fzf Install, Upgrade, and Shell Integration

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Install fzf, enable shell integration, and configure global defaults for day-to-day use.

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Install and verify

Install fzf, check the version, and inspect built-in docs.

Install with Homebrew

Install fzf on macOS or Linux with Homebrew.

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bashANYinstallbrewmacoslinux

bash

brew install fzf

Homebrew is the most common install path on macOS and also works on Linux.

Install with apt

Install fzf from Debian or Ubuntu repositories.

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bashANYinstallaptubuntudebian

bash

sudo apt-get install -y fzf

Fastest way to get started on Debian-based systems, though package versions can lag behind upstream.

Install with pacman

Install fzf on Arch Linux.

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bashANYinstallpacmanarch

bash

sudo pacman -S fzf

Simple install path on Arch and Arch-based systems.

Install from the upstream repository

Clone the repo and run the installer for shell integration.

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bashANYinstallgitshell-integration

bash

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/junegunn/fzf.git ~/.fzf
~/.fzf/install

The install script can add shell key bindings and completion for supported shells.

Check the installed version

Print the current fzf version.

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bashANYversionverify

bash

fzf --version

Useful for troubleshooting option availability and verifying an upgrade.

Open the embedded manual

Show the built-in man page from the binary.

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bashANYmanualhelpdocs

bash

fzf --man

Recent versions embed the manual directly in the binary, which is convenient on minimal systems.

Shell integration

Enable fuzzy completion and common shell key bindings.

Source zsh integration

Load fzf key bindings and completion in zsh.

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bashANYzshcompletionkey-bindings

bash

[ -f ~/.fzf.zsh ] && source ~/.fzf.zsh

Typical setup when installed via the upstream installer.

Source bash integration

Load fzf key bindings and completion in bash.

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bashANYbashcompletionkey-bindings

bash

[ -f ~/.fzf.bash ] && source ~/.fzf.bash

Adds key bindings such as CTRL-T and CTRL-R in bash.

Set a better default file source

Use fd instead of find for faster file listings.

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bashANYfddefault-commandfiles

bash

export FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='fd --type f --hidden --follow --exclude .git'

A common optimization because fd is faster and easier to tune than raw find.

Define global default options

Apply common options to every fzf invocation.

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bashANYdefault-optslayoutui

bash

export FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS='--height=40% --layout=reverse --border --info=inline'

Handy for keeping your preferred layout and UI style consistent.

Customize CTRL-T picker

Tune the file picker bound to CTRL-T.

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bashANYctrl-tpreviewshell-integration

bash

export FZF_CTRL_T_OPTS='--preview "bat --style=numbers --color=always --line-range :200 {}"'

Adds a preview window for the built-in file selection binding.

More in fzf

fzf tmux, Editor Integration, Troubleshooting, and Performance

Use fzf with tmux and editors, and fix common issues involving shell integration, source commands, and large repositories.

fzf Reload, Event Bindings, and Dynamic Sources

Build live search interfaces with reload, change events, refresh-preview, and mode-switching key bindings.

fzf Recipes: Files, ripgrep, Git, Processes, and Navigation

Practical pipeline recipes that combine fzf with fd, ripgrep, bat, Git, and shell utilities.

fzf Shell Completion and Key Bindings

Set up fuzzy shell completion and customize built-in key bindings like CTRL-T, CTRL-R, and ALT-C.

fzf Layout, UI, and Styling

Tune layout, borders, headers, sorting, and visual style for cleaner fuzzy-finder interfaces.

fzf Preview Windows, Key Bindings, and Actions

Use previews, key bindings, execute actions, and dynamic UI changes to build powerful interactive pickers.

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