## EDIR - Rename, Delete, and Copy Files and Directories Using Your Editor
[![PyPi](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/edir)](https://pypi.org/project/edir/)
[![AUR](https://img.shields.io/aur/version/edir)](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/edir/)
[edir](http://github.com/bulletmark/edir) is a command line utility to
rename, remove, and copy filenames and directories using your text
editor. Run it in the current directory and `edir` will open your editor
on a list of files and directories in that directory. Each item in the
directory will appear on its own numbered line. These numbers are how
`edir` keeps track of what items are changed. Delete lines to remove
files/directories, edit lines to rename files/directories, or duplicate
line numbers to copy files/directories. You can also switch pairs of
numbers to swap files or directories. If run from within a
[Git](https://git-scm.com/) repository, `edir` will [use
Git](#renames-and-deletes-in-a-git-repository) to rename or delete
tracked files/directories. You can use a [trash program](#using-trash)
to delete files.
The latest version and documentation is available at
https://github.com/bulletmark/edir.
## Advantages Compared to Vidir
[edir](http://github.com/bulletmark/edir) unashamedly mimics the
functionality of the [vidir](https://linux.die.net/man/1/vidir) utility
from [moreutils](https://joeyh.name/code/moreutils/) but aims to improve it in
the following ways:
1. `edir` automatically uses `git mv` instead of `mv` and `git rm`
instead of `rm` for tracked files when invoked within a
[Git](https://git-scm.com/) repository. There is also a `-G/--no-git`
option to suppress this default action. See the description in the
section below about [git options](#renames-and-deletes-in-a-git-repository).
2. `vidir` presents file and directories equivalently but `edir` adds a
trailing slash `/` to visually discriminate directories. E.g. if `afile` and
`bfile` are files, `adir` and `bdir` are directories, then `vidir`
presents these in your editor as follows.
```
1 ./a
2 ./b
3 ./c
4 ./d
```
But `edir` presents these as:
```
1 ./a
2 ./b
3 ./c/
4 ./d/
```
Note the trailing slash is only for presentation in your editor. You
are not required to ensure it is present after editing. E.g. editing
line 3 above to `./e` (or even just to `e`) would still rename the
directory `c` to `e`.
Note also, that both `edir` and `vidir` show the leading `./` on each
entry so that any leading spaces are clearly seen, and can be edited.
3. `edir` adds the ability to copy files or directories one or more
times when you duplicate a numbered line. `vidir` does not have copy
functionality.
4. `edir` allows you to remove a file/directory by deleting the line, as
`vidir` does, but you can also remove it by pre-pending a `#` to
"comment it out" or by substituting an entirely blank line.
5. By default, `edir` prints remove, rename, and copy messages whereas
`vidir` prints messages only when the `-v/--verbose` switch is added.
You can add `-q/--quiet` to `edir` to suppress these messages.
6. `edir` outputs messages in color. Remove messages are red, rename
messages are yellow, and copy messages are green. You can choose to
disable colored output.
7. When `vidir` is run with the `-v/--verbose` switch then it reports
the renaming of original to intermediate temporary to final files if
files are swapped etc. That is rather an implementation detail so
`edir` only reports the original to final renames which is all the
user really cares about.
8. To remove a large recursive tree you must pipe the directory tree to
`vidir` and then explicitly remove all children files and directories
before deleting a parent directory. You can do this also in `edir` of
course (and arguably it is probably the safest approach) but there
are times when you really want to let `edir` remove recursively so
`edir` adds a `-r/--recurse` switch to allow this. BE CAREFUL USING
THIS!
9. `vidir` always shows all files and directories in a directory,
including hidden files and directories (i.e. those starting with a
`.`). Usually a user does not want to be bothered with these so
`edir` by default does not show them. They can be included by adding
the `-a/--all` switch.
10. `edir` does not require the user to specify the `-` if something has
been piped to standard input. E.g. you need only type `find | edir`
as opposed to `find | edir -`. Note that `vidir` requires the second
form.
11. `edir` adds a `-F/--files` option to only show files, or `-D/--dirs`
to only show directories.
12. `edir` adds a `-L/--nolinks` option to ignore symbolic links.
13. `edir` adds a `-d/--dirnames` option to edit specified directory
names directly, not their contents. I.e. this is like `ls -d mydir`
compared to `ls mydir`.
14. `edir` adds a [`-t/--trash` option](#using-trash) to delete to your
[Trash](https://specifications.freedesktop.org/trash-spec/trashspec-1.0.html).
By default this option invokes
[`trash-put`](https://www.mankier.com/1/trash-put) from the
[trash-cli](https://github.com/andreafrancia/trash-cli) package to
do deletions but you can specify any alternative trash program, see
[section below](#using-trash).
15. `edir` adds `-N/--sort-name, -I/--sort-time, -S/--sort-size` options
to sort the paths when listed in your editor. There is also a
`-E/--sort-reverse` option to reverse the order.
