How to use the command `scd` (with examples)

scd is a file manager focused on shell integration. It allows users to navigate directories and perform various actions efficiently from the command line. With scd, users can index paths, change directories, create aliases, and more.

Use case 1: Index paths recursively for the very first run

Code:

scd -ar path/to/directory

Motivation: Indexing paths recursively is useful when you want to populate the scd database with all the directories and files within a specific directory and its subdirectories. This allows for quicker navigation and searching in the future.

Explanation:

• -a flag: Ensures that all paths in the given directory are indexed.
• -r flag: Recursively indexes all paths in the directory, including subdirectories.

Example output:

Indexing paths recursively in path/to/directory...
Paths indexed: 150

Use case 2: Change to a specific directory

Code:

scd path/to/directory

Motivation: Changing directories is a common task when navigating the file system. With scd, you can change to a specific directory with just a single command, saving time and effort.

Explanation:

• path/to/directory: The path to the directory you want to change to.

Example output:

Directory changed to /path/to/directory

Use case 3: Change to a path matching specific patterns

Code:

scd "pattern1 pattern2 ..."

Motivation: Sometimes, you may have multiple directories with similar names or patterns. Instead of typing out the full path, you can use patterns to quickly navigate to the desired directory.

Explanation:

• "pattern1 pattern2 ...": A space-separated list of patterns to match against directory names.

Example output:

Multiple directories found matching the patterns:

1. /path/to/directory1
2. /path/to/directory2
3. /path/to/directory3

Enter the number corresponding to the directory you want to navigate to:

Use case 4: Show selection menu and ranking of 20 most likely directories

Code:

scd -v

Motivation: When you are unsure of the exact directory name or want to see a list of possible options, using the -v flag will display a selection menu with the 20 most likely directories based on your usage history.

Explanation:

• -v flag: Enables the selection menu and ranking of the most likely directories.

Example output:

Selection Menu:

1. /path/to/directory1
2. /path/to/directory2
3. /path/to/directory3
4. ...

Enter the number corresponding to the directory you want to navigate to:

Use case 5: Add a specific alias for the current directory

Code:

scd --alias=word

Motivation: scd allows you to create aliases for directories, making it easier to navigate to frequently accessed paths. You can assign a meaningful alias to the current directory for quick access in the future.

Explanation:

• --alias=word: Assigns the given word as an alias for the current directory.

Example output:

Alias "word" assigned for the current directory.

Use case 6: Change to a directory using a specific alias

Code:

scd word

Motivation: After creating an alias for a directory, you can quickly navigate to it by using the assigned alias instead of the full path. This simplifies the process of accessing frequently visited directories.

Explanation:

• word: The alias assigned to the directory you want to navigate to.

Example output:

Directory changed to /path/to/directory (alias "word")

Conclusion:

scd is a powerful command-line tool that enhances the file management experience. By providing features like indexing, alias creation, and pattern matching, it offers efficient and seamless directory navigation. Whether you need to quickly switch between directories or access frequently used paths, scd simplifies the process and saves time. Give it a try and experience the convenience it brings to your shell integration.