fzf/README.md

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/junegunn/i/master/fzf.png" height="170" alt="fzf - a command-line fuzzy finder"> [![github-actions](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/workflows/Test%20fzf%20on%20Linux/badge.svg)](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/actions)
===

fzf is a general-purpose command-line fuzzy finder.

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/junegunn/i/master/fzf-preview.png" width=640>

It's an interactive Unix filter for command-line that can be used with any
list; files, command history, processes, hostnames, bookmarks, git commits,
etc.

Pros
----

- Portable, no dependencies
- Blazingly fast
- The most comprehensive feature set
- Flexible layout
- Batteries included
    - Vim/Neovim plugin, key bindings, and fuzzy auto-completion

Table of Contents
-----------------

<!-- vim-markdown-toc GFM -->

* [Installation](#installation)
    * [Using Homebrew](#using-homebrew)
    * [Using git](#using-git)
    * [Using Linux package managers](#using-linux-package-managers)
    * [Windows](#windows)
    * [As Vim plugin](#as-vim-plugin)
* [Upgrading fzf](#upgrading-fzf)
* [Building fzf](#building-fzf)
* [Usage](#usage)
        * [Using the finder](#using-the-finder)
        * [Layout](#layout)
        * [Search syntax](#search-syntax)
        * [Environment variables](#environment-variables)
        * [Options](#options)
        * [Demo](#demo)
* [Examples](#examples)
* [`fzf-tmux` script](#fzf-tmux-script)
* [Key bindings for command-line](#key-bindings-for-command-line)
* [Fuzzy completion for bash and zsh](#fuzzy-completion-for-bash-and-zsh)
        * [Files and directories](#files-and-directories)
        * [Process IDs](#process-ids)
        * [Host names](#host-names)
        * [Environment variables / Aliases](#environment-variables--aliases)
        * [Settings](#settings)
        * [Supported commands](#supported-commands)
        * [Custom fuzzy completion](#custom-fuzzy-completion)
* [Vim plugin](#vim-plugin)
* [Advanced topics](#advanced-topics)
    * [Performance](#performance)
    * [Executing external programs](#executing-external-programs)
    * [Reloading the candidate list](#reloading-the-candidate-list)
        * [1. Update the list of processes by pressing CTRL-R](#1-update-the-list-of-processes-by-pressing-ctrl-r)
        * [2. Switch between sources by pressing CTRL-D or CTRL-F](#2-switch-between-sources-by-pressing-ctrl-d-or-ctrl-f)
        * [3. Interactive ripgrep integration](#3-interactive-ripgrep-integration)
    * [Preview window](#preview-window)
* [Tips](#tips)
        * [Respecting `.gitignore`](#respecting-gitignore)
        * [Fish shell](#fish-shell)
* [Related projects](#related-projects)
* [License](#license)

<!-- vim-markdown-toc -->

Installation
------------

fzf project consists of the following components:

- `fzf` executable
- `fzf-tmux` script for launching fzf in a tmux pane
- Shell extensions
    - Key bindings (`CTRL-T`, `CTRL-R`, and `ALT-C`) (bash, zsh, fish)
    - Fuzzy auto-completion (bash, zsh)
- Vim/Neovim plugin

You can [download fzf executable][bin] alone if you don't need the extra
stuff.

[bin]: https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/releases

### Using Homebrew

You can use [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) (on macOS or Linux)
to install fzf.

```sh
brew install fzf

# To install useful key bindings and fuzzy completion:
$(brew --prefix)/opt/fzf/install
```

fzf is also available [via MacPorts][portfile]: `sudo port install fzf`

[portfile]: https://github.com/macports/macports-ports/blob/master/sysutils/fzf/Portfile

### Using git

Alternatively, you can "git clone" this repository to any directory and run
[install](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/blob/master/install) script.

```sh
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/junegunn/fzf.git ~/.fzf
~/.fzf/install
```

