[← README](../README.md) · [Docs index](README.md) # Questions, collected The questions people ask most, with a short answer and a link to the full one. Every feature page has its own *Questions* section with more. ## Contents - [Panels and keys](#panels-and-keys) - [Tags, notes, favourites and the sidebar](#tags-notes-favourites-and-the-sidebar) - [Commands, the user menu and scripts](#commands-the-user-menu-and-scripts) - [Search](#search) - [The preview pane](#the-preview-pane) - [Files](#files) - [Customising](#customising) - [Reference](#reference) - [Systems](#systems) - [Coming from 1.x](#coming-from-1x) ## Panels and keys - **How do I zip a folder?** Cursor on it, Shift+F10, *Pack into an archive* (or Alt+F5 at once); the name ends in `.zip`, Enter. [Answer](panels/action-menu.md#how-do-i-zip-a-folder) - **How do I rename a file?** Cursor on it, Shift+F6 (or Shift+F10, *Rename*), type the new name, Enter. [Answer](panels/action-menu.md#how-do-i-rename-a-file) - **Can right-click open a menu instead of marking?** Yes: Settings → Behaviour → Right-click → *Opens the action menu*; Ctrl+right-click and the ⋯ on a row open it anyway. [Answer](panels/action-menu.md#can-right-click-open-the-menu-instead-of-marking) - **What can I do with the file under the cursor?** Shift+F10 (or Menu, or the row's ⋯): the actions that fit, each with its key; F9 lists every action, F1 every key. [Answer](panels/README.md#finding-what-coxswain-can-do) - **How do I swap the panels, or show this folder in the other one?** On `..`, Shift+F10 → *Panels*: Swap panels (Ctrl+U), Other panel here (Alt+O). [Answer](panels/action-menu.md#how-do-i-get-the-same-folder-in-both-panels-or-swap-them) - **How do I find out what a feature does, in the app?** F1, then *Features and questions* (the tab, or Tab in the terminal app), and type a word; F1 in a dialog opens it at that dialog's feature. [Answer](panels/features.md#how-do-i-find-out-what-a-feature-does-without-reading-the-docs) - **Does Show me in Features send anything?** It opens the feature's page on GitHub in your browser, only when pressed; nothing else there reaches the network. [Answer](panels/features.md#does-show-me-send-anything) - **Why did a hint on the status line disappear for good?** Each shows three times; `coxswain --hints reset` or Settings → Behaviour → *Show the hints again* brings them back. [Answer](panels/action-menu.md#why-did-a-hint-disappear-for-good) - **How do I see the first-run guide again?** Settings → Overview → *Show the guide again*, in both apps; or from Help: F1 → *Show the guide again* (desktop app), F1 then G (terminal app). [Answer](panels/first-run.md#i-skipped-the-guide-can-i-get-it-back) - **Why does the desktop F-key bar say Move, New folder and Commands?** 2.0 uses plain names in both apps; only the terminal app's bar keeps NC's *RenMov*, *Mkdir* and *PullDn*. [Answer](panels/the-screen.md#why-does-the-f-key-bar-say-move-in-one-app-and-renmov-in-the-other) - **What does the number on the Settings button count?** Tips not dismissed and versions whose changes you have not read; a click opens Settings → Overview → What's new. [Answer](panels/notices.md#what-does-the-number-on-the-settings-button-count) - **How do I see what a new version brought?** Click the count on Settings in the desktop app, or open Settings → Overview → *What's new* in either app (**F12** in the terminal app); from a shell, `coxswain --whats-new`. [Answer](panels/notices.md#how-do-i-see-what-an-upgrade-brought) - **My panels disappeared and the screen shows old output.** **Ctrl+O** hid them in the terminal app: the line under it says *Panels hidden · any key brings them back*, and any key does. [Answer](panels/tabs-and-panes.md#why-does-ctrlo-in-the-terminal-app-show-an-empty-screen) - **How do I change the theme?** Settings → Looks (**Ctrl+,** in the desktop app, **F12** in the terminal app), or **F9** and type *theme*; each app has its own. [Answer](customise/themes.md#how-to-use-it) - **Why are the themes in groups?** Thirty-three in one block are hard to scan: they are grouped by where they come from; the name in `config.toml` stays the same. [Answer](customise/themes.md#why-are-the-themes-in-groups) - **How do I get thumbnails, or Miller columns?** **Alt+V** in the desktop app steps through details, columns and thumbnails; the terminal app has details only. [Answer](panels/views.md) - **Why does right-click mark instead of opening a menu?** That is Norton Commander's way; **Shift+F10**, the **⋯** on a row or **Ctrl+right-click** open the menu, and Settings → Behaviour → *Right-click* can make it the menu. [Answer](panels/mouse.md#why-does-right-click-mark-instead-of-opening-a-menu) - **Why do Left and Right page instead of moving into folders?** That is Norton Commander's way; rebind `parent` and `open` in `[keys]`, and the desktop app's columns view already walks the tree. [Answer](panels/moving.md#why-do-left-and-right-page-instead-of-moving-into-folders) - **Why does Alt+T not jump to names with a "t"?** Alt+T is bound to Colour tag, and a bound key does its action; unbind it with `tag = []` or start with another letter. [Answer](panels/quick-search.md#why-does-altt-not-jump-to-names-with-a-t) - **Why did `+` not mark any folders?** Groups mark files only, as in NC; mark folders with Insert. [Answer](panels/marking.md#why-did--not-mark-any-folders) - **What takes up the space on this disk?** Alt+U on a folder or a drive (or Shift+F10 → *Space view*) shows every file as a rectangle by its size, coloured by its kind, with the bytes by type and the largest files. [Answer](panels/space.md#how-to-use-it) - **Why are some rectangles in Space grey?** Files too small to show one by one, one block per folder; zoom in with a right-click, + or Enter on it. [Answer](panels/space.md#why-are-some-rectangles-grey) - **Does Space download my cloud files?** No: it reads only the folders' listings, and a file only in the cloud counts 0 bytes. [Answer](panels/space.md#does-space-download-files-that-are-only-in-the-cloud) - **Why is a folder's size not shown?** It is still being measured, you left the folder, measuring is off, or it is /proc, /sys, /dev or /run. [Answer](panels/folder-sizes.md#why-is-a-folders-size-not-shown) - **I committed in a terminal and the git line did not change.** Both apps watch `.git` and follow a commit within a moment; where the file system sends no change events, press Ctrl+R. [Answer](panels/git.md#i-committed-in-a-terminal-and-the-git-line-did-not-change) - **How far behind is my branch, and is that up to date?** Hover the git line (desktop app) or put the cursor on `..` (terminal app): upstream, ahead and behind as of the last fetch, and the remote. Coxswain never fetches. [Answer](panels/git.md#how-far-behind-is-my-branch-and-is-that-up-to-date) - **How do I see who changed a file, and when?** The Last commit column (desktop app) or the line under the panel (terminal app); Ctrl+G lists every commit. [Answer](panels/git-history.md#how-do-i-see-who-changed-a-file-and-when) - **How do I get back an old version of a file?** Ctrl+G on it, Enter on the commit, F5 on the file. [Answer](panels/git-history.md#how-do-i-get-back-an-old-version-of-a-file) - **Why does a file say "older" in Last commit?** It has not changed in the newest 5000 commits of its folder, where the walk stops; Ctrl+G shows when. [Answer](panels/git.md#why-does-a-file-say-older-in-last-commit) - **How do I commit, push or pull?** Alt+G opens the repository in your own git tool (lazygit, gitui, tig or a desktop client), or a terminal there when none is installed. [Answer](panels/git.md#open-in-your-git-tool) - **Where does a git setting come from?** Alt+C shows the git config as git uses it here: each value with its scope and file, values set earlier dimmed, passwords hidden. [Answer](panels/git-config.md#where-does-this-value-come-from) - **How do I switch to another branch?** Alt+B lists the branches; Alt+S on one, then Enter. [Answer](panels/git-branches.md#how-do-i-switch-to-another-branch) - **Why does the line show git in my Jujutsu repository?