Option for retain_last_search to include arguments

[syserr0r]

I frequently open multiple PuTTY sessions to the same host and when using launchy it would remember the whole command (ssh 127.0.0.1) so all I needed to do was press Enter; with Keypirinha it only remembers the command not the arguments (ssh) so I need to enter the full host again.

It would be great if Keypirinha had an option to remember the arguments too (as far as I can tell this does not currently exist)!

[polyvertex]

By command, you mean the remote command that is to be launched by the SSH server once connected, or the command line used to launch PuTTY itself?

[syserr0r]

I mean the command line launched to use PuTTY itself.

For example, I might open an ssh session to 192.168.1.1:

1. [Keypirinha hotkey]
2. ssh
3. [tab]
4. 192.168.1.1
5. [enter]

Then if I want to open another PuTTY session to 192.168.1.1 (for tailing a log or something) I would want to just:

1. [Keypirinha hotkey] (showing ssh 192.168.1.1 as the last command)
2. [enter]

At the moment I have to:

1. [Keypirinha hotkey] (showing ssh as the last command)
2. [tab]
3. 192.168.1.1
4. [enter]

[polyvertex]

Keypirinha's PuTTY plugin allows you to do just that. Just ensure it is enabled (it is by default) and properly configured. It will then automatically detect the PuTTY sessions you have configured and add one item for each to KP's catalog (named like PuTTY: My Session Name, depending on the PuTTY flavor you have installed).

[syserr0r]

I'm using the PuTTY plugin (with a different label). I am not using sessions, hence why I am looking to have not just the last command remembered but the arguments too. This could apply to running any application with arguments, not just PuTTY

[polyvertex]

Then just rely on the Apps plugin. Ensure your PuTTY executable is included by referencing its path to your system's PATH or by adding it to the extra_paths setting of the Apps plugin. Then launch PuTTY with the desired args. Your args will be kept in history so a new PuTTY item will be visible at search time with those args.

[syserr0r]

I already have history for PuTTY sessions, having to hunt for the session in a list isn't what I'm looking for (especially since it isn't in 'most recent' order), I just want to be able to hit my Keypirinha shortcut and hit ENTER and have it run the last thing I did.

Is the source to Keypirinha avaiable somewhere, it sounds like a simple change?

[polyvertex]

You do not have to "hunt" for the item with the args, just use the appropriate search term or associate a keyword to the desired item. I suggest you read carefully at least this part of the documentation.

[syserr0r]

The argument is not pre-populated, therfore I have to find it (hence "hunt"). Testing this just now shows I need to enter enough of the argument for it to appear and then use the arrow keys to highlight it (in which case I might as well re-type the whole argument).

To elaborate, after running: ssh foobar-db.example.com and launching Keypirinha again (which now has ssh) I need to type foobar to narrow the results down to even have the correct entry appear, then press the down arrow key twice to get to ssh foobar-db.example.com (from a list of ssh foo, ssh foobar.example.com, ssh foobar-db.example.com and foobar.other.example.com).

This means:

• I need to type a command that I had just typed (even with the windows built in Win + R run box I can just press enter to run the last command I typed)
  • Involves typing a long hostname I just typed (slow/error prone due to typos)

or

• I need to type enough of the command for it to appear and highlight it
  • Invoves typing enough to choose a historical command and selecting it (needs my explicit attention to find the right command/error prone due to typos or selecting the wrong entry)

The benefit to me of having the last command pre-populated is that:

• There is no chance of errors from either selecting the wrong entry or mis-keying
• It is incredibly fast as all that is needed is to launch Keypirinha and press enter
• Because of the above, it does not require my focus so I can re-run a command while still focusing on another screen or task

Is there anything more I can do or explain to help?
If this isn't something you're willing or able to implement then I probably ought to stop here.

[syserr0r]

To add, I deal with a large number of similar (but different) commands that change frequently, so making a keyword for each one isn't practical.

[polyvertex]

If this isn't something you're willing or able to implement then I probably ought to stop here.

