What is Percol?

Percol is a Python utility for unix that adds an interactive selection menu to your terminal. This menu can be generated instantly just from piping from a different command.

If I missed your favorite way of using percol, please send me a tweet and I’ll add your suggestions to this list.

Common UNIX Stuff

Search a File

percol /path/to/file

Changing Directories

cd $(ls -ARd */ | percol)

Killing Processes

ps aux | percol | awk '{ print $2 }' | xargs kill

Run a Command from History

eval $(history | cut -c 8- | percol)

Search grep Results

grep -R "needle" haystack/ 

Open grep Result File with vim

vim $(grep -R 'needle' haystack/ | percol | awk -F ':' '{print $1}')

Parsing diff Output

diff file1 file2 | percol

Search for alias

alias | percol

Choose User for File Ownership

sudo chown $(cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd | percol) file

Choose Group for File Ownership

sudo chgrp $(groups | tr " " '\n' | percol) file

Percol with Docker

Choose Running Container to Stop

docker stop $(docker ps | percol | awk '{print  $1;}')

Choose Stopped Container to Start

docker start $(docker ps --filter 'status=exited' | percol | awk '{print $1;}')

Choose Container to Remove

docker rm $(docker ps -a | percol | awk '{print $1;}')

Choose Image to Remove

docker rmi $(docker images | percol | awk '{print $3;}')