** jj is not installed, or Settings → Behaviour → Use git where Jujutsu is too is on. [Answer](panels/jujutsu.md#why-does-the-line-show-git-not-jj) - **Can I switch Jujutsu bookmarks here?** No: Coxswain only reads a Jujutsu repository; use `jj new` or `jj edit`. [Answer](panels/jujutsu.md#can-i-switch-bookmarks-here) - **Does Coxswain show Mercurial repositories?** Yes, through hg: the line, the history, bookmarks and branches, and switching with `hg update --check`. [Answer](panels/mercurial.md) - **Does Coxswain show Subversion or CVS working copies?** Their status, read from their own records without asking the server; Ctrl+G reads the history from the server once you say yes to it; Alt+G opens a terminal there for update and commit. [Subversion](panels/subversion.md#how-do-i-see-the-history-of-a-subversion-working-copy) · [CVS](panels/cvs.md#how-do-i-see-the-history-of-a-cvs-working-copy) - **Why did the switch say my changes would be overwritten?** A file you changed differs between the branches; git refuses, and so does Coxswain. Commit or stash first. [Answer](panels/git-branches.md#why-did-the-switch-say-my-changes-would-be-overwritten) - **What does "merging" on the git line mean?** git is in the middle of a merge (or rebase, cherry-pick, revert, bisect); finish or abort it. [Answer](panels/git.md#what-does-merging-or-rebasing-on-the-git-line-mean) - **Does a file's history go past a rename?** Yes, on its branch: it follows the file under its earlier names (all branches, **Alt+A**, do not). [Answer](panels/git-history.md#does-a-files-history-go-past-a-rename) - **Why is there a new tab in the left pane every time I start the desktop app?** The folder it started in is not open in any left-pane tab, so it is added; keep a tab on it (home, for menu starts). [Answer](panels/the-screen.md#why-is-there-a-new-tab-in-the-left-pane-every-time-i-start-the-desktop-app) - **Where did "search: names · text" in the title go?** To Find's footer: *563 files indexed · text of 112 files · meaning for 112*. [Answer](panels/the-screen.md#where-did-search-names--text-in-the-title-go) - **I bound a key and now Coxswain says config.toml has a mistake. Why?** An unreadable key name or a key bound twice: only that line is left out, and the notice opens `config.toml` there. [Answer](panels/keys.md#i-bound-a-key-and-now-coxswain-says-configtoml-has-a-mistake-why) ## Tags, notes, favourites and the sidebar - **I renamed a file and its colour tag is gone.** Tags and notes belong to a path, so a rename or move leaves them at the old path; tag it again. [Answer](organise/tags.md#i-renamed-a-file-and-its-tag-is-gone) - **Does the terminal app have tags, notes, favourites or the sidebar?** No; Alt+T, Alt+N and Ctrl+B there say the feature is in the desktop app. [Answer](organise/tags.md#in-the-terminal-app) - **Is my folder note saved while I type?** It is saved when you leave the field (Esc or a click elsewhere), so press Esc before closing. [Answer](organise/notes.md#is-my-note-saved-while-i-type) - **I clicked + on a favourites group and nothing was added.** The + adds the folder you are in, not the one under the cursor, and never twice. [Answer](organise/favourites.md#i-clicked--and-nothing-was-added) - **How do I rename or delete a favourites group?** Click the ⋯ at the right of its header in the sidebar (or right-click the header): *Rename group*, *Delete group*. [Answer](organise/favourites.md#how-do-i-rename-or-delete-a-group) - **Deleting a favourites group asks nothing. Can I undo it?** No; the folders are untouched, add them to a new group. [Answer](organise/favourites.md#deleting-a-group-asks-nothing-can-i-undo-it) - **I plugged in a USB stick and it is not in the sidebar.** Drives are read again every 30 seconds and when the window comes back to the front; mounts under /run (except /run/media) are left out, go there with Ctrl+L. [Answer](organise/sidebar.md#i-plugged-in-a-usb-stick-and-it-is-not-in-the-sidebar) - **Where are my OneDrive, Google Drive or Nextcloud accounts?** Under *Clouds* in the desktop app's sidebar and under Alt+F1 in the terminal app, one entry each, found from the sync apps and mounts on the machine; Coxswain never logs in. [Answer](organise/clouds.md#why-is-my-cloud-not-listed) - **Why is my Desktop not under Places?** Only folders your system names (user-dirs.dirs on Linux) and that exist are listed, each once. [Answer](organise/sidebar.md#why-is-my-desktop-or-music-or-videos-not-under-places) ## Commands, the user menu and scripts - **Can I run vim, less or ssh from the command line?** In the terminal app yes; in the desktop app no, commands get no input and their output is collected. [Answer](commands/command-line.md#can-i-run-vim-less-ssh-or-sudo-from-the-command-line) - **The output flashed by in the terminal app. Where is it?** Ctrl+O shows the terminal with the last output; wait = true in the user menu holds it. [Answer](commands/command-line.md#the-output-flashed-by-in-the-terminal-app-where-is-it) - **Why does cd - not work?** cd takes a folder; use Alt+Left (Back) in the desktop app. [Answer](commands/command-line.md#why-does-cd---not-work) - **Where did the git entries of F2 go?** Git is built in: Ctrl+G for a file's history and diffs, Alt+B for branches, the git line for status; git status stays in F2 inside a repository. [Answer](commands/user-menu.md#where-did-the-git-entries-go) - **My user-menu entries replaced the built-in ones. How do I keep both?** Your [[user_menu]] replaces the whole list; F2, + writes them into config.toml commented out. [Answer](commands/user-menu.md#my-entries-replaced-the-built-in-ones-how-do-i-keep-both) - **Why is Open a terminal here not in F2?** No terminal was found, or there is no desktop (console, ssh), or it is Termux; set $TERMINAL. [Answer](commands/user-menu.md#why-is-open-a-terminal-here-not-in-my-menu) - **Why does %f give only the name?** The command runs in the panel's folder; use %d/%f or %s for full paths. [Answer](commands/user-menu.md#why-does-f-give-only-the-name) - **My script is in the F2 menu but nothing happens.** The error is in the output (desktop app: the status line or the preview pane); usually the program on its #! line is not installed. [Answer](commands/scripts.md#my-script-is-in-the-menu-but-nothing-happens) - **F4 in the desktop app does nothing, though editor = "hx" works in the terminal.** The desktop app has no terminal for a terminal editor; set a windowed editor or use $EDITOR for the terminal app. [Answer](commands/view-and-edit.md#f4-in-the-desktop-app-does-nothing-though-editor--hx-works-in-the-terminal-app) - **Enter on a file does nothing, and there is no error.** The opener started but found no application for the type; set a default in your system settings. [Answer](commands/opening-files.md#enter-on-a-file-does-nothing-and-there-is-no-error) - **Why does F4 not open the built-in editor?** F4 starts your own editor (`editor`, `$VISUAL`, `$EDITOR`); **Shift+F4** always opens the built-in one, and the terminal app's F4 does when none is set. [Answer](commands/editor.md#why-does-f4-not-open-the-built-in-editor) - **What if a file changed on the disk while I edited it in Coxswain?** Saving asks first: save over it, read it again, or go back. [Answer](commands/editor.md#what-if-the-file-changed-on-the-disk-while-i-was-editing-it) - **How do I get `less` back on F3 in the terminal app?** Set `viewer = "less"` in `config.toml` (Settings → Behaviour → Viewer), or press **p** in the built-in viewer for one file. [Answer](commands/view-and-edit.md#how-do-i-get-less-or-my-own-pager-back-on-f3) ## Search - **Why doesn't a file I just saved show up in text search?** It is read within seconds, unless it is outside the folders read, too large, the laptop is on battery, or the helper still has a backlog. [Answer](search/text.md#why-doesnt-a-file-i-just-saved-show-up-in-text-search) - **How do I search only this folder?** Press Ctrl+F (or Alt+F7) again inside Find, or click *In * beside the field (desktop app): the lit button (`[ everywhere | in rocket ]` in the terminal app) moves, for names, words, meaning and Ask. [Answer](search/find-file.md#how-do-i-search-only-this-folder) - **How do I search names only?