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.

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

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

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

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 for full details.

Author

Created by Ninjalope

If you find this plugin helpful, consider supporting development ☕

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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.