How to use the Dolphin command (with examples)

Dolphin is KDE’s file manager that allows users to manage files and directories. It provides a graphical interface for file operations and navigation, making it easy to organize and work with files on a KDE desktop environment.

Use case 1: Launch the file manager

Code:

dolphin

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to open Dolphin to explore your files and directories.

Explanation: Running the dolphin command without any arguments launches the Dolphin file manager.

Example output: Dolphin window opens up, displaying the default location (usually the user’s home directory).

Use case 2: Open specific directories

Code:

dolphin path/to/directory1 path/to/directory2 ...

Motivation: This use case allows you to open specific directories directly in Dolphin, without navigating through the file hierarchy manually.

Explanation: By providing the paths to one or more directories as arguments to the dolphin command, Dolphin will open each directory in a separate tab.

Example output: Dolphin opens with tabs for each specified directory, showing the contents of each directory.

Use case 3: Open with specific files or directories selected

Code:

dolphin --select path/to/file_or_directory1 path/to/file_or_directory2 ...

Motivation: This use case enables you to open Dolphin with specific files or directories already selected.

Explanation: The --select option followed by the paths of the desired files or directories allows Dolphin to open with those items pre-selected.

Example output: Dolphin opens with the specified files or directories selected, ready for further operations like copying or moving.

Use case 4: Open a new window

Code:

dolphin --new-window

Motivation: Sometimes you may want to open Dolphin in a new window separate from an already running instance.

Explanation: The --new-window option instructs Dolphin to open in a new window, even if Dolphin is already running.

Example output: Dolphin opens in a new window, leaving any existing Dolphin windows unaffected.

Use case 5: Open specific directories in split view

Code:

dolphin --split path/to/directory1 path/to/directory2

Motivation: This use case allows you to open specific directories side by side in Dolphin’s split view, making it easier to compare or move files between them.

Explanation: The --split option followed by the paths to the directories opens Dolphin in split view with each directory displayed in its own pane.

Example output: Dolphin opens in a split view layout with the specified directories side by side.

Use case 6: Launch the daemon

Code:

dolphin --daemon

Motivation: The Dolphin daemon is required to use the DBus interface, which can be useful in some advanced scripting and automation scenarios.

Explanation: Running the --daemon option starts the Dolphin daemon in the background, allowing access to the DBus interface.

Example output: The Dolphin daemon starts silently in the background, ready to handle requests from other applications via DBus.

Use case 7: Display help

Code:

dolphin --help

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you need a quick reference to Dolphin’s command-line options and their descriptions.

Explanation: The --help option provides a brief summary of the available command-line options for Dolphin.

Example output: Dolphin displays detailed information about its command-line options, including explanations of each option’s functionality.

Conclusion:

The Dolphin command provides a range of options for effectively managing files and directories on a KDE desktop environment. These use cases cover various scenarios such as opening specific directories, selecting files or directories, opening in a new window, or even starting the Dolphin daemon for DBus interactions. Understanding these use cases will enhance your productivity and efficiency when working with files and directories using Dolphin.