16. `edir` adds `-X/--group-dirs-first` and `-Y/--group-dirs-last`
options to display directories grouped together, either first or
last. These can be combined with the above sorting options.
17. `edir` shows a message "No files or directories" if there is nothing
to edit, rather than opening an empty file as `vidir` does.
18. `edir` filters out any duplicate paths you may inadvertently specify
on it's command line.
19. `edir` always invokes a consistent duplicate renaming scheme. E.g. if
you rename `b`, `c`, `d` all to the same pre-existing name `a` then
`edir` will rename `b` to `a~`, `c` to `a~1`, `d` to `a~2`.
Depending on order of operations, `vidir` is not always consistent
about this, E.g. sometimes it creates a `a~1` with no `a~` (this may
be a bug in `vidir` that nobody has ever bothered to
report/address?).
20. `edir` creates the temporary editing file with a `.sh` suffix so
your EDITOR may syntax highlight the entries. Optionally, you can
change this default suffix.
21. `edir` provides an optional environment value to add custom options
to the invocation of your editor. See [section
below](#edir_editor-environment-variable).
22. `edir` provides an optional configuration file to set default `edir`
command line options. See [section
below](#command-default-options).
23. Contrary to what it's name implies, `vidir` actually respects your
`$EDITOR` variable and runs your preferred editor like `edir` does
but `edir` has been given a generic name to make this more apparent.
24. `vidir` returns status code 0 if all files successful, or 1 if any
error. `edir` returns 0 if all files successful, 1 if some had
error, or 2 if all had error.
25. `edir` is very strict about the format of the lines you edit and
immediately exits with an error message (before changing anything)
if you format one of the lines incorrectly. All lines in the edited
list:
1. Must start with a number and that number must be in range.
2. Must have at least one white space/tab after the number,
3. Must have a remaining valid path name.
4. Can start with a `#` or be completely blank to be considered the
same as deleted.
Note the final edited order of lines does not matter, only the first
number value is used to match the newly edited line to the original
line so an easy way to swap two file names is just to swap their
numbers.
26. `edir` always actions files consistently. The sequence of
operations applied is:
1. Deleted files are removed and all renamed files and directories
are renamed to temporaries. The temporaries are made on the same
file-system as the target.
2. Empty deleted directories are removed.
3. Renamed temporary files and directories are renamed to their
target name. Any required copies are created.
4. Remaining deleted directories are removed.
In simple terms, remember that files are processed before
directories so you can rename files into a different directory and
then delete the original directory, all in one edit. However in
practice it is far **less confusing and less risky** if you perform
complicated renames and moves in distinct steps.
## Renames and Deletes in a GIT Repository
When working within a [Git](https://git-scm.com/) repository, you nearly
always want to use `git mv` instead of `mv` and `git rm` instead of `rm`
for files and directories so `edir` recognises this and does it
automatically. Note that only tracked files/dirs are moved or renamed
using Git. Untracked files/dirs within the repository are removed or
renamed in the normal way.
If for some reason you don't want automatic git action then you can use
the `-G/--no-git` option temporarily, or set it a default option. See
the section below on how to set default options. If you set `--no-git`
as the default, then you can use `-g/-git` on the command line to turn
that default option off temporarily and re-enable git functionality.
## Using Trash
Given how easy `edir` facilitates deleting files, some users may prefer
to delete them to system
[Trash](https://specifications.freedesktop.org/trash-spec/trashspec-1.0.html)
from where they can be later listed and/or recovered. Specifying
`-t/--trash` does this by executing the
[`trash-put`](https://www.mankier.com/1/trash-put) command, from the
[`trash-cli`](https://github.com/andreafrancia/trash-cli) package, to
remove files rather than removing them natively.
You may want to set `-t/--trash` as a default option. If you do so then
you can use `-T` on the command line to turn that default option off
temporarily.
You can specify an alternative trash program, e.g.
[`trash-d`](https://github.com/rushsteve1/trash-d), by setting the
`--trash-program` option. Most likely you want to set this as a [default
option](#command-default-options).
## Installation or Upgrade
Arch users can install [edir from the AUR](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/edir/).
Python 3.6 or later is required. Note [edir is on
PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/edir/) so just ensure that
`python3-pip` and `python3-wheel` are installed then type the following
to install (or upgrade):
```
$ sudo pip3 install -U edir
```
Or, to install from this source repository:
```
$ git clone http://github.com/bulletmark/edir
$ cd edir
$ sudo pip3 install -U .
```
To upgrade from the source repository:
```
$ cd edir # i.e. to git source dir above
$ git pull
$ sudo pip3 install -U .
```
Optionally, if you are using an odd system and/or want to install this
manually then all you need to do is rename `edir.py` as `edir` and make
it executable somewhere in your path, although note this approach means
that `edir` will start slightly less quickly (because Python will have
to recompile to bytecode every time you run it).
