Run-Stuff Emacs Package

A package for convenient, execute command-line actions from Emacs.

Motivation

Not every command makes sense to alias or wrap in a shell script, sometimes there are tasks you run every so often or paths you might want to go back to later on.

This makes it possible to use a file (org-mode or just a text file) as a convenient ad-hoc reference for miscellaneous commands and files (a step up from hoping that handy command remains in you're shells search history).

Usage

This package provides run-stuff-command-on-region-or-line which can be called from a key binding to execute the current selection or line.

Since this has the potential to do some damage, its suggested you use a shortcut you wont press by accident. eg: Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Return.

Example use in init.el:

(global-set-key (kbd "<C-M-S-return>") 'run-stuff-command-on-region-or-line)

While you don't have to use/know all of the following prefixes, these can be used to control how execution is performed.

• $ Run in terminal.
• @ Open in an Emacs buffer.
• ~ Open with default mime type (works for paths too).
• http:// or https:// opens in a web-browser.
• Directories are opened in the terminal.
• Otherwise default to running the command without a terminal when none of the conditions above succeed.

For longer commands you may want to split them over multiple lines. This is supported using a trailing backslash \, the cursor may be anywhere within the text, the upper and lower lines will be detected.

Examples:

# A quick test to see everything works
$ find /

# Opens a text file
~ /path/to/my/project.txt

# Opens a web site
http://wiki.blender.org

# Edit your emacs config
@ ~/.emacs.d/init.el

# Play a movie from where you left off
mpv '/path/to/movie.mp4' --no-terminal \
--start=+0:30:00

# Play the 10 latest podcasts
$ eval audacious \
    $(find ~/gPodder/Downloads -type f -printf "%T+\t%p\n" \
    -name "*.mp*" -o -name "*.og*" -o -name "*.ac3" | \
    sort -r | head -n 10 | cut -f2 -d$'\t' | xargs -d '\n' printf " %q ") & disown

If you'd like to change the default terminal from xterm, it can be configured as follows:

(setq run-stuff-terminal-command "gnome-terminal")
(setq run-stuff-terminal-execute-arg "--command")