Xerxes

Xerxes is a high-performance filesystem navigation engine for macOS and Linux. It provides instant directory jumping using fuzzy matching and a frecency-based ranking algorithm.

Installation

cargo install xerxes

Setup

After installing, run the automatic setup command:

_xerxes setup

If your shell configuration files are in a non-standard location, you can specify the path manually:

_xerxes setup --path "~/.config/zsh/.zshrc"

This will detect your shell (zsh, bash, or fish) and add the necessary configuration to your shell profile. After running this, restart your terminal or source your config file.

Usage

Use the x command followed by a query:

x backend       # Fuzzy search for a directory
x ..            # Go up one directory
x ~             # Go to home directory
x /             # Go to root

If multiple matches are found with similar scores, an interactive selector (FZF or custom TUI) will allow you to select the desired directory.

Aliases (Nicknames)

You can create permanent nicknames for directories to bypass fuzzy search entirely:

x alias . myproj                    # Alias current directory to "myproj"
x alias ~/work/very/deep/path boss  # Alias a deep path to "boss"
x alias --list                      # List all aliases
x alias --remove myproj             # Remove an alias
x alias --clear                     # Clear all aliases
x myproj                            # Jump instantly

Smart Learning

Xerxes learns your preferences automatically. If you select a path from the interactive list for a specific query, Xerxes will remember that choice. The next time you use the same query, it will jump directly to that path without showing the list.

To reset the learning memory:

x clear-memory

Features

• Performance: Built with Rust using redb for storage and nucleo-matcher for SIMD-optimized fuzzy matching.
• Frecency Ranking: Implements a frequency and recency algorithm with logarithmic decay to prioritize frequently accessed paths.
• Client-Daemon Architecture: Uses a background daemon (xerxesd) over Unix domain sockets to eliminate cold-start latency.
• Real-time Indexing: Utilizes notify to monitor filesystem changes and update the index incrementally.
• Smart Jumping: Directly supports special paths like .., ~, /, and -.
• Zero Configuration: Automatically performs an initial reindex on first run.
• Daemon-Backed: Zero-latency search powered by a background indexer.
• Dynamic Learning: Remembers your selections and improves over time.
• FZF Integration: Uses FZF for selection if installed, with a robust TUI fallback.
• TTY Safe: Works perfectly inside shell subshells and aliases.

License

MIT