No it's just that I fail to see what more could be implemented here. KP already offers what you asked but in different ways than what you are used to have with Launchy or Win+R:

• If you want to launch the last executed item, access the history by pressing Down (or Ctrl+Down in your case since you seem to have enabled the retain_last_search option)
• If you want to launch a specific item (for example, because you know that this is not the very last executed item you want to launch this time), using your example above, typing sshfoo for example would very probably narrow down the possibilities to something acceptable

Those two cases work regardless of the presence of arguments. Also, both can be achieved with pretty much the same number of keystrokes as long as you manage to use the right search term to differentiate them.

Now, if you feel like you would have to use the Ctrl+Down feature a lot, what I can do is to add a special hotkey that would launch KP with the history list shown directly so to eliminate the Ctrl+Down step. That, plus the two cases above, should cover your needs.

If every solution I offered so far does not fit because you think your use case is too extreme (... large number of similar (but different) commands that change frequently ...), I would probably suggest you to change/adapt that part of your workflow in order to automatize it in a different way. Either by creating a dedicated Keypirinha plugin, or by creating your own set of specialized trampoline scripts.

[syserr0r]

That was helpful, I was not aware of the Ctrl+Down option to access history.

While not ideal, it could work if I could tweak it a bit:

• Is there any way to make the default behaviour to populate the last executed item/first item in history?
• If not, is there any way to change/customize Ctrl+Down to a key combintation that doesn't require moving my right hand to the arrow keys?

This still feels like an awkward way of aproaching what I am trying to achieve, part of the benefit is being able to alter the last command only slightly (or fix a typo).

For example, with my proposed modification, if I launch KP and run ssh very.long.subdomain.example.con (after dismissing the error from being unable to resolve the domain) I could launch KP, and correct it in a couple of key strokes [press Right or End followed by Backspace and m to correct the typo] instead of re-typing the whole domain.

Alternatively, if I launch KP and run command --arg=foo --arg2=bar c:\path\to\folderA I could then launch KP and change it to command --arg=foo --arg2=bar c:\path\to\folderB in 3 key-presses.

It seems like adding an option to keep the last arguments as well as the last command would be a simple change, is there a reason you're averse to this? Is it difficult change, not something you want to implement or something else?

If it is something I can achieve with a plugin I will certainly try, but I was under the impression I wouldn't be able to do this in a plugin.

[polyvertex]

Is there any way to make the default behaviour to populate the last executed item/first item in history?

This is the default and only behavior of the history list ATM. Last executed items come first in the list.

This still feels like an awkward way of aproaching what I am trying to achieve, part of the benefit is being able to alter the last command only slightly (or fix a typo). ...

It is already possible to alter the args of an item by searching for it, either in normal mode or in history mode, then press Tab. KP will then offer you to edit item's args, if any, or to append some.

Really I fail to see what change there is to be done here. Everything you asked so far is already doable in KP (and documented) except the special feature to launch KP in history mode directly, that I mentioned in my previous comment, and that I'm willing to implement if needed.

[syserr0r]

My problem with KP cannot be fixed by any work-around provided, it can only be solved by populating the LaunchBox with the previous command in full, including command line arguments (or replacing me with someone else, but then it wouldn't be my problem...)

To say this problem does not exist, is not important or can be solved by another (longer) way is ignoring my very real problem.

I do not understand why this feature is unacceptable while in #219 you are happy to add a seemingly similarly trivial feature (other than that is a plugin while this is core app).

From #219:

Ok, I see no cons of adding this option. It will very probably be available in the next release.

---

I am saddened by this as it is probably the only remaining feature of KP that is missing for my use (that I cannot add myself via a plugin) and am reluctant to switch to another package (such as Wox or Executor; most launchers have this feature) as I would be giving up on some niceties that KP has; however I don't have much choice.

I wish I had some idea as to what the objection was -- it seems you are aruging that this feature already exists? Or am I expected to make some financial contribution? Do I need to contibute some new plugins to be taken seriously?

I also wish this project was open-source so I could make the change required without miscommunicating further (is it closed-source with any particular reason, such as monetization further down the line?)

Please help me understand the rationale even if you're unwilling to make the change.