** Tab once in Find, to the *Names* kind; a query with name syntax (`*.pdf`, `ext:md`) shows names only by itself. [Answer](search/find-file.md#how-do-i-search-names-only) - **The setup guide's download button seemed to do nothing.** Before 2.1.1 the page hid the built-in model's progress and errors; now it shows the percentage, then *Search by meaning is on*, or the error in red. [Answer](search/setup.md#i-pressed-the-download-button-and-nothing-seemed-to-happen-why) - **Why did my file show under About this?** It is close in meaning but lacks your words: another language, other words, a scan. [Answer](search/find-file.md#why-did-my-file-show-under-about-this) - **Why does the order of the groups change in Find?** It follows what you typed: a word or two puts Names first, three words or a question puts In files and About this first. [Answer](search/find-file.md#why-does-the-order-of-the-groups-change) - **Why is search by meaning off?** It needs a 465 MB model and CPU time, so you choose: Settings → Finding files → the level *Names, text and meaning*, or `coxswain --meaning on`. [Answer](search/meaning.md#why-is-search-by-meaning-off) - **How fast is search by meaning here?** *Measure speed* on the *Meaning* line of Settings → Finding files, or `coxswain --meaning bench`, times your model on 64 passages and says how long the files left take. [Answer](search/meaning.md#how-fast-is-it-here-and-would-another-model-be-faster) - **Why does search by meaning miss something deep inside a long log?** A long file gets 256 passages spread over it (*Sample*). Choose *Everything* for its folder: the action menu (Shift+F10) on the folder → *Long files: sample or everything…*; it says first what it costs. [Answer](search/long-files.md#why-does-search-by-meaning-miss-something-deep-inside-a-long-log) - **Why does search by meaning say a file is changing?** It changed in the last five minutes: it is found by its words at once and gets its vectors once unchanged for five minutes. One that stays changing is a file an app keeps saving, like `~/.claude.json`. [Answer](search/meaning.md#why-does-it-say-a-file-is-changing) - **Why is search by meaning re-reading everything?** Once after the update to 1.39.0: whole documents get vectors now, not only their first 960 words, so the helper makes them anew in the background; the text is not read again. [Answer](search/meaning.md#why-is-search-by-meaning-re-reading-everything) - **How do I search inside files, or ask?** Just type in Find (Ctrl+F): words in files are a group of their own, and Ctrl+Enter (terminal: Alt+Enter) asks. Shift+F7 opens Find at *In files* alone, Ctrl+F7 at *Ask*. [Answer](search/find-file.md#keys) - **Does Ask understand code?** It reads code cut at its functions and classes, with its lines and named after its item, in any language, and a map of the project (files, public items, dependencies) for questions about its architecture or libraries. [Answer](search/ask-code.md#does-ask-understand-code-now) - **Should I take qwen3-coder for code questions?** Where Settings → Ask → *Model for code questions* marks it recommended: the graphics card holds it. On an 8 GB card `qwen3-coder:30b` is marked *slow here* and *Same as Ask* stays. [Answer](search/ask-code.md#should-i-take-qwen3-coder-for-code-questions) - **Why is there no Ask row for one word?** One word is almost always a name; type a second word, end with `?`, or press Ctrl+Enter. [Answer](search/find-file.md#why-is-there-no-ask-row-for-one-word) - **How do I set up search by meaning and Ask?** The guided setup: **Set up…** in Settings → Overview or Finding files (terminal: `coxswain --setup-search`). It finds your model servers and says what suits your machine. [Answer](search/setup.md) - **It says the model runs on the processor. What do I do?** Install your server's GPU build (Arch: `ollama-cuda` or `ollama-rocm`), or choose a Hybrid/NPU model in Lemonade. [Answer](search/setup.md#it-says-the-model-runs-on-the-processor-what-do-i-do) - **Can Coxswain search OneNote, XPS, CHM or Outlook .pst files?** Yes, with *Read other formats with Apache Tika (container)* ticked in Settings → Finding files and podman or docker installed; not on the BSDs or illumos. [Answer](search/tika.md#which-files-does-it-read) - **Can Find search what is said in my recordings?** Yes: turn on *Transcribe speech with Whisper* in Settings → Finding files, then *Transcribe speech* in the action menu (Shift+F10) on a recording or a folder; it says the hours and the time here first, and runs in the background. [Answer](search/transcripts.md#does-it-transcribe-all-my-music) - **Can I ask my files a question?** Yes: type it in Find and press Ctrl+Enter (terminal: Alt+Enter), with search by meaning on and a chat model: the built-in one or one on your server. [Answer](search/ask.md) - **How much of my files does Ask read?** As much as the chat model's context holds: about 2,500–3,000 words with a server's model (more with a larger `ask_context`), each hit with the passages around it; for *what is this project about?* also the README, project files and folder tree. The line over the sources says how much. [Answer](search/ask.md#how-much-of-my-files-does-ask-read) - **Can a file trick Ask?** It can mislead the model, nothing more: Ask has no tools, each source is fenced off and called text, never an instruction, invisible characters and escape sequences are left out, a **[n]** only leads to a listed source, and an answer stops after its room. Check a surprising answer against its sources. [Answer](search/ask.md#can-a-file-trick-ask) - **Does Coxswain read hidden text?** No: hidden runs in Word and OpenDocument files, and text a PDF draws invisibly, white on white or under 2 points, are not found and never reach Ask. The invisible words over a scan are kept. [Answer](search/documents.md#does-coxswain-read-hidden-text) - **Why does Ask take long before the first word?** Mostly the model loading; a model that thinks first (Qwen3) is asked not to, so with the model loaded the first word comes in under a second. [Answer](search/ask.md#thinking) - **The first answer takes long. Why?** The server loads the model on the first question; *Waiting for … to answer* shows until the first word. [Answer](search/ask.md#the-first-answer-takes-long-why) - **Can Ask work without Ollama or any server?** Yes: the built-in chat model (Qwen3), downloaded once, on a Mac's GPU or slowly on the processor. Step 4 of the guide, or `coxswain --meaning ask builtin:qwen3-1.7b`. [Answer](search/ask-builtin.md) - **Why is the built-in chat model not recommended on my PC?** It runs on the processor there, and a short probe found it would take more than 10 s to its first word; the line under it in step 4 says how long. You can still choose it. [Answer](search/ask-builtin.md#why-is-the-built-in-model-not-recommended-on-my-pc) - **Settings says my built-in model "runs on the processor here" in red.** A server here (Ollama, Lemonade …) runs a model on your graphics card, or the model is too large for the processor; **Use qwen3:8b** next to the line takes the quicker one. [Answer](search/ask-builtin.md#settings-says-my-model-runs-on-the-processor-here-in-red-why) - **My Mac shows a grey line about a model on Ollama or LM Studio.** A tip: the server runs on Metal too and has a larger chat model (`qwen3:30b-a3b`) or a stronger embedding model (`bge-m3`) than the built-in one; **Use …** takes it, or read past it. [Answer](search/ask-builtin.md#on-my-mac-settings-shows-a-grey-line-about-ollama-or-lm-studio-what-is-it) - **Why does it say Ollama would be faster?** Your PC has a graphics card the built-in models cannot use (they use only a Mac's GPU) and no model server answers; Ollama would run them on the card. The setup guide's step 2 and a notice, once, give the command for your system (FreeBSD: `pkg install ollama`); nothing is installed for you. [Answer](search/setup.md#why-does-it-say-ollama-would-be-faster) - **Why does Coxswain pick Ollama's model over the built-in one?