The Reach Recent Command for Unix

The re command aims to make cd operations more efficient when targeting recently used folders in a deep hierarchy.

The re command, when invoked without arguments, displays a list of the subdirectories (possibly in-depth), that were most recently updated.

For example:

   ~/perso$re
   1: ./work/review/2020-10/
   2: ./admin/school/2020/report
   3: ./admin/
   4. ./sport/biking/map_castle
   5: ./
   6: ./fun/jokes/others
   7: ./fun/movies
   8: ./work/
   choice?

To cd into one of these directories, it suffices to type in the corresponding digit. As a shorthand, to validate the first choice, simply type enter.

The maximal number of listed subdirectories is 8 by default, but this number can be customized.

The command re foo restricts the output of re to (possibly in-depth) subdirectories whose name includes foo.

For example:

   ~/perso$re bik
   1: ./work/review/2020-10/minibikes
   2: ./fun/movies/bikers
   3: ./admin/insurance/motorbike
   choice?

Again, the desired directory can be selected by typing the corresponding digit. In the relatively common case where a single result shows up, that result is automatically selected.

For example, assuming the pattern minibik occurs in exactly one subdirectory, the command re minibik directy cd to that folder:

   ~/perso$re minibik
   ~/perso/work/review/2020-10/minibikes$

Download the script re.sh (e.g., in your home), then add the following line to your ~/.bashrc file.

   alias re='. ~/re.sh 8'

Where the number 8 denotes the maximal number of result to display.

Limitations include:

• hidden folders are excluded, it might be useful to provide an option to include them,
• it might be useful to include an option to exclude folder on remote servers from the search,
• it could be useful to integrate a default 1sec timeout to the command, when exploring file systems that are too large.