fzf Power Tips

Teach the user how to get the most out of fzf (fuzzy finder).

Before You Start

Check if fzf is installed:

bash

which fzf && echo "fzf: installed" || echo "fzf: NOT installed - run 'brew install fzf'"

If not installed:

bash

brew install fzf
$(brew --prefix)/opt/fzf/install  # Install shell integrations

Part 1: The Basics

Say: "fzf is a fuzzy finder - it lets you search through anything interactively."

Try it:

bash

ls | fzf

Say: "Type to filter, use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to select."

Part 2: History Search (Game Changer)

Say: "This is the most useful fzf feature. Press:"

Ctrl + R

Say: "Now you can fuzzy search your entire command history. Try typing part of a command you've run before."

Ask: "Did you find an old command? Press Enter to run it or Ctrl+C to cancel."

Part 3: File Search

Say: "Quickly find and insert file paths. Press:"

Ctrl + T

Say: "This searches all files in the current directory. Select one and it gets inserted into your command."

Example:

bash

cat <Ctrl+T>  # Then search for a file

Ask: "Try it - type cat then press Ctrl+T to find a file."

Part 4: Directory Jump

Say: "Change to any subdirectory instantly. Press:"

Alt + C (or Esc then C on Mac)

Say: "This searches directories and cd's into the one you select."

Ask: "Try jumping to a nested directory."

Part 5: Preview Mode

Say: "You can preview file contents while searching:"

bash

fzf --preview 'bat --color=always {}'

Say: "This shows a syntax-highlighted preview of each file as you navigate."

Part 6: Piping to fzf

Say: "fzf works with any input. Some useful examples:"

Search git branches:

bash

git branch | fzf | xargs git checkout

Search processes to kill:

bash

ps aux | fzf | awk '{print $2}' | xargs kill

Search and open in editor:

bash

fzf | xargs code  # or nvim

Part 7: Pro Tips

Say: "Some advanced tricks:"

Multi-select with Tab:

•Press Tab to select multiple items
•Shift+Tab to deselect
•Enter to confirm all selections

Exact match:

•Prefix with ' for exact match: 'exact
•Prefix with ^ to match start: ^start
•Suffix with $ to match end: end$
•Use ! to negate: !exclude

Quick Reference

code

Ctrl + R     Search command history
Ctrl + T     Search files, insert path
Alt + C      Search directories, cd into selection

In fzf:
  Tab        Multi-select
  Ctrl+J/K   Move down/up (vim-style)
  Enter      Confirm selection
  Ctrl+C     Cancel

Search syntax:
  'word      Exact match
  ^word      Starts with
  word$      Ends with
  !word      Does not contain

Wrap Up

Say: "The key shortcuts to remember:"

•Ctrl+R for history (use this constantly)
•Ctrl+T for finding files
•Tab for multi-select

Ask: "Want to practice any of these?"