### Using Linux package managers

| Package Manager | Linux Distribution      | Command                            |
| ---             | ---                     | ---                                |
| APK             | Alpine Linux            | `sudo apk add fzf`                 |
| APT             | Debian 9+/Ubuntu 19.10+ | `sudo apt install fzf`             |
| Conda           |                         | `conda install -c conda-forge fzf` |
| DNF             | Fedora                  | `sudo dnf install fzf`             |
| Nix             | NixOS, etc.             | `nix-env -iA nixpkgs.fzf`          |
| Pacman          | Arch Linux              | `sudo pacman -S fzf`               |
| pkg             | FreeBSD                 | `pkg install fzf`                  |
| pkgin           | NetBSD                  | `pkgin install fzf`                |
| pkg_add         | OpenBSD                 | `pkg_add fzf`                      |
| XBPS            | Void Linux              | `sudo xbps-install -S fzf`         |
| Zypper          | openSUSE                | `sudo zypper install fzf`          |

> :warning: **Key bindings (CTRL-T / CTRL-R / ALT-C) and fuzzy auto-completion
> may not be enabled by default.**
>
> Refer to the package documentation for more information. (e.g. `apt show fzf`)

[![Packaging status](https://repology.org/badge/vertical-allrepos/fzf.svg)](https://repology.org/project/fzf/versions)

### Windows

Pre-built binaries for Windows can be downloaded [here][bin]. fzf is also
available via [Chocolatey][choco] and [Scoop][scoop]:

| Package manager | Command             |
| ---             | ---                 |
| Chocolatey      | `choco install fzf` |
| Scoop           | `scoop install fzf` |

[choco]: https://chocolatey.org/packages/fzf
[scoop]: https://github.com/ScoopInstaller/Main/blob/master/bucket/fzf.json

Known issues and limitations on Windows can be found on [the wiki
page][windows-wiki].

[windows-wiki]: https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/wiki/Windows

### As Vim plugin

If you use
[vim-plug](https://github.com/junegunn/vim-plug), add this line to your Vim
configuration file:

```vim
Plug 'junegunn/fzf', { 'do': { -> fzf#install() } }
```

`fzf#install()` makes sure that you have the latest binary, but it's optional,
so you can omit it if you use a plugin manager that doesn't support hooks.

For more installation options, see [README-VIM.md](README-VIM.md).

Upgrading fzf
-------------

fzf is being actively developed, and you might want to upgrade it once in a
while. Please follow the instruction below depending on the installation
method used.

- git: `cd ~/.fzf && git pull && ./install`
- brew: `brew update; brew upgrade fzf`
- macports: `sudo port upgrade fzf`
- chocolatey: `choco upgrade fzf`
- vim-plug: `:PlugUpdate fzf`

Building fzf
------------

See [BUILD.md](BUILD.md).

Usage
-----

fzf will launch interactive finder, read the list from STDIN, and write the
selected item to STDOUT.

```sh
find * -type f | fzf > selected
```

Without STDIN pipe, fzf will use find command to fetch the list of
files excluding hidden ones. (You can override the default command with
`FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND`)

```sh
vim $(fzf)
```

#### Using the finder

- `CTRL-K` / `CTRL-J` (or `CTRL-P` / `CTRL-N`) to move cursor up and down
- `Enter` key to select the item, `CTRL-C` / `CTRL-G` / `ESC` to exit
- On multi-select mode (`-m`), `TAB` and `Shift-TAB` to mark multiple items
- Emacs style key bindings
- Mouse: scroll, click, double-click; shift-click and shift-scroll on
  multi-select mode

#### Layout

fzf by default starts in fullscreen mode, but you can make it start below the
cursor with `--height` option.

```sh
vim $(fzf --height 40%)
```

Also, check out `--reverse` and `--layout` options if you prefer
"top-down" layout instead of the default "bottom-up" layout.

```sh
vim $(fzf --height 40% --reverse)
```

