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How to install fzf on macOS and Linux: fuzzy file and history search

Install fzf, enable shell integration, and use Ctrl+T and Ctrl+R to fuzzy-search files and command history.

Digging through folders, hunting a config path, or hammering the up arrow for yesterday's command — fzf turns any list into a fuzzy, filterable picker in the terminal.

People searching how to install fzf on macOS and Linux want a checkable path: install, remember a few keys, search files and shell history. Steps follow the official junegunn/fzf repository.

Install fzf Enable shell integration Ctrl+T / Ctrl+R for files and history

What fzf is for

01

Fuzzy match — no full path memorized

Type conf nginx and still hit /etc/nginx/nginx.conf. Subsequence matching beats typing the whole tree.

02

Embedded in the shell

The official install script wires bash, zsh, and fish with Ctrl+T, Ctrl+R, and Alt+C. Results land on the command line or change directory in place.

03

Any list source

Default listing uses find; swap in fd, rg --files, or pipe git branch | fzf. fzf only filters and selects.

Install on macOS and Linux

  1. 1

    macOS: Homebrew plus the install script

    Run brew install fzf, then $(brew --prefix)/opt/fzf/install. Say yes to key bindings and fuzzy completion on first run. Restart the terminal or source ~/.zshrc.

  2. 2

    Debian / Ubuntu: package or upstream binary

    Quick path: sudo apt update && sudo apt install fzf. For a newer build, grab a release binary from GitHub or git clone and run ./install --all. Confirm with fzf --version.

  3. 3

    Fedora, Arch, and others

    Fedora: sudo dnf install fzf. Arch: sudo pacman -S fzf. Then run the distro notes or the official install script so bindings land in your shell config.

  4. 4

    Smoke-test the three default shortcuts

    In zsh or bash: Ctrl+T picks files, Ctrl+R searches history, Alt+C (Option+C on some Mac layouts) jumps into a directory. If nothing fires, check for source .../fzf.zsh or fzf-key-bindings.zsh in your rc file.

Keys worth memorizing

Key Action Typical use
Ctrl+T Fuzzy file pick, insert on the line Paths, configs, attachments
Ctrl+R Fuzzy shell history Recover long one-off commands
Alt+C Pick a directory and cd Hop around a repo tree
↑ / ↓ Move in the list Navigate candidates
Enter Confirm Insert or run selection
Esc Cancel Return to the prompt

File search: default find and faster backends

Running fzf alone lists files via FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND or built-in find. Large trees benefit from fd or rg --files in ~/.zshrc: 

# fd-backed listing (install fd first)
export FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='fd --type f --hidden --follow --exclude .git'
export FZF_CTRL_T_COMMAND="$FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND"

# or ripgrep file listing
# export FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND='rg --files --hidden --follow'

Pipes work too: git ls-files | fzf limits to tracked files; ls *.md | fzf | xargs cat hands the pick to the next command. When you need to sync on what you found, open a browser room from the wbroom homepage — steps in create and join a room.

Command history: Ctrl+R and retention

Ctrl+R reads the shell's HISTFILE. If history feels short, raise HISTSIZE / SAVEHIST (zsh) or HISTSIZE / HISTFILESIZE (bash). Interactive fzf history beats stepping one entry at a time — type a fragment and narrow.

fzf is not a replacement tool — it is a terminal filter. Any command that prints lines can feed | fzf for interactive selection.

Installed but no shortcuts
You likely skipped the official install script or never sourced fzf.zsh / fzf.bash. Open a fresh terminal and retry.
Search feels slow
Point FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND at fd or a narrower root; exclude node_modules and .git.
IDE embedded terminal
Some IDE preview terminals do not forward Ctrl+T. Verify bindings in Terminal.app, iTerm2, or Kitty.

Questions worth checking

How does fzf relate to ripgrep and fd?

fzf handles interactive filtering; ripgrep (rg) and fd produce candidate lists faster. They are often combined, not interchangeable.

Does it run on Windows?

Yes — Git Bash, WSL, and native Windows builds are documented upstream. This guide focuses on macOS and Linux terminals.

How do I remove it or turn off bindings?

Uninstall via your package manager and delete source ... fzf lines from ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc. The official install --uninstall path is in the current README.

Can I pick multiple files?

Yes. Pass --multi, mark rows with Tab, and Enter prints several lines for batch commands.

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