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

peco is an interactive filtering tool that allows users to filter inputs interactively. It provides a way to quickly filter and select items from a list, making it a useful tool for various scenarios.

Use case 1: Start peco on all files in the specified directory

Code:

find path/to/directory -type f | peco

Motivation: Sometimes, when working with a large number of files in a directory, it becomes challenging to locate a specific file. By piping the output of the find command to peco, users can interactively search and select the desired file, improving the overall efficiency of file navigation.

Explanation:

• find path/to/directory: This command lists all the files in the specified directory and its subdirectories.
• -type f: This option specifies that only regular files should be listed.
• | peco: The | character is the pipe symbol, which redirects the output of the find command into peco for interactive filtering.

Example output: When running the command find path/to/directory -type f | peco, peco will display an interactive list of files in the specified directory. Users can search for a file by typing a query, and peco will filter the list accordingly.

Use case 2: Start peco for running processes

Code:

ps aux | peco

Motivation: Often, when managing running processes, it can be challenging to quickly locate and select a specific process from a long list. By piping the output of the ps aux command to peco, users can interactively search and select the desired process, simplifying the process management workflow.

Explanation:

• ps aux: This command lists all currently running processes.
• | peco: The pipe symbol | redirects the output of the ps aux command into peco for interactive filtering.

Example output: When executing the command ps aux | peco, peco will display a filtered list of running processes. Users can search for a process by typing a query, and peco will update the list accordingly.

Use case 3: Start peco with a specified query

Code:

peco --query "query"

Motivation: In some cases, users may already know the query they want to search for, and there is no need to interactively type it. By specifying the query directly through the --query option, users can start peco with the desired input pre-filled.

Explanation:

• --query "query": This option allows users to specify a predefined query for peco.

Example output: Executing the command peco --query "example" will start peco with the query “example” already filled in. The interactive list will display items matching the specified query.

Conclusion:

The peco command is a powerful interactive filtering tool that greatly simplifies tasks that involve interactive search and selection. Whether it’s filtering files in a directory, managing running processes, or starting with a specific query, peco enhances efficiency by making it easier to locate and select desired items. By leveraging its capabilities, users can streamline their workflows and improve productivity.