** On your graphics card it answers in seconds, the built-in one on the processor in a minute or more; on a Mac the built-in ones use the GPU and stay a good choice. [Answer](search/ask-builtin.md#why-does-coxswain-choose-ollama-over-the-built-in-model) - **I cannot switch Ask from the built-in model to Ollama.** Since 2.15.0 *Chat model* is one list with the server's models and the built-in ones; before, the field only offered names like the one in it. [Answer](search/ask.md#how-do-i-switch-ask-to-another-model) - **Where are the built-in models kept?** In the cache folder's `models` folder; Settings → Finding files → Details → Built-in models lists each with its folder, and `coxswain --models` prints them. [Answer](search/models.md#where-are-the-built-in-models-kept) - **How do I free the disk space the models take?** **Delete** or **Delete all not in use** under Built-in models, or `coxswain --models delete unused`. [Answer](search/models.md#how-do-i-free-the-disk-space) - **Which built-in chat model should I take?** The largest the Mac has the memory for: Qwen3 14B with 32 GB or more, Qwen3 4B Instruct with 16 GB, Qwen3 1.7B otherwise. Settings lists only those that fit, with the memory each needs. [Answer](search/ask-builtin.md#which-one-should-i-take) - **Ask says my model only reads meaning and cannot answer.** The chat model is an embedding model such as `bge-m3`; choose a chat model such as `qwen3:8b`. [Answer](search/ask.md#it-says-my-model-only-reads-meaning-and-cannot-answer-why) - **What does Ask send, and where?** The question and the passages found go to the chat model you chose: in the helper for a built-in one, to your server otherwise; nothing else. [Answer](search/ask.md#what-is-sent-and-where) - **Does the built-in model use my Mac's GPU?** On Apple Silicon, yes: through Metal, several times faster; Intel Macs stay on the CPU. Settings → Finding files → Details → Meaning and `coxswain --meaning` say which; *Use the CPU only* or `coxswain --meaning cpu` keeps it off the GPU. [Answer](search/meaning.md#does-the-built-in-model-use-my-macs-gpu) - **Can Ollama or Lemonade make the vectors instead?** Yes: pick it under Settings → Finding files → Details → Meaning → *Made by*, or `coxswain --meaning ollama` / `--meaning server URL MODEL`. [Answer](search/servers.md#which-model-should-i-pick-on-a-server) - **Will Coxswain download my OneDrive?** No: files only in OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, Proton Drive or iCloud are found by name and left in the cloud until you open one. [Answer](search/cloud-files.md#will-coxswain-download-my-onedrive) - **How do I search inside my Dropbox files?** Make the folder available offline in Dropbox, or read it anyway in Settings. [Answer](search/cloud-files.md#how-do-i-search-inside-my-dropbox-files) - **How do I keep a folder's text out of the index?** Add it to Names only in Settings, or put an empty `.nosearch` file in it. [Answer](search/folders.md#how-do-i-make-a-folder-names-only) - **How do I leave out files like `*.log`?** Add the pattern under Settings → Finding files → Details → Folders → Left out everywhere, or to `text_exclude`. [Answer](search/folders.md#how-do-i-leave-out-files-like-log-or-one-file) - **Where is search.db, and can I look inside?** In the cache folder; Settings → Finding files → Details → Background reading → Show in panel opens it, and the preview or F3 shows its tables. It never indexes itself. [Answer](search/folders.md#where-is-searchdb-and-can-i-look-inside) - **Is Coxswain running in the background after I close it?** The search helper stays ten minutes, or for good if started with your session. [Answer](search/helper.md#is-coxswain-running-in-the-background-after-i-close-it) - **Start with my session is on, but background reading does not start.** The system did not start the helper; from 2.1.2 the app starts it and says where to allow it (on a Mac: *Login Items & Extensions → Allow in the Background*). [Answer](search/helper.md#start-with-my-session-is-on-but-background-reading-does-not-start-why) - **After an update, background search stopped while an old window was open.** Before 2.7.3 the new helper left for the old window, again and again; now it stays, and an old window that cannot use it says *restart it to use background search*. [Answer](search/helper.md#after-an-update-background-search-stopped-while-an-old-window-was-open-why) - **Search inside files and meaning stopped after an upgrade.** The helper registered with your session pointed at the removed program; from 1.29.0 the first app you open registers itself instead. [Answer](search/helper.md#search-inside-files-and-meaning-stopped-after-an-upgrade-why) - **A notice says to install tesseract: how?** The notice ends with the command for your system (`sudo apt install tesseract-ocr`, `brew install tesseract`, `pkg install tesseract` …); click **Copy** (desktop app), or press Space on the row in Settings → Finding files (terminal app), and run it in a shell. Coxswain never runs it. [Answer](search/scans.md#a-notice-says-to-install-tesseract-how) - **I installed tesseract and nothing happened.** The helper looks for programs when it starts; let it start again. [Answer](search/scans.md#i-installed-tesseract-and-nothing-happened) - **Does Find look inside my zip files?** Yes, in the archives of the folders read (your home folder by default, not hidden folders or caches): by name and by their text, and it follows their changes. [Answer](search/archives.md#does-find-look-inside-my-zip-files) - **Why are the archives in ~/.m2 or ~/.cache not looked into?** They are programs' archives; tick *Archives everywhere* to find their entries by name. [Answer](search/archives.md#why-are-the-jars-in-m2-or-the-archives-in-cache-not-looked-into) - **Why is a file in my .tar.xz not found?** A compressed tar over 256 MB is found by its own name only; there are limits per archive too. [Answer](search/archives.md#why-is-a-file-in-my-tarxz-not-found) - **Can Find search commit messages?** Yes: commits of the repositories in the folders read are found under *History* in Find, and Enter opens the commit. [Answer](search/history.md) - **Why does Find miss my latest commit?** Repositories are read at the helper's scans, at most ten minutes apart. [Answer](search/history.md#why-does-find-miss-my-latest-commit) - **Why does a search for "browser entra" find my diagram?** Every arrow becomes a sentence such as "Browser to Entra ID: sign in.". [Answer](search/diagrams.md#why-does-a-search-for-browser-entra-find-my-diagram-when-no-box-says-both) ## The preview pane - **How do I close the preview with the mouse?** Click the × at the right of the preview's header (*Close the preview (Esc)*); Esc, Space and F3 close it too. [Answer](previews/README.md#opening-and-closing-it) - **Space types a space instead of opening the preview.** The command line has text, so Space belongs to it; press Esc to clear it, or use F3. [Answer](previews/text-and-code.md#space-types-a-space-in-the-command-line-instead-of-opening-the-preview) - **How do I follow a log as it is written?** F3 on it, then F in the terminal app's viewer or Follow in the desktop app's preview; Shift+F10 → *Follow log* opens it following, and E stops at the next error. [Answer](previews/logs.md#how-do-i-follow-a-log-as-it-is-written) - **How do I see only the errors, or one user's lines, in a log?** e (or the level list) keeps warnings and errors, then errors only; & (or the filter box) takes a text or `user=ada`. [Answer](previews/logs.md#how-do-i-see-only-the-lines-of-one-user-or-one-status) - **Which languages are highlighted?** About 200 in both apps, old ones too (COBOL, Fortran, Pascal, BASIC, assembly, VHDL, Verilog); the terminal app shows COBOL, PowerShell and Visual Basic plain. [Answer](previews/text-and-code.md#which-languages-are-highlighted) - **Why does an HTML page look broken or empty in the preview?** No script runs and nothing comes from the web, on purpose; Enter opens it in your browser. [Answer](previews/html.md#why-does-the-page-look-broken-or-empty) - **Do I need LibreOffice to see a PowerPoint deck?** No, the slides are drawn in the app at once; LibreOffice only adds the exact view. [Answer](previews/office.md#do-i-need-libreoffice-to-see-a-powerpoint-deck) - **Why is a Word `.doc` file not shown?