A command-line fuzzy file finder that executes commands on selected files, inspired by editor plugins like Helm and CtrlP.
hf (happyfinder) is a terminal-based fuzzy file finder that enables users to quickly locate files and execute commands on them. It brings the fast, intuitive file matching experience of text editor plugins like Helm, CtrlP, and Sublime to the command line, with cross-platform support including Windows.
Command-line users, especially developers and system administrators working across Unix-like systems and Windows, who need an interactive tool for finding files and performing batch operations.
Developers choose hf for its unified, interactive terminal UI that reimplements file search to ensure consistent behavior across platforms, unlike Unix-philosophy tools that rely on external find utilities. It offers built-in Git integration and simplifies command execution with variable substitution.
(another) Fuzzy file finder for the command line
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Uses algorithms similar to Sublime Text and ido, providing a fast and familiar search experience directly in the terminal, as highlighted in the README's comparison to text editor plugins.
Offers a -git flag and dedicated hfg binary for efficient searching within Git repositories, simplifying workflows for version-controlled projects without extra configuration.
Reimplements file search to ensure uniform behavior across Unix and Windows, specifically addressing Windows' lack of command aliases with built-in options like -cmd.
Supports variable substitution (e.g., $FILES) and allows editing commands within the interface, enabling batch operations on selected files via keyboard shortcuts.
By not relying on external find utilities, hf may have slower performance or less optimized searching on large directories compared to tools that leverage system commands, as acknowledged in the README's philosophical difference.
The project is more standalone with fewer integrations and plugins, unlike fzf which has a rich community and extensive third-party support, potentially limiting advanced use cases.
While cross-platform, the focus on Windows compatibility might mean less attention to Unix shell optimizations or features common in other fuzzy finders, such as seamless piping or advanced filtering.