[polyvertex]

My problem with KP cannot be fixed by any work-around provided, it can only be solved by populating the LaunchBox with the previous command in full

Again, there is the history mode for that already. And I offered you to implement a hotkey_history setting to have direct access to it. An offer that you have ignored by asking for that very feature the next comment (is there any way to change/customize Ctrl+Down to a key combintation that doesn't require moving my right hand to the arrow keys).

• You want to launch PuTTY sessions but for some reason, the official and generic PuTTY plugin does fit (no pun intended)

Nothing prevents you to roll your own plugin. But as I already suggested, I would first try to learn about the tool I use instead of arguing by making incorrect statements, and by doing so, demonstrating you haven't even tried the existing features.

Keypirinha is very much perfectible and as a matter of fact, this project has shown itself to be very open to suggestions. But it is also based on strong design choices that makes it quite different than Launchy, Wox or Executor you mentioned. It is very probably why it will never be as popular as a launcher like the so heavy and buggy Wox. I appreciate you took time to insist on your initial (biased) idea while trying to remain polite. In turn, I tried to emphasize you didn't grasp how to use this tool yet (you made that obvious really).

[syserr0r]

Apologies, I realize I may have overlooked a way this could work. I didn't want to have two bindings, one for bringing up KP normally and one for the last command, however if I don't bind the normal KP launch key and instead bind your proposed hotkey_history that would have the desired effect of always opening the last command would it not?

[polyvertex]

You will be able to bind your current hotkey_run value to hotkey_history and make hotkey_run blank if that is what you mean. It probably makes sense if you use the history mode more often than the normal search mode, considering you can always go back to normal mode by pressing Esc (or Backspace or Alt+Left).

Just to clarify, the new hotkey_history setting would bring you KP with the "History" list directly. Then it will be the same steps than now: to execute the last executed item, you would just have to press Enter. To edit its args first (the command line in your case), press Tab.

Considering the initial issue and the workflow you described vs. the current design, this is as close as it can get. Would that be an acceptable solution to the initial issue?

[syserr0r]

Just to clarify, the new hotkey_history setting would bring you KP with the "History" list directly. Then it will be the same steps than now: to execute the last executed item, you would just have to press Enter. To edit its args first (the command line in your case), press Tab.

This sounds like almost exactly what I am looking for. When in the history, it doesn't allow me to enter a new command (as if I wasn't in history mode). Is there a solution to this?

The goal is to be able to perform one of 3 things after launching KP with a hotkey (and the hotkey_history would achieve the first two):

• Press Enter to run the last command
• Alter the last command (in this case by pressing Tab)
• Start typing a new command/search (as in non-history mode)

The last one is the most frequent use, so it would be desirable to achieve this without using a different hotkey to launch KP or extra keys (such as prefixing my command with Backspace to return from history mode).

Possibly an option to return from history mode a non-keyboard shortcut key is pressed?

[polyvertex]

hotkey_history setting now available in v2.15.4

[syserr0r]

Fantastic, thanks!

[glenviewjeff]

I'm so confused; I think I have the identical problem as syserr0r but don't understand how it was resolved. It appears to me that Keypirinha doesn't save argument history for apps. I regularly want to repeat the same app+argument combination but it seems that Keypirinha only recalls the app command, not the arguments. Am I missing something?

[syserr0r]

For me, CTRL + DOWN ARROW to get history, then TAB on highlighted entry to make arguments editable - hope that helps.

[glenviewjeff]

Thanks so much for replying. For me, when I select apps that I used arguments with, not only do the past arguments themselves not display in the history list, they are also not remembered when I hit tab. Nor are they recalled if I press enter on an item in the history list. The app command just gets executed without an argument. Is this how it works for you, or are your app arguments remembered?

[glenviewjeff]

Oy, I finally found the damn setting in the apps settings that for some reason isn't the default behavior. I needed to set history_keep = all.

[syserr0r]

I don't use that, this is my current config:

[app]
launch_at_startup = yes
hotkey_run = Alt+Space
ignored_packages = Bookmarks

[gui]
always_on_top = yes
hide_on_focus_lost = yes
retain_last_search = selected
escape_always_closes = yes
space_as_tab = no

This may be because the only real app I call arguments with is putty/ssh which might be handled differently?