File browsing as you type

[reticulator]

I've been a long time Launchy user and have long wished for a newer 64-bit version with some new features. Keypirinha is almost a complete replacement for me except for one core launchy feature.

One of the key things i used it for was to replace the run prompt. Often times i know exact location on the file system where the folder or file I want to open/launch is. With Launchy you could just start tying the path and it would start auto-completing the path and also list items in the folder you could open. Perhaps this would be a separate package, kind of like how the = activates the calculator package, perhaps anything starting with a drive letter (?:), slash (\ or /) or network path () would activate this package and start auto-completing your path like the run prompt.

Launch would also allow you to index folder names into its catalog along with files. So for instance if you had a C:\Projects folder with sub-folders, you could tell it to index the subfolders under C:\Projects, and then just type in the sub-folder name like you would any other application or file. Perhaps this could be an enhancement to the Apps package. Perhaps a second ini setting that allows you to configure the folders that should be indexed as items in the catalog.

[polyvertex]

I've been a long time and happy Launchy user as well. File browsing is definitely missing and it will be implemented in Keypirinha slightly differently to allow more flexibility. Stay tuned.

[rbax]

My workaround for this was to create a handful of windows shortcuts (.lnk) to the things I wanted, put all of those into a directory, and add that to the catalog.

Bam, indexed/searchable bookmarks for anything (directories, scripts, etc.).

[sergeevabc]

Separate package sounds reasonable as path/folder/files auto-completion will pollute simple index.
P.S. For example, I already have Bookmarks package turned off.

[polyvertex]

Just a small update to say it's on its way. Slowly.
And it will be in a separate package indeed so no worries about being able to disable it (it will be enabled by default).

Here is an overview of the available settings so far:

[main]
# Plugin's main configuration section.

# Show directories first in the results list
# Default: yes
#show_dirs_first = yes

# Show hidden files while browsing
# Default: no
#show_hidden_files = no

# Show system files while browsing
# * Note that system files/directories may be hidden. In other words, some
#   files/dirs setting may still not be visible unless you set show_hidden_files
#   to "yes" as well.
# * Default: no
#show_system_files = no

# Show distant files while browsing
# Default: no
#show_network_files = no

[polyvertex]

Update. In addition to the aforementioned settings, a home feature will be offered:

[home]
# The "home" feature allows you to get quick access to your favorite(s)
# folder(s) by typing a given "trigger" of your choice.

# The string that triggers the "home" listing.
# * This setting allows to specify an arbitrary string that triggers the "home"
#   listing.
# * It can be a single character or a string (case-insensitive).
# * An empty value disables the "home" feature.
# * Default: ~
#trigger = ~

# Your "home" folders.
# * By default (empty value), it points to the PROFILE directory of the current
#   user. This is equivalent to the following values on default Windows setups:
#     home = ::{5e6c858f-0e22-4760-9afe-ea3317b67173}
#     home = ${env:PROFILEDIR}
#     home = ${env:SYSTEMDRIVE}\Users\${env:USERNAME}
# * Multiline: this setting accepts a multiline value. You can specify several
#   "home" directories, in which case, they will be listed (in order), once
#   you have typed the trigger string.
# * Each line must point to the path of a folder.
#   The folder does not have to exist yet.
# * Example:
#   home =
#       ::{fdd39ad0-238f-46af-adb4-6c85480369c7} # %PROFILEDIR%\Documents
#       ${var:PROFILE_DIR_USER}                  # Keypirinha's user profile
#       ${env:SOME_ENV_VAR}
#       C:\Any\Dir\Will\Do
#home =

[polyvertex]

New FileBrowser package available in 2.7

[egabrum]

@polyvertex , I'm not sure if commenting on an entry that is already closed is the right procedure. Anyways...
I've noticed that this package does not do recursive search of folders. In other words, I can search for files in subfolders, but not for the subfolders themselves, which is inconsistent.

Personally, I'm in need of this feature enhancement. I open folders all the time with Launchy, but I don't care to remember under what tree they are or to explore down to them. Please consider it. I wouldn't want to manually catalog every single folder I might be interested in.

Also, I haven't been able to find a description of what "distant files" are.
Thanks

[polyvertex]

I'm not sure if commenting on an entry that is already closed is the right procedure.

You're fine. When you're not sure, head over to the chat room.

I've noticed that this package does not do recursive search of folders. In other words, I can search for files in subfolders, but not for the subfolders themselves, which is inconsistent.

It should... Actually, "it works for me". The only known exception to this is that it is not supported yet to browse a folder from a .lnk file.
Could you elaborate on the steps that lead you to that observation? Also, are you using default config for the FileBrowser package? If not, provide your settings.

I haven't been able to find a description of what "distant files" are.

Perhaps a better name would be "remote files". I've corrected the comments in the config files.

