How to use the command 'fisher' (with examples)

Fisher is a robust plugin manager designed specifically for the fish shell. It greatly simplifies the process of installing, updating, and managing plugins to enhance the functionality and appearance of your fish shell. Fisher can install plugins directly from a name, URL, or a specified filename known as ‘fishfile’, making it a versatile tool for fish shell users looking to customize their environment effortlessly.

Use case 1: Install one or more plugins

Code:

fisher plugin1 plugin2

Motivation:

Installing plugins is one of the primary functions of a plugin manager like Fisher. Plugins enhance the capabilities of the fish shell by adding new features or settings. This command allows you to quickly and easily install multiple plugins in a single line, saving time and improving your workflow efficiency.

Explanation:

• fisher: This is the command to invoke the Fisher plugin manager.
• plugin1, plugin2: These are placeholders for the names of the plugins you wish to install. When running the command, you should replace these placeholders with the actual names of the desired plugins.

Example Output:

Fetching plugin1
Fetching plugin2
Linking plugin1
Linking plugin2

Use case 2: Install a plugin from a GitHub gist

Code:

fisher gist_url

Motivation:

Sometimes the plugin you want isn’t available from a standard repository or might be a personal or temporary solution that a developer shared via GitHub Gist. Installing directly from a gist URL allows you to access these unique or custom plugins easily.

Explanation:

• fisher: This is the command used to call the Fisher plugin manager.
• gist_url: Replace this with the actual URL of the GitHub Gist where the plugin is hosted. Gist URLs typically come in the format of https://gist.github.com/<user>/<gist-id>.

Example Output:

Fetching gist ...
Linking gist ...

Use case 3: Edit ‘fishfile’ manually with your favorite editor and install multiple plugins

Code:

editor ~/.config/fish/fishfile; fisher

Motivation:

Having multiple plugins can sometimes necessitate batch installations. By manually editing the ‘fishfile’, you can list all the plugins you intend to install in a single location, which Fisher will then process to install all at once. This approach is efficient for setting up new environments or switching between setups.

Explanation:

• editor: Replace ’editor’ with your preferred text editor command, such as nano, vim, or code.
• ~/.config/fish/fishfile: This path points to the fishfile within your configuration directory where you can list the desired plugins.
• fisher: After you’ve saved your changes in the editor, use Fisher to parse the fishfile and install the listed plugins.

Example Output:

Reading fishfile
Fetching plugin1
Fetching plugin3
Linking plugin1
Linking plugin3

Use case 4: List installed plugins

Code:

fisher ls

Motivation:

It’s crucial to be aware of which plugins are currently installed, especially when managing your setup or troubleshooting any issues. This command provides a quick overview of all installed plugins, helping you keep track of your environment’s configuration.

Explanation:

• fisher: Calls the Fisher plugin manager.
• ls: An abbreviation for ’list’, this argument instructs Fisher to display all installed plugins.

Example Output:

plugin1
plugin2
plugin3

Use case 5: Update plugins

Code:

fisher update

Motivation:

Keeping plugins up to date ensures you benefit from the latest features, improvements, and security patches provided by plugin developers. This command automates the process, ensuring all your installed plugins are at their newest versions, minimizing potential issues from outdated software.

Explanation:

• fisher: Calls the Fisher plugin manager.
• update: This argument directs Fisher to refresh all installed plugins to their latest versions available.

Example Output:

Updating plugin1
plugin1 is up to date
Updating plugin2
Successfully installed latest version of plugin2

Use case 6: Remove one or more plugins

Code:

fisher remove plugin1 plugin2

Motivation:

Over time, you might find certain plugins unnecessary or in conflict with others. Removing them helps streamline your setup and avoid potential conflicts. This command provides a straightforward way to declutter by removing one or multiple plugins efficiently.

Explanation:

• fisher: Initiates the Fisher plugin manager.
• remove: This argument specifies the action of removing plugins.
• plugin1, plugin2: These are placeholders for the plugin names you wish to uninstall. Replace them with the actual plugin names.

Example Output:

Unlinking plugin1
Unlinking plugin2

Conclusion:

Fisher serves as an indispensable tool for managing fish shell plugins, enabling users to customize their shell environments with ease. Whether you’re adding new functionalities, keeping them updated, or removing the ones you no longer need, Fisher provides a suite of commands to efficiently manage your plugins, ensuring a smooth and personalized shell experience.