** `.doc` needs LibreOffice (installed or as an image); `.docx` needs nothing. [Answer](previews/office.md#why-is-a-word-doc-file-not-shown) - **Why does LaTeX build with XeLaTeX here?** A `% !TEX program` line, a XeTeX package such as fontspec, or pdfLaTeX stopping asked for it. [Answer](previews/latex.md#why-does-latex-build-with-xelatex-here) - **The LaTeX container never starts by itself.** Its image (about 2.8 GB to download) is not pulled yet, and a pull waits for a click on Build PDF or Pull. [Answer](previews/containers.md#the-latex-container-never-starts-by-itself) - **How do I turn an AVI into an MP4, or a FLAC into an MP3?** *Convert video or audio* (Shift+F10 or F9) writes the copy next to it with ffmpeg, installed or in its container; the original is never changed. [Answer](files/convert-media.md#is-my-file-changed) - **How do I make photos smaller or remove their location?** *Convert or edit pictures* (Shift+F10 or F9) writes `photo.resized.jpg` or `photo.no-location.jpg` next to each, with ImageMagick. [Answer](files/edit-pictures.md#is-my-photo-changed) - **How do I check a SHA256SUMS I downloaded?** Put the cursor on it and press Enter: every file it names is checked, and the dialog says which are OK, changed or missing. **Alt+H** makes such a list. [Answer](files/checksums.md#how-do-i-check-a-sha256sums-i-downloaded) - **How do I get a 6 GB file onto a FAT32 USB stick?** **Alt+X** → *FAT32 USB stick* cuts it into parts with a checksum; **Enter** on `name.001` joins them back. [Answer](files/split-and-join.md#which-size-should-i-choose) - **Why does an AVI show a still picture instead of playing?** The web view's player has no codec for it: ffmpeg shows a frame and its facts. [Answer](previews/media.md#why-does-an-avi-show-a-still-picture-instead-of-playing) - **Does the map of my GeoPackage or GPX file fetch anything from the web?** No: it draws the file's own shapes only, with no background map, and GDAL runs without network. [Answer](previews/geodata.md#does-the-map-fetch-anything-from-the-internet) - **How do I get Gerbers or a bill of materials from KiCad without opening it?** *Export from KiCad* (Shift+F10 or F9) writes `board.gerbers.zip` or `schematic.bom.csv` next to it with kicad-cli, installed or in KiCad's container. [Answer](previews/kicad.md#what-goes-into-the-gerber-zip) - **How do I get an STL of my OpenSCAD model?** *Export 3D model* (Shift+F10 or F9) writes `part.stl` or `part.3mf` next to it with OpenSCAD, installed or in its container. [Answer](previews/openscad.md#is-my-model-changed-when-i-export-it) - **How do I turn a shapefile into a GeoPackage, or a GPX track into GeoJSON?** *Convert geodata* (Shift+F10 or F9) writes the copy next to it with GDAL, installed or in its container; the original is never changed. [Answer](previews/geodata.md#is-my-file-changed-when-i-convert-it) - **How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?** **Alt+P** (or *Make PDF searchable* in Shift+F10 or F9) writes `name.searchable.pdf` next to it with its words in it, by OCRmyPDF installed or in its container; the original is never changed. [Answer](files/searchable-pdf.md#is-my-pdf-changed) - **Why does a MOBI or Kindle book show nothing?** E-books are off until you turn on *Settings → Previews → E-books with calibre*; calibre then runs as installed, else in its container (1.3 GB to download, once). Books locked with DRM are always left alone. [Answer](previews/ebooks.md#why-does-a-mobi-or-kindle-book-show-nothing) - **How do I make a PDF of an AsciiDoc document?** *Build PDF of AsciiDoc* in Shift+F10 or F9 (or **Build PDF** in its preview) writes `name.pdf` next to it, by Asciidoctor PDF installed or in its container; nothing comes from the web. [Answer](files/asciidoc-pdf.md#does-it-fetch-anything-from-the-web) - **Why is Export draw.io diagram off?** Its container image is large; turn on *Export draw.io diagrams* in Settings → Previews, and its container (podman or docker) makes them; never an installed draw.io. [Answer](files/drawio-export.md#why-is-it-off) - **Can Coxswain scan for viruses?** Yes, once turned on in Settings → Previews: **Alt+I** scans a file, the marked files or a folder with ClamAV in a container without network, only when asked; you choose for each file found, nothing is deleted by itself. [Answer](files/virus-scan.md#does-coxswain-scan-by-itself-or-send-my-files-anywhere) - **Why does a PostScript file need Ghostscript?** Neither a browser nor, since macOS 14, Preview draws PostScript: Ghostscript makes a PDF of it, with `-dSAFER`. [Answer](previews/documents.md#why-does-a-postscript-file-need-ghostscript) - **Is my D2 diagram sent to kroki.io?** No: the programs of Kroki's image run on your machine, one per file, with no network. [Answer](previews/diagrams.md#is-my-diagram-sent-to-krokiio) - **Can I see old Works, Write or Lotus 1-2-3 files?** Yes, as the PDF LibreOffice makes, installed or in Gotenberg's image. [Answer](previews/office.md#can-i-see-old-works-write-or-lotus-1-2-3-files) - **Does Coxswain update the container images?** Only when you turn on *Settings → Previews → Keep images up to date* (weekly or monthly): the desktop app then pulls the images you already pulled and removes each old copy by its id. [Answer](previews/containers.md#does-coxswain-update-the-images) - **Why does the terminal app not show my TIFF or Amiga picture?** A terminal has only character cells: Alt+Enter and F3 say what it is (format, size, colours, pages); the desktop app's preview draws it. [Answer](previews/old-formats.md#why-does-the-terminal-app-not-show-the-picture) - **How do I read one message of a mailbox?** Enter on the `.mbox` opens it like a folder of `.eml` files, read-only; F5 copies messages out. [Answer](previews/old-formats.md#how-do-i-read-one-message-of-a-mailbox) - **Why does my `.mod` file show as text?** Only a tracker module's content makes it music; Modula-2 and `go.mod` stay text. [Answer](previews/old-formats.md#why-does-my-mod-file-show-as-text) - **Can I preview a file inside an archive?** Yes: the cursor on it, with the preview pane open, or F3 in the terminal app; a copy is made in the cache folder. [Answer](previews/media.md#how-is-a-file-inside-an-archive-previewed) - **Previewing a video made the window go blank or stop. Why?** GStreamer's good plugins are missing; from 1.29.1 the preview says so instead. [Answer](previews/media.md#previewing-a-video-made-the-window-go-blank-or-stop-why) - **Why does a video not play?** The webview lacks the codec; on Linux install the GStreamer plugins. [Answer](previews/media.md#why-does-a-video-not-play) - **How do I get the old F3 back for a BOM in the terminal app?** Press F3 (or `s`) again in the viewer, or set `bom_viewer = false`. [Answer](previews/bom.md#how-do-i-get-the-old-f3-back-in-the-terminal-app) - **Does a ✓ in the provenance view mean the file is safe?** No: it means the file here is the one the provenance names; the provenance itself is not verified. [Answer](previews/provenance.md#does-a--mean-the-file-is-safe) - **Can I play chess against an engine?** Play your own moves from any position, and an installed Stockfish shows its best lines (**a**) and plays its best move (**b**). [Answer](previews/chess.md#can-i-play-against-an-engine) - **Does playing a move change my PGN file?** No: your line stays in the view, and *Save as new PGN* writes a new file next to it. [Answer](previews/chess-play.md#does-playing-a-move-change-my-pgn-file) - **Does it read ChessBase files?** Yes, `.cbh` databases with their annotations and Chess960 games, and `.cbv` archives; SCID 4 and SCID 5 databases (`.si4`, `.si5`) too. [Answer](previews/chess.md#does-it-read-chessbase-files) - **Does Coxswain run a neural network model to show it?** No: it reads the file's structure only, reads no pickle, and Netron's frame has no network. [Answer](previews/neural-networks.md#does-coxswain-run-the-model) - **Why is my PyTorch `.pt` file not drawn?