z.lua
A command-line directory jumper written in Lua that learns which folders you use most.
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About z.lua
z.lua is a replacement for typing long cd paths. It tracks the directories you visit and ranks them by frecency, a mix of how often and how recently you used them. After a short learning phase you can jump to a folder by typing part of its name.
It is described as an alternative to z.sh, with support for Windows as well as POSIX shells. The repository includes scripts for Zsh, fish and the Windows command prompt, plus an integration for the ranger file manager.
Strengths
- Jumps to frequently used directories with partial names
- Works on Windows and POSIX shells
- Includes a ranger integration
Limitations
- Needs a Lua interpreter
- Needs a learning period before suggestions are useful
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree to use, with source published on GitHub.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- skywind3000
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Shell users who move between the same project folders all day
- Categories
- CLI tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to z.lua
Compare allSoftware that can replace z.lua for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
zoxide
Learns the directories you actually use, so changing to one takes a few letters instead of a full path.
zoxide is a single binary that needs no Lua interpreter, supports Bash, Zsh, Fish, Nushell, PowerShell and Elvish, and offers optional fzf integration for choosing matches.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
tere
Move between directories with an interactive terminal browser.
Walk
A minimal terminal file navigator that replaces cd and ls for browsing directories.
fzf
A fuzzy filter for any list: files, command history, processes, branches, anything you can pipe into it.
lf
A fast terminal file manager in the ranger style, as a single binary with no runtime dependencies.
Joshuto
A ranger-like terminal file manager written in Rust with Miller-column navigation.