[egabrum]

I think I have misunderstood the FileBrowser package. I see now that it's only a browser.

What I was waiting for is the ability to search and open folders in the same way that I'm able to search and open documents from my catalogue.

For example:

• File system:

\\drive\level1\level2\
\\drive\level1\level2\level3a\file1.txt
\\drive\level1\level2\level3b\file2.txt

• in my apps.ini :
  extra_paths = \\drive\level1\**\*. (let's assume that '*.' is the notation to represent folders)
• from the launch box, if I search 'level3', it would present me the list with:

\\drive\level1\level2\level3a\
\\drive\level1\level2\level3b\

so that I can open directly the folders. For me, very often, folders are catalogue entities more important than actual documents but, as it is now, I can't catalog folders with Keypirinha. Some people suggest direct links, which I think beats the purpose of a launcher (I don't want having to manually maintain that library of direct links).

I hope this is clear enough.

[polyvertex]

Then, it is indeed a gap in KP's features that is already planned to be filled. Meanwhile, an intermediate solution can be to add \\drive\level1\level2 to the home setting ([home] section) of the FileBrowser package. Then from the LaunchBox, type ~level for example (the ~ prefix is configurable with the trigger setting). Obviously this is not convenient in the case you wish to have this working for dozens of parent folders.

I'm currently thinking of creating a new package that would actually be an extra_paths on steroids, with the ability to scan the file system with a full range of filtering options. Package is not developed yet but its design is on paper already and it will be the answer to #24 you've opened.

[egabrum]

That sounds awesome. I'll be looking forward to it.

If I may add, another advantage of being able to catalog/launch folders is that users could choose to catalog a folder structure but not the files within it. This would make the catalog much smaller and snappy.

[EhsanKia]

I am also in the same boat, moving over from Launchy.

One question, I don't quite understand this "Home" feature. I want something similar, where I get items in a folder populated in my Catalog, but I don't want to type ~ to access it, I want it to be there directly.

Is something as simple as populating files like Launchy does planned? I just want to specify a list of folders, the depth and file types, and get all those items straight in my catalog.

[polyvertex]

@EhsanKia The Apps package allows you to achieve that. I encourage you to follow #24 that you've already read, for a future enhanced version of the current solution.

As a side note, please use the chat room for this kind of discussions (i.e. questions).

Is something as simple as populating files ...

Demanding aren't we?! The repository of the official packages accepts pull requests and the community is already awaiting for your "simple" contribution =)

[hihihlo]

@egabrum @EhsanKia I want to tell all Launchy fans (me too!) :
After made some setting,
you can locate to folders themselves very naturally like Launchy, do NOT need ~ prefix.
also do NOT need add lnk files manually, of course.

For example have below dirs/files :

c:\drive\level1\level2\
c:\drive\level1\level2\test2.txt
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3a\file1.txt
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3b\file2.lnk

if typing 'level3' in launch box, KP will show below :

c:\drive\level1\level2\level3a
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3b
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3a\file1.txt
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3b\file2.lnk

if typing 'level3b' in launch box, KP will show below :

c:\drive\level1\level2\level3b
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3b\file2.lnk

above behavior is setting via FilesCatalog package :

[profile/MyMenu]
activate = yes
paths =
    c:\drive\**
    c:\my other folder\**

max_depth = -1
include_dirs = yes
file_item_label = {dir}\{name}
dir_item_label = {dir}\{name}
file_item_desc = {clean_name}
dir_item_desc = {dir}\{name}

if type [Tab] at a folder (e.g. level2), KP will show :

c:\drive\level1\level2
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3a
c:\drive\level1\level2\level3b
c:\drive\level1\level2\test2.txt

here it show only top level dirs/files under focus folder, not recursive sub folders
(exact like Launchy do)

but now type '3b' or 'test', results can NOT be filtered any more !
so now you can only use [up]/[down] to locate to level3b or test2.txti (is a bug ??)
This is mentioned at Issue #499 and Issue #525
and it can be fix if you update FilesCatalog package as Issue #499 maykot said

@polyvertex
because FilesCatalog is Shipped Packages,
so I thought KP Latest Releases 27 (v2.26) should has newest FilesCatalog !
How about patch newest FilesCatalog package into KP v2.27 ?
I think many Launchy user wish (and loss) that patch, just like I used to be.
thanks~

PS : sorry post here, but I think chat room is too mess^^

[EhsanKia]

This thread is very very old. For what it's worth, I created a Launchy plugin for KP in 2017: https://github.com/EhsanKia/keypirinha-plugins/tree/master/keypirinha-launchy

You can paste your Launchy config as is and it'll work as expected with little work.

[hihihlo]

Sorry I didn't find that plugin before.
That is a great convenience for everyone, Thanks !!