You can add these options to `$FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS` so that they're applied by
default. For example,

```sh
export FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS='--height 40% --layout=reverse --border'
```

#### Search syntax

Unless otherwise specified, fzf starts in "extended-search mode" where you can
type in multiple search terms delimited by spaces. e.g. `^music .mp3$ sbtrkt
!fire`

| Token     | Match type                 | Description                          |
| --------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| `sbtrkt`  | fuzzy-match                | Items that match `sbtrkt`            |
| `'wild`   | exact-match (quoted)       | Items that include `wild`            |
| `^music`  | prefix-exact-match         | Items that start with `music`        |
| `.mp3$`   | suffix-exact-match         | Items that end with `.mp3`           |
| `!fire`   | inverse-exact-match        | Items that do not include `fire`     |
| `!^music` | inverse-prefix-exact-match | Items that do not start with `music` |
| `!.mp3$`  | inverse-suffix-exact-match | Items that do not end with `.mp3`    |

If you don't prefer fuzzy matching and do not wish to "quote" every word,
start fzf with `-e` or `--exact` option. Note that when  `--exact` is set,
`'`-prefix "unquotes" the term.

A single bar character term acts as an OR operator. For example, the following
query matches entries that start with `core` and end with either `go`, `rb`,
or `py`.

```
^core go$ | rb$ | py$
```

#### Environment variables

- `FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND`
    - Default command to use when input is tty
    - e.g. `export FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='fd --type f'`
    - > :warning: This variable is not used by shell extensions due to the
      > slight difference in requirements.
      >
      > (e.g. `CTRL-T` runs `$FZF_CTRL_T_COMMAND` instead, `vim **<tab>` runs
      > `_fzf_compgen_path()`, and `cd **<tab>` runs `_fzf_compgen_dir()`)
      >
      > The available options are described later in this document.
- `FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS`
    - Default options
    - e.g. `export FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS="--layout=reverse --inline-info"`

#### Options

See the man page (`man fzf`) for the full list of options.

#### Demo
If you learn by watching videos, check out this screencast by [@samoshkin](https://github.com/samoshkin) to explore `fzf` features.

<a title="fzf - command-line fuzzy finder" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgG5Jhi_Els">
  <img src="https://i.imgur.com/vtG8olE.png" width="640">
</a>

Examples
--------

* [Wiki page of examples](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/wiki/examples)
    * *Disclaimer: The examples on this page are maintained by the community
      and are not thoroughly tested*
* [Advanced fzf examples](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/blob/master/ADVANCED.md)

`fzf-tmux` script
-----------------

[fzf-tmux](bin/fzf-tmux) is a bash script that opens fzf in a tmux pane.

```sh
# usage: fzf-tmux [LAYOUT OPTIONS] [--] [FZF OPTIONS]

# See available options
fzf-tmux --help

# select git branches in horizontal split below (15 lines)
git branch | fzf-tmux -d 15

# select multiple words in vertical split on the left (20% of screen width)
cat /usr/share/dict/words | fzf-tmux -l 20% --multi --reverse
```

It will still work even when you're not on tmux, silently ignoring `-[pudlr]`
options, so you can invariably use `fzf-tmux` in your scripts.

Alternatively, you can use `--height HEIGHT[%]` option not to start fzf in
fullscreen mode.

```sh
fzf --height 40%
```

Key bindings for command-line
-----------------------------

The install script will setup the following key bindings for bash, zsh, and
fish.

