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Edit: Using bash.

I am in a directory that has several files in it. As a quicker method than typing it out, I would like to get one of those file names to "type itself" on the command line.

So far, my command is

mv

I would now like to "select" a file name to "populate" onto the command line.

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    Hit Tab twice. and your shell ( to find out echo $SHELL or getent passwd $USER | cut -d: -f7) will show you your choices.
    – waltinator
    Feb 21, 2019 at 16:24
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    It now lists each file on a separate line below the line where I typed the command. But, how do I get one to populate on the command line (besides highlight and copy).
    – whitelightning
    Feb 21, 2019 at 16:30
  • 3
    You should type the first few characters of the filename, and hit Tab again. If what you typed uniquely specifies 1 file, that filename will be filled in, if not, you'll see another list.
    – waltinator
    Feb 21, 2019 at 16:33
  • I don't know of a shell that does that by default, you can do it with dialog (eg this). Or perhaps use something like mc, select file with cursors and then F6 to move/rename.
    – pbhj
    Feb 21, 2019 at 16:42
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    Related: Select a particular result from completion suggestions
    – steeldriver
    Feb 21, 2019 at 18:11

1 Answer 1

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0

Hit Tab twice. and your shell ( to find out echo $SHELL or getent passwd $USER | cut -d: -f7) will show you your choices.

Then, type the first few characters of the filename, and hit Tab again. If what you typed uniquely specifies 1 file, that filename will be filled in, if not, you'll see another list.

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1
  • I am finding that you don't need to press tab twice as the first step. Do you want to edit that part out?
    – whitelightning
    Feb 21, 2019 at 22:34

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