z is a shell script that maintains a jump-list of the directories you actually use. It tracks your most used directories, based on ‘frecency’. Frecency is any heuristic that combines the frequency and recency into a single measure. In other words, it is the idea of blending frequency (the amount of time you spend in a directory) with recentness (how recently you were in a directory).
After a short learning phase, z will take you to the most ‘frecent’ directory that matches ALL of the regexes given on the command line, in order. Frecency is a portmanteau of ‘recent’ and ‘frequency’. It is a weighted rank that depends on how often and how recently something occurred.
It is released under an open source license. It is not intended as a substitute for the cd command.
Key Features
- Option to restrict matches to subdirectories of the current directory.
- Option to match by rank only.
- Option to match by recent access only.
- Remove the current directory from the data file.
- Support for tab completion.
Website: github.com/rupa/z
Support: Wiki
Developer: Rupa Deadwyler
License: WTFPL license
Related Software
| Shell tools | |
|---|---|
| fzf | Command-line fuzzy finder for your shell |
| zoxide | Smarter cd command, inspired by z and autojump |
| broot | Reviewed under our Excellent Utilities series |
| McFly | Also reviewed under our Excellent Utilities series |
| z | Maintains a jump-list of the directories you actually use |
| autojump | Offers a fast way to navigate your filesystem |
| z.lua | Helps you navigate faster by learning your habits |
| HSTR | Bash and zsh shell history suggest box |
| enhancd | Next-generation cd command |
| fzy | Simple, fast fuzzy finder for the terminal |
| Navita | Rapid directory traversal |
| Jump | Quick and fuzzy directory jumper |
| walk | Simple and minimalistic terminal navigator |
| lacy | cd alternative that makes navigating much more efficient |
| DF-SHOW | Directory File Show |
| fz | Adds fuzzy search to tab completion of z |
| v | z for vim |
| pazi | Fast autojump helper |
| jumper | Files/directories jumper |
| cdhist | Linux shell cd history directory stack |
| icd | Shell utility that makes changing directories quicker and more convenient |
| fasd | Command-line productivity booster. It seeks inspiration from autojump, z and v |
| kn | Navigate folders quickly |
| Dongle | Move around deep directory trees |
| cdwe | cd with env vars |
| slingshot | Lightweight tool to browse files in the terminal |
| ff | Manage favourite folders |
| fastdiract | Quick shell navigation and command execution |
| zm | cd for lazy people |
| qcd | Quickly change directory |
| pm | Switch between projects |
| nav | Quickly navigate through directories |
| menucd | Directory browser and changer |
| jmp | The superior cd |
| gump | Smarter cd command |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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