** It is a Python pickle (TorchScript holds code): export the model to ONNX to see it. [Answer](previews/neural-networks.md#why-is-my-pytorch-pt-file-not-shown) - **Why does the opening book line not show?** No Polyglot book was found: name one in *Settings → Previews → Opening book*, or put it next to the PGN file. [Answer](previews/chess.md#why-does-the-book-line-not-show) - **Why does a draughts game stop showing positions halfway?** A move could not be played, often because the file has no `GameType` tag and is read as the other draughts; add `[GameType "21"]` for checkers. [Answer](previews/draughts.md#why-does-a-game-stop-showing-positions-halfway) - **Why does my xiangqi file open as chess?** Its first tags do not say so: add `[Game "Chinese Chess"]` to the first game. [Answer](previews/xiangqi.md#why-does-my-xiangqi-file-open-as-chess) - **Why are Gote's shogi pieces marked v in the terminal app?** They point the other way, as KIF's board diagrams write them, on a small board; with room for tiles the terminal app turns them round, as the desktop app does. [Answer](previews/shogi.md#why-are-gotes-pieces-marked-v) - **Why does a bridge deal show no tricks?** The PBN file has no `Play` section; the hands, auction and result still show. [Answer](previews/bridge.md#why-does-a-deal-show-no-tricks) - **Does it score a Go game?** No: it plays the moves of the SGF file, takes off captured stones and shows the file's result. [Answer](previews/go.md#does-it-score-the-game-or-check-the-rules) - **Why are the names in a Chinese, Japanese or Korean SGF file garbled?** The file is in another charset than it says; add `CA[GB2312]` (or the right one). [Answer](previews/go.md#why-are-the-names-in-a-chinese-japanese-or-korean-file-garbled) - **Why is the source commit "not in your checkout"?** Coxswain never fetches; run `git fetch` in your checkout. [Answer](previews/provenance.md#why-is-my-commit-not-in-your-checkout) - **Why does search.db not show its tables like other databases?** It is Coxswain's own store: its preview says what it holds instead (files read by kind, vectors, errors, size per part); a copy is shown the same way. [Answer](previews/data.md#why-does-searchdb-not-show-its-tables-like-other-databases) ## Files - **How do I get one file out of a zip without unpacking all of it?** Press Enter on the zip, go to the file and press F5: only that file is copied out. [Answer](files/archives.md#how-do-i-get-one-file-out-of-a-zip-without-unpacking-all-of-it) - **Can the desktop app and the terminal app change one archive at once?** Yes: one waits for the other, so neither change is lost. [Answer](files/archives.md#can-i-change-one-archive-from-the-desktop-app-and-the-terminal-app-at-once) - **Is it safe to change an archive?** Yes: it is written anew into a `.coxswain-tmp` file next to it and only then renamed over the old one; a failure leaves it as it was. [Answer](files/archives.md#is-it-safe-to-change-an-archive-what-if-the-power-goes-off) - **Can I pack into a zip or 7z with a password?** Yes: Alt+F5, then type it twice; AES-256, and a 7z can hide its file names too. [Answer](files/archive-passwords.md#locking-a-new-archive) - **Which encryption is used when packing with a password?** AES-256 for zip (AE-2) and 7z; ZipCrypto is never written. [Answer](files/archive-passwords.md#which-encryption-is-used) - **Does Coxswain save my archive passwords?** No: a password lives in the running app's memory until it closes and is never written to disk. [Answer](files/archive-passwords.md#does-coxswain-save-my-archive-passwords) - **Which format should I pick when packing?** Zip to share, 7z for the smallest and to hide the names, `.tar.gz` on Linux and macOS; Alt+F5 has a *Format* list (Tab in the terminal app). [Answer](files/pack-and-extract.md#which-format-should-i-pick) - **Can I make a .tar.gz?** Yes: choose *tar.gz* in the Alt+F5 dialog, or press Tab in the terminal app's prompt until the name ends in `.tar.gz`. [Answer](files/pack-and-extract.md#can-i-make-a-targz) - **Can Coxswain open an .iso, .dmg or .vhd like a folder?** Yes, read-only and never mounted: turn on *Open disk images, CHM and CBR like folders* (Shift+F10 on the image, or Settings → Behaviour) and install 7-Zip; the preview shows the image's facts either way. [Answer](files/disk-images.md#why-does-enter-not-open-my-iso) - **Can I change files inside a disk image?** No: Coxswain never writes into one; F5 copies files out. [Answer](files/disk-images.md#can-i-change-files-inside-a-disk-image) - **Can Coxswain open a docker save or podman save tar?** Yes: Enter opens it as one read-only folder of its merged layers, whiteouts honoured; the preview and Properties show its tags, platforms and layers. An OCI layout folder opens with Enter on its index.json. [Answer](files/container-images.md#how-do-i-open-an-oci-layout-folder) - **My .vhd is VHDL code. Is it taken for a disk image?** No: only a file with a VHD footer is one; source stays code. [Answer](files/disk-images.md#my-vhd-is-vhdl-code-will-coxswain-take-it-for-a-disk-image) - **Which model is this sha256 file in Ollama's folder?** Its name is in front of it, `llama3.2:3b [sha256-…]`, read from Ollama's manifests; **Alt+Enter** shows what it holds and whether it fits this machine. [Answer](files/local-models.md#why-does-a-sha256-file-show-a-models-name) - **Why is my .pt file not opened?** A PyTorch pickle can run code when read, so Coxswain names it and never opens it. [Answer](files/local-models.md#why-is-my-pt-or-bin-file-not-opened) - **Why does opening a .rar do something else?** RAR is not supported (its format may only be read with RAR's own code, under its own licence), so Enter hands it to your system's program. [Answer](files/archives.md#why-does-opening-a-rar-do-something-else) - **How do I overwrite a file that exists?** Coxswain never overwrites; delete the old one first or copy under another name. [Answer](files/copy.md#how-do-i-overwrite-a-file-that-exists) - **Can I stop a copy, move or delete that is running?** Yes: Esc on the progress line in the terminal app, Stop (or Esc on it) in the desktop app. The file it was on is removed, what was done stays, and Ctrl+Z undoes it. [Answer](files/copy.md#can-i-stop-a-copy-that-is-running) - **Where did "Something went wrong" go?** Errors now say what failed (*Could not copy "report.pdf"*), the cause in one line, and every file with its reason under *Details*. [Answer](files/copy.md#where-did-something-went-wrong-go) - **Can I undo a delete?** **F8** (to the trash): yes, **Ctrl+Z** puts it back where it was, on the BSDs, illumos, Linux, in Termux and on Windows; on a Mac and in the Flatpak restore it from the system's trash. [Answer](files/undo.md#can-i-undo-a-delete) - **Why can't I undo Shift+F8?** It deletes for good, as `rm` does: nothing is kept that could come back. The question says *This cannot be undone.* [Answer](files/undo.md#why-cant-i-undo-shiftf8) - **Can I undo a rename or a move?** Yes: **Ctrl+Z** moves it back under its old name, in both apps, a batch rename too, up to the last 20 operations. [Answer](files/undo.md) - **How do I stop Coxswain asking before deleting?** Untick Settings → Behaviour → Ask before deleting (`confirm_delete = false`); Shift+F8 then deletes for good at once. [Answer](files/delete.md#how-do-i-stop-coxswain-asking-every-time) - **I cut files in Coxswain and pasted them elsewhere; why were they copied?** There is no common way to mark a cut on the clipboard, so other programs see a copy. [Answer](files/clipboard.md#i-cut-files-in-coxswain-and-pasted-them-in-my-other-file-manager-they-were-copied) - **Can I drop onto a folder inside the pane?** Yes: drop on the folder's row, or on a place or favourite in the sidebar; a dashed outline marks it. [Answer](files/drag-and-drop.md#can-i-drop-onto-a-folder-inside-the-pane) - **How do I rename many files at once?** **Ctrl+M** (desktop app): a regular expression and a counter, every new name shown first, conflicts caught. [Answer](files/batch-rename.md) - **How do I replace a word in many files at once?** **Alt+R** on the marked files, or in Find: every change shown first, any of them untickable, **Ctrl+Z** undoes the batch. [Answer](files/find-and-replace.md) - **How do I change the permissions or dates of many files at once?