Edir runs on pure Python. No 3rd party packages are required.
[Git](https://git-scm.com/) must be installed if you want to use the git
options. A trash program such as
[trash-cli](https://github.com/andreafrancia/trash-cli) package is
required if you want `-t/--trash` functionality.
### EDIR_EDITOR Environment Variable
`edir` selects your editor from the first environment value found of:
`$EDIR_EDITOR`, `$VISUAL`, `$EDITOR`, then falls back to "vi" if
none of these are set.
You can also set `EDIR_EDITOR` explicitly to an editor + arguments
string if you want `edir` to call your editor with specific arguments.
## Command Default Options
You can add default options to a personal configuration file
`~/.config/edir-flags.conf`. If that file exists then each line of
options will be concatenated and automatically prepended to your
`edir` command line arguments. Comments in the file (i.e. starting with
a `#`) are ignored. Type `edir -h` to see all supported options.
The options `--all`, `--recurse`, `--quiet`, `--no-git`, `--trash`,
`--suffix`, `--no-color`, `--group-dirs-first/last`, `--trash-program`
are sensible candidates to consider setting as default. If you set these
then "on-the-fly" negation options `-A`, `-R`, `-Q`, `-g`, `-T`, `-Z`
are also provided to temporarily override and disable default options on
the command line.
## Examples
Rename and/or delete any files and directories in the current directory:
```
$ edir
```
Rename and/or delete any jpeg files in current dir:
```
$ edir *.jpg
```
Rename and/or delete any files under current directory and subdirectories:
```
$ find | edir -F
```
Use [`fd`](https://github.com/sharkdp/fd) to view and `git mv/rm`
repository files only, in the current directory only:
```
$ fd -d1 -tf | edir -g
```
## Command Line Options
Type `edir -h` to view the usage summary:
```
usage: edir [-h] [-a] [-A] [-r] [-R] [-q] [-Q] [-G] [-g] [-t] [-T]
[--trash-program TRASH_PROGRAM] [-c] [-d] [-F | -D] [-L] [-N]
[-I] [-S] [-E] [-X] [-Y] [-Z] [--suffix SUFFIX]
[args ...]
Program to rename, remove, or copy files and directories using your editor.
Will use git to action the rename and remove if run within a git repository.
positional arguments:
args file|dir, or "-" for stdin
options:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-a, --all include all (including hidden) files
-A, --no-all negate the -a/--all/ option
-r, --recurse recursively remove any files and directories in
removed directories
-R, --no-recurse negate the -r/--recurse/ option
-q, --quiet do not print rename/remove/copy actions
-Q, --no-quiet negate the -q/--quiet/ option
-G, --no-git do not use git if invoked within a git repository
-g, --git negate the --no-git option and DO use automatic git
-t, --trash use trash program to do deletions
-T, --no-trash negate the -t/--trash/ option
--trash-program TRASH_PROGRAM
trash program to use, default="trash-put"
-c, --no-color do not color rename/remove/copy messages
-d, --dirnames edit given directory names directly, not their
contents
-F, --files only show/edit files
-D, --dirs only show/edit directories
-L, --nolinks ignore all symlinks
-N, --sort-name sort paths in file by name, alphabetically
-I, --sort-time sort paths in file by time, oldest first
-S, --sort-size sort paths in file by size, smallest first
-E, --sort-reverse sort paths (by name/time/size) in reverse
-X, --group-dirs-first
group directories first (including when sorted)
-Y, --group-dirs-last
group directories last (including when sorted)
-Z, --no-group-dirs negate the options to group directories
--suffix SUFFIX specify suffix for editor file, default=".sh"
Note you can set default starting options in ~/.config/edir-flags.conf. The
negation options (i.e. the --no-* options and their shortforms) allow you to
temporarily override your defaults.
```
## Embed in Ranger File Manager
In many ways `edir` (and `vidir`) is better than the
[ranger](https://ranger.github.io/)
[bulkrename](https://github.com/ranger/ranger/wiki/Official-user-guide#bulk-renaming)
command which does not handle name swaps and clashes etc. To add `edir`
as a command within [ranger](https://ranger.github.io/), add or create
the following in `~/.config/ranger/commands.py`. Then run it from within
[ranger](https://ranger.github.io/) by typing `:edir`.
```python
from ranger.api.commands import Command
class edir(Command):
'''
:edir [file|dir]
Run edir on the selected file or dir.
Default argument is current dir.
'''
def execute(self):
self.fm.run('edir -q ' + self.rest(1))
def tab(self, tabnum):
return self._tab_directory_content()
```
## License
Copyright (C) 2019 Mark Blakeney. This program is distributed under the
terms of the GNU General Public License.
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or any later
version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General
Public License at <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/> for more details.
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