- `CTRL-T` - Paste the selected files and directories onto the command-line
    - Set `FZF_CTRL_T_COMMAND` to override the default command
    - Set `FZF_CTRL_T_OPTS` to pass additional options to fzf
      ```sh
      # Preview file content using bat (https://github.com/sharkdp/fd)
      export FZF_CTRL_T_OPTS="
        --preview 'bat -n --color=always {}'
        --bind 'ctrl-/:change-preview-window(down|hidden|)'"
      ```
- `CTRL-R` - Paste the selected command from history onto the command-line
    - If you want to see the commands in chronological order, press `CTRL-R`
      again which toggles sorting by relevance
    - Set `FZF_CTRL_R_OPTS` to pass additional options to fzf
      ```sh
      # CTRL-/ to toggle small preview window to see the full command
      # CTRL-Y to copy the command into clipboard using pbcopy
      export FZF_CTRL_R_OPTS="
        --preview 'echo {}' --preview-window up:3:hidden:wrap
        --bind 'ctrl-/:toggle-preview'
        --bind 'ctrl-y:execute-silent(echo -n {2..} | pbcopy)+abort'
        --color header:italic
        --header 'Press CTRL-Y to copy command into clipboard'"
      ```
- `ALT-C` - cd into the selected directory
    - Set `FZF_ALT_C_COMMAND` to override the default command
    - Set `FZF_ALT_C_OPTS` to pass additional options to fzf
      ```sh
      # Print tree structure in the preview window
      export FZF_ALT_C_OPTS="--preview 'tree -C {}'"
      ```

If you're on a tmux session, you can start fzf in a tmux split-pane or in
a tmux popup window by setting `FZF_TMUX_OPTS` (e.g. `-d 40%`).
See `fzf-tmux --help` for available options.

More tips can be found on [the wiki page](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/wiki/Configuring-shell-key-bindings).

Fuzzy completion for bash and zsh
---------------------------------

#### Files and directories

Fuzzy completion for files and directories can be triggered if the word before
the cursor ends with the trigger sequence, which is by default `**`.

- `COMMAND [DIRECTORY/][FUZZY_PATTERN]**<TAB>`

```sh
# Files under the current directory
# - You can select multiple items with TAB key
vim **<TAB>

# Files under parent directory
vim ../**<TAB>

# Files under parent directory that match `fzf`
vim ../fzf**<TAB>

# Files under your home directory
vim ~/**<TAB>


# Directories under current directory (single-selection)
cd **<TAB>

# Directories under ~/github that match `fzf`
cd ~/github/fzf**<TAB>
```

#### Process IDs

Fuzzy completion for PIDs is provided for kill command.

```sh
# Can select multiple processes with <TAB> or <Shift-TAB> keys
kill -9 **<TAB>
```

#### Host names

For ssh and telnet commands, fuzzy completion for hostnames is provided. The
names are extracted from /etc/hosts and ~/.ssh/config.

```sh
ssh **<TAB>
telnet **<TAB>
```

#### Environment variables / Aliases

```sh
unset **<TAB>
export **<TAB>
unalias **<TAB>
```

#### Settings

```sh
# Use ~~ as the trigger sequence instead of the default **
export FZF_COMPLETION_TRIGGER='~~'

# Options to fzf command
export FZF_COMPLETION_OPTS='--border --info=inline'

# Use fd (https://github.com/sharkdp/fd) instead of the default find
# command for listing path candidates.
# - The first argument to the function ($1) is the base path to start traversal
# - See the source code (completion.{bash,zsh}) for the details.
_fzf_compgen_path() {
  fd --hidden --follow --exclude ".git" . "$1"
}

# Use fd to generate the list for directory completion
_fzf_compgen_dir() {
  fd --type d --hidden --follow --exclude ".git" . "$1"
}

# Advanced customization of fzf options via _fzf_comprun function
# - The first argument to the function is the name of the command.
# - You should make sure to pass the rest of the arguments to fzf.
_fzf_comprun() {
  local command=$1
  shift

  case "$command" in
    cd)           fzf --preview 'tree -C {} | head -200'   "$@" ;;
    export|unset) fzf --preview "eval 'echo \$'{}"         "$@" ;;
    ssh)          fzf --preview 'dig {}'                   "$@" ;;
    *)            fzf --preview 'bat -n --color=always {}' "$@" ;;
  esac
}
```

