nautilus windows and running the following command:
nautilus -q
  1. Open Nautilus again, and you should see the terminal option available.

Installation on Fedora#

  1. Update your system:
sudo dnf update
  1. Install the Nautilus Terminal package:
sudo dnf install nautilus-terminal
  1. Restart Nautilus:
nautilus -q
  1. Re - open Nautilus to access the terminal.

4. Using Nautilus Terminal#

Basic Usage#

  • Opening the Terminal: Once you have installed and restarted Nautilus, you can open the terminal by clicking on the “Terminal” option in the Nautilus menu bar. The terminal will appear at the bottom of the Nautilus window.
  • Running Commands: You can start running commands in the terminal just like you would in a regular terminal application. For example, you can list the contents of the current directory using the ls command, create a new directory using the mkdir command, or edit a file using a text editor like nano or vim.
  • Navigating Directories: You can use the cd command to navigate to different directories. When you change directories in Nautilus, the terminal will update its working directory accordingly.

Customization#

  • Appearance: To customize the appearance of the terminal, you can right - click on the terminal area and select “Preferences”. Here, you can change the font, color scheme, and other visual settings.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: You can also set up keyboard shortcuts for opening and closing the terminal. Go to the GNOME Settings, then “Keyboard Shortcuts”. Scroll down to find the “Nautilus Terminal” option and assign a custom shortcut.

5. Troubleshooting#

  • Terminal not appearing: If the terminal does not appear after installation, make sure you have restarted Nautilus correctly. You can also try logging out and logging back in to your GNOME session.
  • Synchronization issues: If the terminal's working directory is not synchronizing with Nautilus, try restarting Nautilus and the terminal. If the problem persists, try reinstalling the Nautilus Terminal package.

6. Conclusion#

Nautilus Terminal is a powerful and useful extension for the Nautilus file browser in GNOME. It provides a convenient way to access a terminal directly from within the file browser, making it easier to perform command - line operations in the context of the current directory. With its seamless integration, directory synchronization, and customizable appearance, Nautilus Terminal enhances the overall user experience of the GNOME desktop. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Linux user, Nautilus Terminal is a great addition to your toolset.

7. References#