** **Alt+M**: `u+x`, `644` or `a+X`, a date or another file's date, into folders if asked; a plan first, **Ctrl+Z** undoes the batch. [Answer](files/permissions-and-dates.md) - **How do I change permissions?** **Alt+Enter** (Properties) in the desktop app ticks them; the terminal app's Properties only shows them, so use `chmod` there. [Answer](files/properties.md#how-do-i-change-permissions-in-the-terminal-app) - **How do I find duplicate files?** **Ctrl+D** in the desktop app scans the folders you tick, across disks, and marks the extra copies for the trash; `coxswain --duplicates` from a shell. [Answer](files/duplicates.md) - **How do I compare two files?** Put each panel's cursor on one (or mark two) and press **Shift+F2**: side by side, the changed words marked, **N** the next change; a change can be copied across and saved. [Answer](files/compare-files.md#which-two-files-does-it-compare) - **How do I compare two folders?** Open them in the two panels and press **Ctrl+F2**: both panels mark what is only there, newer, older or different; **Ctrl+F2** again offers to mark the differences for **F5**, show only them, or make one side like the other. [Answer](files/compare-folders.md#how-to-use-it) - **How do I get back a file from a ZFS snapshot?** **Alt+Z** in its folder lists the dataset's snapshots; **Enter** on one from before, then **F5** on the file copies it out. No root needed; nothing is rolled back. [Answer](files/zfs-snapshots.md#how-do-i-get-back-a-file-i-deleted-or-an-older-version-of-it) - **Which package does this file belong to?** **Alt+Enter** on it shows *Package git-2.56.0* on FreeBSD; *F9 → Files of this package* lists all its files. [Answer](files/properties.md#zfs-packages-and-file-flags) - **Can I set chflags from Coxswain?** Your own user flags (`nodump`, `hidden`, and `uchg`, `uappnd` off ZFS) in Properties, or *F9 → File flags* in the terminal app. System flags are root's. [Answer](files/properties.md#zfs-packages-and-file-flags) ## Customising - **Where do I change a key?** In `config.toml` under `[keys]`; Settings → Keys → **Open config.toml** (desktop app), or the row *Change keys in config.toml, under [keys]* and Enter (terminal app), opens it there. [Answer](customise/keys.md#where-do-i-change-a-key) - **I changed the theme and the terminal app did not change.** The two apps have a theme each: in Settings → Looks, switch *For* to *Terminal app* (or set the top-level `theme`), then restart the terminal app; its own Settings (**F12** → *Looks*) changes it at once. [Answer](customise/settings.md#i-changed-the-theme-and-the-terminal-app-did-not-change) - **Does the terminal app have Settings?** Yes: **F12** (*12 Settings* on the key bar), **F9** → *Settings*, or `coxswain --settings`. The same areas and options as the desktop app, full screen; Space flips, Enter types, saved at once. [Answer](customise/settings.md#how-do-i-change-a-setting-in-the-terminal-app) - **Will Settings mess up my hand-written config?** No: it changes the one value in place and keeps every comment and other key. [Answer](customise/settings.md#will-settings-mess-up-my-hand-written-config) - **The icons are empty boxes.** No Nerd Font is installed (desktop *Icon font*) or set in the terminal; install one or choose *Plain characters (ASCII)*. [Answer](customise/glyphs-and-fonts.md#the-icons-are-empty-boxes) - **Why did empty black windows pop up in the desktop app on Windows?** Versions before 2.20.1 ran git and converters in console windows; from 2.20.1 none shows. [Answer](commands/view-and-edit.md#why-did-empty-black-windows-pop-up-in-the-desktop-app-on-windows) - **Why is the font I picked not used?** The Windows, Mac, Cyber and NC themes bring their own font; *Font* applies to the modern themes. [Answer](customise/glyphs-and-fonts.md#why-is-the-font-i-picked-not-used) - **I set `[themes.cyber.panel]` to tweak Cyber, and everything else turned blue.** Your table replaces the built-in Cyber and unset slots take NC's colours; copy the whole theme from `coxswain --dump-config`. [Answer](customise/own-theme.md#i-set-themescyberpanel-to-tweak-cyber-and-everything-else-turned-blue) - **How do I keep the default key and add my own?** List both in `[keys]`: listing an action replaces all its defaults. [Answer](customise/keys.md#how-do-i-keep-the-default-key-and-add-my-own) - **My system is in US English. Why does Coxswain say "colour" but "trash"?** US English gets Canadian English: British spelling, North American words. [Answer](customise/languages.md#my-system-is-in-us-english-why-does-coxswain-say-colour-but-trash) - **A word in a translation no native speaker has read yet (Polish, Czech, Ukrainian, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Armenian, Georgian, Norwegian) reads wrong. Where do I say so?** These are fresh; a GitHub issue or a pull request on `crates/coxswain-core/locales/.json` is welcome. [Answer](customise/languages.md#improving-a-translation) - **Why do Æ, Ø and Å come after Z?** Names sort by the alphabet of the language Coxswain speaks; pick another language to sort by its alphabet. [Answer](panels/sorting.md#why-do-æ-ø-and-å-come-after-z-and-ä-with-a) - **My system is Norwegian. Do I get Bokmål or Nynorsk?** The one the system names (`nb_NO` or `nn_NO`); a plain `no` gets Bokmål. [Answer](customise/languages.md#my-system-is-norwegian-do-i-get-bokmål-or-nynorsk) - **Persian letters are separate and backwards in the terminal app. Why?** Joining and right to left are the terminal's work: Konsole and mlterm do both, Alacritty and kitty neither. [Answer](customise/languages.md#persian-letters-in-the-terminal-app-are-separate-and-backwards-can-coxswain-fix-that) - **The colours in my terminal look washed out, or wrong.** The themes use exact RGB and need a true-colour terminal; enable it in tmux. [Answer](customise/themes.md#the-colours-in-my-terminal-look-washed-out-or-wrong) ## Reference - **What can the terminal app not do, and why?** No preview pane, tabs, sidebar, tags, clipboard, batch rename or duplicates: a terminal cannot draw them or has no room; their keys say "is available in the desktop app". [Answer](reference/terminal-app.md#what-only-the-desktop-app-has) - **How do I turn on search by meaning without the desktop app?** `coxswain --meaning on` or `coxswain --setup-search`, then Find: files found by meaning are under *About this*. [Answer](reference/terminal-app.md#how-do-i-turn-on-search-by-meaning-without-the-desktop-app) - **How do I find out which version I have?** `coxswain --version`, or the title of Help (F1) and the window title in the desktop app. [Answer](reference/command-line-flags.md#how-do-i-find-out-which-version-i-have) - **I edited config.toml and nothing changed.** Both apps read it at start (the desktop app also after Settings); restart, and `[search]` needs a new helper. [Answer](reference/configuration.md#i-edited-configtoml-and-nothing-changed) - **I misspelt a key and Coxswain said nothing.** An unknown setting name is ignored and the default stays; a value it cannot use is named with its line. [Answer](reference/configuration.md#i-misspelt-a-key-and-coxswain-said-nothing) - **Coxswain says config.toml line 12 has a mistake. What now?** Enter in the terminal app's dialog, or a click on the desktop app's notice, opens `config.toml` at that line; only that setting has its default meanwhile. [Answer](reference/configuration.md#coxswain-says-configtoml-line-12-has-a-mistake-what-now) - **Does anything leave my machine?** Only the update check, a model download, a remote meaning server, image pulls (and their updates, when you turn those on) and web pictures in previews you open. [Answer](reference/privacy.md#does-anything-leave-my-machine) - **What can I clear without losing anything?** Everything under Settings → Privacy and updates → Disk use but your models and what is outside Coxswain's folder is built again by itself; *Clear everything that can be built again* takes it all. [Answer](reference/disk-use.md#what-can-i-clear-without-losing-anything) - **Will Disk use delete container images or caches that are mine?