G'day,

Phil / Jim / Robert
Many thanks for the suggestions, I have started another thread so as not to clutter up this one.

Peter,
Some testing has shown the LCDPANEL USER is not remembered, with:
OPTION LCDPANEL USER,800,480 set
On a power cycle or reset:
OPTION LCDPANEL USER 0,0 is displayed
If OPTION LCDPANEL USER,800,480 is put in MM.Startup:
LCDPANEL ALREADY CONFIGURED is displayed on startup

Also once it is set up with SUB MM.USER_Rectangle and SUB MM.USER_Bitmap in the library, when returning from the editor:
MM.USER_BITMAP not found
MM.USER_RECTANGLE not found

Apologies, this is all from memory as I deleted the file with saved text from the PicoMite, this is otherwise the same as shown below.


Regards,
Lyle.

  Quote  

Some testing has shown the LCDPANEL USER is not remembered, with:
OPTION LCDPANEL USER,800,480 set
On a power cycle or reset:
OPTION LCDPANEL USER 0,0 is displayed
If OPTION LCDPANEL USER,800,480 is put in MM.Startup:
LCDPANEL ALREADY CONFIGURED is displayed on startup

User drivers are temporary.
You mustn't do any sort of Option change that "saves" while using a user driver otherwise you get this effect. Do OPTION LCDPANEL DISABLE then configure in the program

G'day Peter,
Thanks for the clarification, was trying to use LCDPANEL USER same as LCDPANEL VIRTUAL  
Regards,
Lyle.

  matherp said  

RP2350 USB versions now support a USB flash drive as DRIVE C: Transfer rate is poor but it seems to work correctly e.g. runs Petscii off the flash drive

VERY much appreciated. Suits my needs perfectly.

V6.02.02b3

PicoMiteRP2040V6.02.02B3.zip

PicoMiteRP2350V6.02.02B3.zip

All versions except PicoMiteMin now support the in-built file manager FM. If you use the FM I will be particulalry interested in any actions that cause a crash out to the command prompt. If this happens please try and identify a reproducible pattern that can demonstrate the issue.


# FM Command User Manual

## Overview

The `FM` command opens a full-screen, two-panel file manager for the active storage devices.

It is designed for keyboard-driven workflow on serial terminals, VGA, HDMI, and LCD console modes:

- Browse directories in two panels.
- Sort each panel by name, datetime, or type then name.
- Launch `.BAS` programs directly.
- Open files in the built-in editor.
- Copy, rename, delete, and create directories.
- Mark multiple items and run batch copy/delete operations.
- Play audio files and preview image files.
- Keep context between invocations (paths, panel selection, filters, and sort mode).

## Command

```basic
FM
```

`FM` takes no arguments.

## Panels And Navigation

Each panel has:

- Current drive and path.
- Optional filename filter.
- Scrollable file list.
- Current selection highlight.

List rows use a leading marker column:

- `*` means the item is marked.
- ` ` (space) means unmarked.

The active panel is where file operations are applied.

## Keyboard Shortcuts

FM supports both function keys and Ctrl-key alternatives so it remains usable on keyboards without full function key or paging clusters.

| Action | Primary Keys | Alternative Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Exit FM | `ESC` | - |
| Switch panel | `TAB`, `LEFT`, `RIGHT` | `Ctrl-S` (left), `Ctrl-D` (right) |
| Move selection up/down | `UP`, `DOWN` | `Ctrl-E`, `Ctrl-X` |
| Page up/page down | `PgUp`, `PgDn` | `Ctrl-P`, `Ctrl-L` |
| Go to panel root/end | `HOME`, `END` | `Ctrl-U`, `Ctrl-K` |
| Go to parent directory | `Backspace` | - |
| Open selected item | `Enter` | - |
| Cycle sort mode | `S` | - |
| Help | `F1` | `Ctrl-Q` |
| Edit selected file | `F2` | `Ctrl-W` |
| Set filter | `F3` | `Ctrl-R` |
| Clear filter | `F4` | `Ctrl-T` |
| Copy selected/marked item(s) | `F5` | `Ctrl-Y` |
| Stop audio | `F6` | `Ctrl-O` |
| Volume down/up | `F7`, `F8` | `-`, `+` (or `=` for up) |
| Rename selected item | `F9` | `Ctrl-N` |
| Delete selected/marked item(s) | `DEL` | `Ctrl-]` |
| Make directory | `F10` | `Ctrl-B` |
| Select drive | `A`, `B`, `C` | - |
| Go to path | `G` | - |
| New file (create and edit) | `N` | - |
| Duplicate selected item | `D` | - |
| Move selected item to other panel | `M` | - |
| Recursive delete selected/marked item(s) | `X` | - |
| Mark/unmark current item | `Space` | - |
| Mark all items in panel | `*` | - |
| Clear all marks in panel | `\` | - |
| Type-to-select by filename | `/` then type prefix | `Enter` open selected, `Esc` cancel, `Backspace` edit |

## Sorting

Press `S` to cycle sort mode for the active panel:

- Name
- Datetime (newest first)
- Type then name

Sort mode is saved in FM context and restored on next launch.

## Type-Select

Press `/` to enter type-select mode.

- Entering type-select forces the active panel to **name sort** first.
- Type characters to build a filename prefix match (case-insensitive).
- Matching is debounced briefly while typing to reduce redraw churn.
- `Backspace` edits the prefix.
- `Enter` exits type-select mode and opens the currently selected item.
- `Esc` cancels type-select mode.

## Open Behavior

Press `Enter` on the selected item:

- Directory: enters the directory.
- `.BAS` file: launches the program.
- Audio file: starts playback.
- Image file (`.BMP`, `.JPG`, `.PNG`): displays image preview.

## Editor Integration

`F2` or `Ctrl-W` opens the selected file in the editor.

When FM launches a BASIC program and that program throws an error, FM keeps context so returning to FM and opening the same file can position the editor at the reported error location.

## File Operations

- Copy is recursive for directories.
- Delete removes files or empty directories.
- Rename applies to the selected item.
- New directory is created in the active panel path.
- `D` duplicates the selected file or directory in the current panel.
- `M` moves the selected item to the other panel destination.
- `G` prompts for an absolute or relative path and jumps there.
- `N` creates an empty file and opens it in the editor.
- `X` performs recursive delete for directories (and delete for files) using two separate confirmation prompts.
- `/` starts type-select mode so letters can be used as a filename prefix without triggering command keys.

Multi-select behavior:

- If one or more items are marked, `F5`/`Ctrl-Y` copies all marked items.
- If one or more items are marked, `DEL`/`Ctrl-]` deletes all marked items (single confirmation).
- If one or more items are marked, `X` recursively deletes all marked items (double confirmation).
- If no items are marked, operations apply to the currently selected item.

Cross-drive directory copy is supported.
Direct cross-drive directory move with `M` is not supported; use copy then delete.

Status messages are shown on the bottom line for operation results and errors.

## Notes For Manual Integration

This section is intended for inclusion in the main PicoMite User Manual under command reference (for example, near `FILES`, `CHDIR`, and editor-related commands).
Edited 2026-04-15 04:32 by matherp

This file manager is really very useful!!!
Only one remark:
For smaller LCDs, like Picocalc can be good a line where the whole filename seems.
Because for example on Picocalc if you have more files starting with the same word, chars you can’t see which one is which one.
But the idea is brilliant! Thank you!

@Peter,

mini 2040 beta 3 does not work.
Clear flash
Install beta 3
type "files" -> crash (restart)

Volhout

Will fix tomorrow. Should only be the files command affected.