Creating and adding to Linux file manager a right-click action using nemo_action

When using the file manager I like files to be sorted by date descending. Hence seeing the newest files and directories first on top and the ones I recently updated.

The problem is when you have nested directories and you update a file in a sub directory.

For example, consider this directory structure:

- flights
   +- Athens 2026-01 
        +- Hotels

If I add or update something in the "Hotels" directory, the "Athens 2026-01" directory does not pop up because I updated a sub-dir.

For this, I like the command "touch" in Linux. Touch allows me to change the timestamp of a file or a directory (and also creates new files and more).

I wanted to add the option inside the GUI of Linux file manager to right-click and "touch" a directory or a file.

I used nemo_actions (nemo actions) option to do so.

Step 1: Open the Actions Directory
Nemo looks for custom actions in a specific hidden folder. 

Open your file manager (Nemo).

Press Ctrl + H to show hidden files.

Navigate to: .local -> share -> nemo -> actions (Full path: /home/YOUR_USERNAME/.local/share/nemo/actions)

Step 2: Create the Action File
Right-click in the empty space of this folder and choose Create New Document -> Empty Document.

Name the file: touch.nemo_action (The name doesn't strictly matter, but the .nemo_action extension is mandatory).

Open this new file with a text editor and paste the following code:

[Nemo Action]
Name=Touch (Update Timestamp)
Comment=Update the timestamp of selected files/folders to now
Exec=touch %F
Icon-Name=preferences-system-time
Selection=notnone
Extensions=any;
Quote=double
 

Step 3: Test It
You usually do not need to restart Nemo.

Go to any other folder (e.g., Downloads).

Select a file or directory.

Right-click it.

You should now see "Touch (Update Timestamp)" in the menu. Clicking it will update the "Modified" date to right now.