#### Supported commands

On bash, fuzzy completion is enabled only for a predefined set of commands
(`complete | grep _fzf` to see the list). But you can enable it for other
commands as well by using `_fzf_setup_completion` helper function.

```sh
# usage: _fzf_setup_completion path|dir|var|alias|host COMMANDS...
_fzf_setup_completion path ag git kubectl
_fzf_setup_completion dir tree
```

#### Custom fuzzy completion

_**(Custom completion API is experimental and subject to change)**_

For a command named _"COMMAND"_, define `_fzf_complete_COMMAND` function using
`_fzf_complete` helper.

```sh
# Custom fuzzy completion for "doge" command
#   e.g. doge **<TAB>
_fzf_complete_doge() {
  _fzf_complete --multi --reverse --prompt="doge> " -- "$@" < <(
    echo very
    echo wow
    echo such
    echo doge
  )
}
```

- The arguments before `--` are the options to fzf.
- After `--`, simply pass the original completion arguments unchanged (`"$@"`).
- Then, write a set of commands that generates the completion candidates and
  feed its output to the function using process substitution (`< <(...)`).

zsh will automatically pick up the function using the naming convention but in
bash you have to manually associate the function with the command using the
`complete` command.

```sh
[ -n "$BASH" ] && complete -F _fzf_complete_doge -o default -o bashdefault doge
```

If you need to post-process the output from fzf, define
`_fzf_complete_COMMAND_post` as follows.

```sh
_fzf_complete_foo() {
  _fzf_complete --multi --reverse --header-lines=3 -- "$@" < <(
    ls -al
  )
}

_fzf_complete_foo_post() {
  awk '{print $NF}'
}

[ -n "$BASH" ] && complete -F _fzf_complete_foo -o default -o bashdefault foo
```

Vim plugin
----------

See [README-VIM.md](README-VIM.md).

Advanced topics
---------------

### Performance

fzf is fast. Performance should not be a problem in most use cases. However,
you might want to be aware of the options that can affect performance.

- `--ansi` tells fzf to extract and parse ANSI color codes in the input, and it
  makes the initial scanning slower. So it's not recommended that you add it
  to your `$FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS`.
- `--nth` makes fzf slower because it has to tokenize each line.
- `--with-nth` makes fzf slower as fzf has to tokenize and reassemble each
  line.

### Executing external programs

You can set up key bindings for starting external processes without leaving
fzf (`execute`, `execute-silent`).

```bash
# Press F1 to open the file with less without leaving fzf
# Press CTRL-Y to copy the line to clipboard and aborts fzf (requires pbcopy)
fzf --bind 'f1:execute(less -f {}),ctrl-y:execute-silent(echo {} | pbcopy)+abort'
```

See *KEY BINDINGS* section of the man page for details.

### Reloading the candidate list

By binding `reload` action to a key or an event, you can make fzf dynamically
reload the candidate list. See https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/issues/1750 for
more details.

#### 1. Update the list of processes by pressing CTRL-R

```sh
FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='ps -ef' \
  fzf --bind 'ctrl-r:reload(eval "$FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND")' \
      --header 'Press CTRL-R to reload' --header-lines=1 \
      --height=50% --layout=reverse
```

#### 2. Switch between sources by pressing CTRL-D or CTRL-F

```sh
FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='find . -type f' \
  fzf --bind 'ctrl-d:reload(find . -type d),ctrl-f:reload(eval "$FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND")' \
      --height=50% --layout=reverse
```

#### 3. Interactive ripgrep integration

The following example uses fzf as the selector interface for ripgrep. We bound
`reload` action to `change` event, so every time you type on fzf, the ripgrep
process will restart with the updated query string denoted by the placeholder
expression `{q}`. Also, note that we used `--disabled` option so that fzf
doesn't perform any secondary filtering.

```sh
INITIAL_QUERY=""
RG_PREFIX="rg --column --line-number --no-heading --color=always --smart-case "
FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND="$RG_PREFIX '$INITIAL_QUERY'" \
  fzf --bind "change:reload:$RG_PREFIX {q} || true" \
      --ansi --disabled --query "$INITIAL_QUERY" \
      --height=50% --layout=reverse
```

If ripgrep doesn't find any matches, it will exit with a non-zero exit status,
and fzf will warn you about it. To suppress the warning message, we added
`|| true` to the command, so that it always exits with 0.

