fzf Basics: Search, Select, and Script Output/Run in non-interactive filter mode

Use fzf as a fuzzy filter without opening the UI.

Section: Query and output control

Run in non-interactive filter mode

bash
bash
printf '%s\n' alpha beta gamma | fzf --filter=gm
Explanation

Great for scripts when you want fzf matching semantics without TUI interaction.

Learn the surrounding workflow

Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.

Related commands

Same sheet · prioritizing Query and output control
Print the final query too
Return both the typed query and the selection.
OpenIn sheetbashsame section
Start with a prefilled query
Open fzf with an initial search string.
OpenIn sheetbashsame section
Auto-accept single matches
Accept immediately when there is exactly one match.
OpenIn sheetbashsame section
Select files from a pipeline
Pipe any list into fzf and interactively pick a line.
Open the selected file in an editor
Capture the selected value and open it with $EDITOR.
Enable multi-select
Pick multiple lines instead of a single match.