Supported File Managers & Dialog Integrations
Lertaro works both as a standalone search launcher and embedded inside Windows File Explorer, third-party file managers, and software dialogs, streamlining file opening, saving, and folder navigation.
1. Three Core Integration Capabilities
Depending on the host window's characteristics, Lertaro provides up to three distinct integration features:
- Inline Search: Lertaro's fast search box embeds directly at the top of the host window or file dialog, enabling instant directory-scoped or global searches without context switching. It appears the moment you type a letter or digit in a supported file list, carrying that first character into its own box.
- Quick Navigation: Middle-click (or, if you enable it, double-left-click — off by default) empty areas or click the embedded logo to summon a Quick Navigation menu of active folders, favorites, history, and custom categories. Third-party file managers support middle-click only.
- Active Path Detection: Senses the physical directory currently opened in the host window, scoping searches automatically and resolving relative path actions.
TIP
An inline card docked in a file dialog deliberately keeps the keyboard on the dialog's side, so typing continues to work exactly as before. Double-tap Ctrl — or whatever summon hotkey you configured — to move the caret into the card, and press it again on an empty card to hand focus back. See Hotkeys, section "Summoning and Focus Handover in the Inline Window".
2. Native Windows Components (Built-in Out of the Box)
These native components are supported directly by Lertaro's core engine without requiring additional plugins:
| Host Window Type | Inline Search | Quick Navigation Trigger | Active Path Detection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows File Explorer | Supported | Middle-click empty areas, or double-left-click once enabled | Supported |
| Modern Open/Save Dialogs | Supported (Directly embedded) | Middle-click, or left-click the embedded logo | — |
| Legacy Open/Save Dialogs | Supported | Middle-click, or left-click the embedded logo | — |
| Legacy Browse for Folder Dialogs | Supported | Middle-click, or left-click the embedded logo | — |
NOTE
In file selection dialogs, Lertaro is already directly embedded inside the window, eliminating the need for external path detection. Clicking a target in Quick Navigation jumps the dialog straight to that folder.
3. Professional Third-party File Managers (Optional Plugins)
For advanced users relying on third-party file managers, Lertaro offers dedicated integration plugins. Enable them under Settings → Plugins and configure Inline Search and Quick Navigation independently:
| File Manager | Inline Search | Quick Navigation Trigger | Active Path Detection | Core Communication Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directory Opus | Supported | Middle-click in the file list area | Supported | WM_COPYDATA official remote API |
| Total Commander | Supported | Middle-click in the file list area | Supported | WM_COPYDATA message protocol |
| XYplorer | Supported | Middle-click in the file list area | Supported | Dedicated process communication |
| Files | Supported | Middle-click in the file list area | Supported | Windows UI Automation framework |
| One Commander | Supported | Middle-click in the file list area | Supported | Windows UI Automation framework |
Directory Opus Exclusive Integration
- Recursive Folder Size Column (Lertaro Size): When "Enable Lertaro Size Column" is enabled, Lertaro installs a custom script column into Directory Opus. This column reads recursive folder sizes directly from Lertaro's in-memory index, displaying total folder sizes across entire drives in sub-seconds with zero disk I/O.
- Persistent Format: Add the "Lertaro Size" column in Directory Opus, then click Folder → Folder Formats → Save → Save Format to All Folders to make it permanent globally.
Everything Compatibility Service (IPC)
Under Settings → General → System, enable Enable Everything Compatibility Service (IPC) to emulate the standard Everything Win32 IPC interface. Tools like Directory Opus, Total Commander, and Flow Launcher can query Lertaro's in-memory index directly via their existing Everything plugins.
4. Custom Application Dialogs (Dedicated Plugins)
Many software suites use custom-drawn windows instead of native Windows dialogs. Lertaro provides dedicated plugin integrations for these popular tools:
| Application & Dialog Type | Inline Search | Quick Navigation Trigger | Integration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPS Office Open/Save Dialogs | Supported | Middle-click or click embedded logo | Supports WPS Writer, Spreadsheets, Presentation, and PDF |
| WinRAR Extraction Dialog | Supported | Middle-click or click embedded logo | Quickly target destination extraction paths |
| Bandizip Extraction Dialog | Supported | Middle-click or click embedded logo | Specify extraction output folders instantly |
| Bandizip Add Files Dialog | Supported | Middle-click or click embedded logo | Select archive source files rapidly |
| AutoCAD Open/Save Dialogs | Supported | Middle-click or click embedded logo | Optimized for CAD drawing retrieval and storage |
Integrations identify internal control hierarchies and handle levels, remaining fully compatible regardless of software language packs or UI skin variations.