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Accessibility

DCommander is designed to be efficient and accessible. This page collects tips for keyboard-only operation, screen readers, contrast/visibility, and motion sensitivity.

Legend: ⌘ Command · ⌥ Option · ⌃ Control · ⇧ Shift · ⏎ Return · Space

Keyboard-first​

  • Everything has a shortcut. See Keyboard Shortcuts.
  • Pane focus: ⇥ switches panes; ↑/↓ moves the list cursor; ⏎ opens; ⌫ goes to parent (or ←/→ with Lynx-like navigation enabled).
  • Operations: F5 Copy, F6 Move, F3 View, F4 Edit, F7 New Folder, F8 Delete.
  • Selection: ⇧+↑/↓ (range), ⌘+click (pick), Space toggles current item.
  • Hotlist & tabs: ⌘D opens Folder Hotlist; ⌘T new tab; ⌥⌘←/→ previous/next tab.

macOS settings that help

  • System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard Shortcuts… › Full Keyboard Access: All controls
  • System Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard: Sticky Keys, Key Repeat, Slow Keys as needed.

VoiceOver​

DCommander exposes labels/roles for key controls and lists.

  • Turn on: ⌘F5 (or System Settings › Accessibility › VoiceOver).
  • Landmarks & rotor: Use VO+U to jump between Toolbar, Left Sidebar, Right Sidebar, File Lists, and Command Line Bar.
  • Lists: VO+Arrow keys navigate; VO+Space activates (opens, toggles).
    The active pane is announced; operations flow active → inactive.
  • File Info (right sidebar): Attributes (kind, size, dates, permissions, extended attributes, path) are selectable for copy/paste.
  • Quick Look: VO+Space on Quick Look or press Space on a selection; press Space again to close.

Tips

  • Use Item Chooser (VO+I) to jump to a filename quickly.
  • Keep verbosity on default or higher for clearer announcements of selection vs focus.

Contrast, color, and focus visibility​

DCommander respects macOS appearance preferences.

  • Light/Dark mode: System Settings › Appearance.
  • Increase contrast / Reduce transparency: System Settings › Accessibility › Display.
    Improves edge contrast in lists, sidebars, and the splitter.
  • Differentiate without color: When possible, DCommander uses icons/indicators in addition to color for status.
  • Focus rings: The active pane and selected rows show a clear focus/selection state. If these feel subtle, enable Increase contrast.

Column layout for readability

  • Minimize horizontal scrolling: show only needed columns (right-click headers to toggle), widen Name, keep Kind/Date/Size visible.

Reduced motion​

Animations follow Reduce motion.

  • Enable: System Settings › Accessibility › Display › Reduce motion.
    DCommander minimizes nonessential motion and prefers instant updates.
  • If you still experience discomfort, reduce previews (Quick Look) on very large media and avoid continuous hover effects.

Large text & scaling​

  • System text size: System Settings › Display › Text Size affects controls and lists.
  • Zoom: System Settings › Accessibility › Zoom (keyboard shortcuts, scroll gesture with modifier).
  • Workspace tweaks: Increase column widths, hide unneeded columns, enlarge the window, and toggle the Information bar on the right for at-a-glance metadata.

Mouse-free command line​

For users who prefer the keyboard and assistive tech:

  • The Command Line Bar (below the panes) shows the current path and lets you run commands at that path.
    Type a command and press ⏎ to execute. This pairs well with screen readers and high-contrast setups.

Quick Look & Viewer considerations​

  • Quick Look (Space): Fast, lightweight; works well with VoiceOver on many formats.
    If Alternate Spacebar action toggles selection instead, switch it off in Preferences › Operation › Navigation.
  • Viewer (F3): Use Text for logs, HEX for headers/signatures, Media for basic playback.
    For better zoom and text wrapping, F4 to open in your editor of choice.

Troubleshooting​

  • Focus is lost / wrong pane is active
    Press ⇥ to toggle panes; the active pane is the source for F5/F6.
  • Quick Look won’t open with Space
    Disable Alternate Spacebar action or assign Quick Look to a different key.
  • Screen reader announces too little
    Increase VoiceOver verbosity and hints in VO Utility › Verbosity.
  • Low visibility in bright light
    Enable Increase contrast and consider Light appearance; reduce transparency for sharper edges.
  • Motion sensitivity
    Turn on Reduce motion; limit rapid Quick Look on very large media.