Introduction to navi
navi is an innovative, interactive cheatsheet tool designed for ease of use in the command-line environment. The tool allows users to browse through a collection of cheatsheets, which can either be created by the users themselves or downloaded from the tool's maintainers. Additionally, navi provides dynamic suggestions for command arguments, making it easier for users to execute commands efficiently.
Key Benefits
navi offers several advantages that greatly enhance the user experience for those working in the command line:
- No Need for Memory: Users are relieved from the pressure of memorizing various command-line instructions.
- Efficiency Enhancement: It eliminates the hassle of copying and pasting output from intermediate commands, reducing overall typing effort.
- Learning Tool: Users can learn new command-line techniques and one-liners effortlessly.
Utilizing technologies like fzf, skim, or Alfred, navi can be seamlessly integrated as a command or a shell widget, similar to using Ctrl-R in a terminal session.
Installation
The preferred method of installing navi is using the Homebrew package manager:
brew install navi
If Homebrew is not available, alternative installation methods can be explored.
Usage
navi is versatile and can be used in several ways:
- Direct Command: By executing
navidirectly in the terminal, users gain access to all possible subcommands and flags. - Shell Widget: Installed as a shell widget, navi enhances the shell history with the actual commands used instead of the
navicommand, allowing for pre-execution edits. - Tmux Widget: This allows quick access to cheatsheets in any command-line application, even during SSH sessions.
- Alias Creation: Users can set up command aliases for frequent use.
- Shell Scripting Tool: It can be utilized as a tool for scripting within a shell.
- Alfred Workflow: For users of Alfred on macOS, navi can integrate as a workflow.
Managing Cheatsheets
On first use, navi guides users through downloading and managing their cheatsheets, which are stored defaultly at ~/.local/share/navi/cheats/. Users can:
- Browse through or import featured cheatsheets from repositories.
- Write and even share their own customized cheatsheets.
- Use cheatsheets from other utilities like tldr and cheat.sh.
- Set up automatic updates for cheatsheet repositories.
- Export cheatsheets directly from their TiddlyWiki notes through a plugin.
Customization Options
Users can personalize navi to suit their preferences:
- Configure custom paths for configuration files and cheatsheets.
- Alter the color scheme.
- Adjust column sizes.
- Customize the search feature.
Additional Information
For an exhaustive list of options and command details, users are encouraged to run:
navi --help
Further documentation is available in the /docs folder within the navi repository.
Similar Tools
While there are many similar tools in the market such as cheat and howdoi, navi stands out because it allows for easy creation of customized cheatsheets and dynamic argument suggestions that are more than just placeholders.
Etymology
The name "navi" is inspired by a character from the video game "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," known for offering clues to the protagonist, Link, aiding him in overcoming challenges throughout his journey.
In summary, navi is an exceptional tool that enhances the command-line experience by providing easy access to a wealth of commands and instructions, customized to the user's specific needs.