See ["Using fzf as interactive Ripgrep launcher"](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/blob/master/ADVANCED.md#using-fzf-as-interactive-ripgrep-launcher)
for a fuller example with preview window options.

### Preview window

When the `--preview` option is set, fzf automatically starts an external process
with the current line as the argument and shows the result in the split window.
Your `$SHELL` is used to execute the command with `$SHELL -c COMMAND`.
The window can be scrolled using the mouse or custom key bindings.

```bash
# {} is replaced with the single-quoted string of the focused line
fzf --preview 'cat {}'
```

Preview window supports ANSI colors, so you can use any program that
syntax-highlights the content of a file, such as
[Bat](https://github.com/sharkdp/bat) or
[Highlight](http://www.andre-simon.de/doku/highlight/en/highlight.php):

```bash
fzf --preview 'bat --color=always {}' --preview-window '~3'
```

You can customize the size, position, and border of the preview window using
`--preview-window` option, and the foreground and background color of it with
`--color` option. For example,

```bash
fzf --height 40% --layout reverse --info inline --border \
    --preview 'file {}' --preview-window up,1,border-horizontal \
    --bind 'ctrl-/:change-preview-window(50%|hidden|)' \
    --color 'fg:#bbccdd,fg+:#ddeeff,bg:#334455,preview-bg:#223344,border:#778899'
```

See the man page (`man fzf`) for the full list of options.

More advanced examples can be found [here](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/blob/master/ADVANCED.md).

----

Since fzf is a general-purpose text filter rather than a file finder, **it is
not a good idea to add `--preview` option to your `$FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS`**.

```sh
# *********************
# ** DO NOT DO THIS! **
# *********************
export FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS='--preview "bat --style=numbers --color=always --line-range :500 {}"'

# bat doesn't work with any input other than the list of files
ps -ef | fzf
seq 100 | fzf
history | fzf
```

Tips
----

#### Respecting `.gitignore`

You can use [fd](https://github.com/sharkdp/fd),
[ripgrep](https://github.com/BurntSushi/ripgrep), or [the silver
searcher](https://github.com/ggreer/the_silver_searcher) instead of the
default find command to traverse the file system while respecting
`.gitignore`.

```sh
# Feed the output of fd into fzf
fd --type f --strip-cwd-prefix | fzf

# Setting fd as the default source for fzf
export FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='fd --type f --strip-cwd-prefix'

# Now fzf (w/o pipe) will use fd instead of find
fzf

# To apply the command to CTRL-T as well
export FZF_CTRL_T_COMMAND="$FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND"
```

If you want the command to follow symbolic links and don't want it to exclude
hidden files, use the following command:

```sh
export FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='fd --type f --strip-cwd-prefix --hidden --follow --exclude .git'
```

#### Fish shell

`CTRL-T` key binding of fish, unlike those of bash and zsh, will use the last
token on the command-line as the root directory for the recursive search. For
instance, hitting `CTRL-T` at the end of the following command-line

```sh
ls /var/
```

will list all files and directories under `/var/`.

When using a custom `FZF_CTRL_T_COMMAND`, use the unexpanded `$dir` variable to
make use of this feature. `$dir` defaults to `.` when the last token is not a
valid directory. Example:

```sh
set -g FZF_CTRL_T_COMMAND "command find -L \$dir -type f 2> /dev/null | sed '1d; s#^\./##'"
```

Related projects
----------------

https://github.com/junegunn/fzf/wiki/Related-projects

[License](LICENSE)
------------------

The MIT License (MIT)

Copyright (c) 2013-2023 Junegunn Choi