Fzy

Fzy is a lightweight, command-line fuzzy finder used to select items from a list. It reads lines from standard input and presents an interactive, filtered view as the user types, allowing rapid navigation to a desired entry. The tool ranks candidates with a fuzzy scoring algorithm that rewards matches that align with the query while preserving the order of characters. Fzy is commonly utilized in shell workflows by piping output from commands, files, or scripts into the program; the chosen item is then written to standard output for use in the surrounding shell or automation.

Fzy is designed to be small and fast, with a minimal set of dependencies and a straightforward interface. Typical interactions include typing to refine the list, using keyboard navigation to move through results, and pressing a selection key to emit the chosen line. Some variants provide options for case sensitivity, prompt customization, or multi-selection, though features may vary by release.

Influence: Fzy contributed to the popularity of interactive fuzzy finding in command-line tools. It helped lay the groundwork for more feature-rich successors and inspired other projects that integrate fuzzy search into shells, editors, and workflows.