** No: only the images named in `[preview] images` and a Tectonic cache Coxswain made, each on its own click after the exact list. [Answer](reference/disk-use.md#will-it-delete-container-images-or-a-tectonic-cache-that-are-mine) - **Is it safe to clear search.db while Coxswain runs?** Yes: the search helper empties it itself. [Answer](reference/disk-use.md#is-it-safe-to-clear-searchdb-while-coxswain-runs) - **Does Coxswain update itself?** No; it tells you when it starts, then once a day while it is open, with the command for your package manager. [Answer](reference/updates.md#does-coxswain-update-itself) - **The upgrade command finds no new version.** WinGet, Flathub, Termux and nixpkgs get a release a few days after GitHub; the notice says so, and the release page has it now. [Answer](reference/updates.md#the-command-finds-no-new-version) - **Where are the licences of what Coxswain is built from?** In `THIRD-PARTY-NOTICES.md`: next to `LICENSE` in the terminal archive, in the desktop app's install folder, and on every release's Assets list, with an SBOM per app and a CBOM. [Answer](reference/bills-of-materials.md#where-are-the-licences-of-the-apps-i-installed) - **Why does Coxswain's CBOM list RC4 and MD5, rated broken?** It uses them only to read old encrypted PDFs for search inside files, never to protect anything; the CBOM says so with each one. [Answer](reference/bills-of-materials.md#why-are-rc4-and-md5-in-the-cbom-rated-broken) - **The cache folder is large. What takes the room?** Mostly search.db and the 465 MB model, then previews/. [Answer](reference/where-things-are-kept.md#the-cache-folder-is-large-what-takes-the-room) ## Systems - **Does Coxswain run on FreeBSD?** Yes, both apps on FreeBSD 14 and 15 (amd64), installed with one line: `fetch -qo - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mwo-dk/coxswain/master/install/install-freebsd.sh | sh`. The desktop app is experimental there. [Answer](systems/freebsd.md) - **Why is the desktop app experimental on FreeBSD?** Tauri does not support FreeBSD officially; two crates are patched until their fixes are released. Your files are handled by the same tested core. [Answer](systems/freebsd.md#the-desktop-app-what-experimental-means) - **Does it run on NetBSD, OpenBSD or illumos?** Yes: the terminal app on all three, and the desktop app (experimental) on NetBSD and OpenBSD, with one line each: `ftp -o - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mwo-dk/coxswain/master/install/install-unix.sh | sh` on NetBSD and OpenBSD, `curl -fsSL …/install-unix.sh | sh` on illumos. [NetBSD](systems/netbsd.md) · [OpenBSD](systems/openbsd.md) · [illumos](systems/illumos.md) - **And on NetBSD, OpenBSD or illumos?** rc.d (`coxswain_index=YES` and `coxswain_index_user=` in `/etc/rc.conf`), `rcctl enable coxswain_index` then `rcctl set coxswain_index user $USER`, or the SMF service `application/coxswain-index` with `start/user` set. [NetBSD](systems/netbsd.md#the-search-helper) · [OpenBSD](systems/openbsd.md#the-search-helper) · [illumos](systems/illumos.md#the-search-helper) - **And DragonFly BSD?** Not supported; its Rust (1.85 in DPorts) is too old for Coxswain's dependencies. [Systems](systems/README.md) - **Can I use it on my TrueNAS box?** The terminal app, over SSH, installed into your home: the Linux build on Community Edition, the FreeBSD one on CORE; **Alt+Z** browses every dataset's snapshots. [Answer](systems/truenas.md) - **Where are my boot environments and jails?** In the desktop app's sidebar, and under **Alt+F1** in the terminal app; mounted ones open as folders. [Answer](systems/freebsd.md#boot-environments-and-jails) - **How do I start the search helper on FreeBSD without a desktop session?** The rc.d script: `doas sysrc coxswain_index_enable=YES coxswain_index_user=$USER` and `doas service coxswain_index start`, or one line in `~/.profile`. [Answer](systems/freebsd.md#the-search-helper) - **Does Coxswain run on a Raspberry Pi?** Yes, with the 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS: `Coxswain__arm64.deb` and the `aarch64-unknown-linux-musl` terminal app. There is no 32-bit build. [Answer](systems/linux-arm.md#which-file-do-i-download-for-a-raspberry-pi) - **The ARM AppImage does not start and mentions FUSE.** `sudo apt install libfuse2` (`libfuse2t64` on Ubuntu 24.04 and newer), or use the `.deb`. [Answer](systems/linux-arm.md#the-appimage-does-not-start-and-mentions-fuse-what-now) - **Is there a Flatpak?** Yes, of the desktop app (`io.github.mwo_dk.Coxswain`); it is not on Flathub yet, so build it with `flatpak-builder` from `packaging/flatpak`. [Answer](systems/flatpak.md#building-it-yourself) - **In the Flatpak, F4 says *sh: hx: not found*.** The editor runs on the host: install it there, and give a terminal editor its terminal (`editor = "kitty -e hx"`). [Answer](systems/flatpak.md#questions) - **Does Coxswain run on an Android phone?** The terminal app does, in Termux: `pkg install coxswain` once the package is in Termux's repository, `cargo install --locked coxswain` until then. [Answer](systems/termux.md#installing) - **Where are my phone's folders in Termux?** Run `termux-setup-storage` once; then **Alt+F1** lists *Phone: shared*, *Phone: downloads* and the others. [Answer](systems/termux.md#your-phones-folders) - **In Termux I only see Termux's own files.** Run `termux-setup-storage` once; the phone's folders are then in `~/storage`. [Answer](systems/termux.md#your-phones-folders) - **Where does F8 put my files in Termux?** In Coxswain's own trash, `~/.local/share/Trash`; on the phone's storage (`~/storage`) F8 asks to delete for good instead. Android's Files app bin is separate. [Answer](systems/termux.md#where-does-f8-put-my-files-in-termux) - **Which `.deb` does my Chromebook need?** `dpkg --print-architecture` in its Linux terminal: `amd64` or `arm64`. [Answer](systems/chromeos.md#which-deb-does-my-chromebook-need) - **Why does Coxswain not see my Chromebook's Downloads?** Linux sees only *Linux files* until you right-click a folder in the Files app and choose *Share with Linux*. [Answer](systems/chromeos.md#why-does-coxswain-not-see-my-downloads-folder) - **On a Mac, Coxswain keeps asking to "access data from other apps".** Versions before 2.1.1 walked `~/Library`; now the walks leave it out (but iCloud Drive and the cloud folders) and never open Photos or Music libraries, so the helper does not raise that prompt. [Answer](systems/macos.md#it-kept-asking-to-access-data-from-other-apps-why-and-is-it-gone) - **Does Coxswain need Full Disk Access on a Mac?** No, and it never asks; Desktop, Documents and Downloads are asked for once each. [Answer](systems/macos.md#does-coxswain-need-full-disk-access) - **Do I need Ollama for search by meaning on a Mac?** No: the built-in model runs on the Mac's GPU (Metal); the setup guide recommends it when no server answers. [Answer](systems/macos.md#do-i-need-ollama-for-search-by-meaning-on-a-mac) - **Which installer do I need on a Snapdragon laptop?** `Coxswain__arm64-setup.exe`: native, no emulation. [Answer](systems/windows-arm.md#which-installer-do-i-need-on-a-snapdragon-laptop) ## Coming from 1.x - **Coxswain 2.0 changed my config.toml: what happened?** On its first start it renamed seven keys to the words the apps use (`mkdir` → `new_folder`, `select_group` → `mark_group`, `[search] exclude` → `name_exclude` …), once, keeping your values, comments and order; a notice lists what it changed. [Answer](reference/configuration.md#coxswain-20-changed-my-configtoml-what-happened) - **My `[keys] mkdir` stopped working.** It is `new_folder` since 2.0; an old name typed in after the first start is left out, and a notice names it. [Answer](customise/keys.md#my-keys-mkdir-stopped-working-in-20-why) - **Why does `--settings=meaning` open the Overview now?** 2.0 takes only an area or an option's name: use `--settings=search_meaning` (and `ask_model`, `overview`, `search_cloud` for 1.x's `ask`, `news`, `cloud`). [Answer](customise/settings.md#why-does---settingsmeaning-open-the-overview-now) --- [← Previous: Windows on ARM](systems/windows-arm.md) · [Next: Changelog →](changelog.md)