fzf CLI
An interactive terminal finder selects files, history commands and entries from long lists by matching parts of their names.
- 84,034 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The finder reads lines; configured previews and actions can run commands under the user’s permissions.
Install
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add cli/fzfDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The finder reads lines; configured previews and actions can run commands under the user’s permissions.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
fzf turns a stream of lines into an interactive searchable list. The user types part of a name, selects a match and passes it to another command. Without input, it walks the current directory and lists files. Fuzzy matching helps locate an entry from a few remembered characters. Exact matching and prefix or suffix conditions provide more precise selection. Shell integration adds command-history selection, while a preview pane can display the selected file.
Who it is for. Command-line users repeatedly selecting a file or past command from a long list.
Good fit when
- You need a file among hundreds of paths but remember only part of its name.
- A long command needs retrieving from history into the input line.
- A shell script needs a person to select one or several entries.
- You want to preview a file before opening it.
Not a fit when
- The automation cannot accommodate interactive selection.
- You need semantic document search without preparing input lines.
- You want a graphical file manager with document editing.
Example request
Prepare an fzf file picker for this project with a preview. Show configuration commands before changing my shell.Limitations
The normal launch opens an interactive interface, so unattended scripts need another selection strategy. Search operates on supplied lines; file contents are searchable only when a separate source command provides them. Shell key bindings require integration setup beyond installing the binary. Preview panes and bound actions can execute external commands, so review copied configuration before applying it.
How to disable. Press Escape to leave the picker and remove fzf integration lines from shell configuration when disabling its bindings.
FAQ
What happens without an input list?
fzf walks the current directory and lists files. Check the working directory first.
How do I select multiple rows?
Enable `-m` and mark rows with Tab or Shift-Tab. Check how the receiving command handles multiple values.
Can I use exact matching?
Yes. Use `--exact` or exact-query syntax when fuzzy matching returns too many candidates.
Where does the result go?
The selected entry is written to standard output for saving or passing to another tool.
How do I leave without selecting?
Press Escape, Ctrl-C or Ctrl-G. Do not execute the next action when selection was cancelled.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fzf (this card) | no | 84,034 | ||
| Desktop Commander MCP | no | not required | 10,234 | fzf offers human-driven line selection; Desktop Commander exposes file search and terminal operations to an agent through MCP. |
| Television | no | 6,407 | Terminal fuzzy search helps users select files, text and repositories before passing an exact path or snippet to an agent. |
README in short
fzf ships as one binary. Dedicated integrations cover several shells and the Vim and Neovim editors.