# fzy

> fast command-line fuzzy finder

**Wikidata**: [Q104637552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104637552)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fzy

## Summary
fzy is a fast command-line fuzzy finder designed for Unix-like operating systems. It is a free software console application distributed under the MIT License. The tool is maintained in a GitHub repository and is widely available across major Linux and Unix package repositories.

## Key Facts
- **License:** MIT License.
- **Category:** Fuzzy finder, console application, free software.
- **Platform:** Runs on Unix-like operating systems.
- **Latest Release:** Version 1.0, released on September 23, 2018.
- **Initial Release:** Version 0.1, released on October 20, 2014.
- **Repository:** Hosted at `https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy`.
- **Programming Language:** Identified in structured data as Q15777.
- **Package Availability:** Available in official repositories for Debian, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Gentoo, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, openSUSE, and Homebrew.
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.

## FAQs
### Q: What operating systems does fzy support?
A: fzy is designed for Unix-like operating systems. It is specifically available for installation on Linux distributions (like Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Gentoo, openSUSE) and BSD variants (FreeBSD, OpenBSD).

### Q: Is fzy free to use?
A: Yes, fzy is classified as free software and is released under the MIT License, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.

### Q: When was fzy version 1.0 released?
A: The stable version 1.0 of fzy was released on September 23, 2018.

### Q: Where can I find the source code for fzy?
A: The source code is maintained in a Git repository located at `https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy`.

## Why It Matters
fzy addresses the need for efficient text filtering and searching within the command-line interface. As a "fuzzy finder," it allows users to filter lists using approximate string matching rather than exact matches, significantly speeding up workflows such as finding files or selecting commands. Its designation as "fast" highlights a focus on performance, which is critical for interactive command-line tools where latency disrupts user flow.

The tool's significance is further evidenced by its broad adoption in the open-source ecosystem; it is packaged and maintained in the default repositories of major systems including Debian, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, and Homebrew. This wide availability ensures that users across diverse Unix-like environments can easily install and integrate fzy into their daily operations. The development trajectory from version 0.1 in 2014 to version 1.0 in 2018 demonstrates a mature and stabilized codebase suitable for general use.

## Notable For
- **Broad Distribution:** Distinguished by its inclusion in a high number of official package repositories (Debian, Ubuntu, Arch, Gentoo, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, openSUSE, Homebrew).
- **Performance:** Explicitly described as a "fast" fuzzy finder in its definition.
- **Open Source Model:** Distributed under the permissive MIT License, classifying it fully as free software.
- **Cross-Platform Unix Support:** Runs across the spectrum of Unix-like operating systems rather than being limited to a single distribution.

## Body

### Technical Definition
fzy is a console application categorized as a fuzzy finder. It operates on Unix-like operating systems and is programmed in the language identified by Wikidata ID Q15777. The project is copyrighted but distributed freely under the MIT License.

### Development History
The development of fzy has been tracked through several releases hosted on GitHub. The project saw its initial public releases in late 2014, followed by a period of active updates in 2016 and 2017, culminating in a stable release in 2018.

**Release Timeline:**
*   **2014:** Versions 0.1 and 0.2 were both released on October 20.
*   **2016:** The project saw significant updates, starting with version 0.3 (April 26), followed by 0.4 (May 19), 0.5 (June 12), 0.6 (July 27), and 0.7 (August 4).
*   **2017:** Version 0.8 was released on January 1, followed by version 0.9 on April 17.
*   **2018:** The most recent listed stable version, 1.0, was released on September 23.

### Distribution and Availability
fzy is widely accessible through standard package managers across the Unix ecosystem. It is categorized under the Repology project name `fzy`.

**Specific Package Integrations:**
*   **Linux Distributions:**
    *   Debian (stable package: `fzy`)
    *   Ubuntu (package: `fzy`)
    *   Arch Linux (package: `fzy`)
    *   Gentoo (package: `app-shells/fzy`)
    *   openSUSE (package: `fzy`)
*   **BSD Systems:**
    *   FreeBSD (port: `textproc/fzy`)
    *   OpenBSD (port: `textproc/fzy`)
*   **macOS:**
    *   Homebrew (formula name: `fzy`)

### Source and Licensing
The source code is available via Git Smart HTTP over TLS at `https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy`. As free software, it adheres to the principles allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions.

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/jhawthorn/fzy)
2. [Release 0.1. 2014](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.1)
3. [Release 0.2. 2014](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.2)
4. [Release 0.3. 2016](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.3)
5. [Release 0.4. 2016](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.4)
6. [Release 0.5. 2016](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.5)
7. [Release 0.6. 2016](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.6)
8. [Release 0.7. 2016](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.7)
9. [Release 0.8. 2017](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.8)
10. [Release 0.9. 2017](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/0.9)
11. [Release 1.0. 2018](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/1.0)
12. [Release 1.1. 2025](https://github.com/jhawthorn/fzy/releases/tag/v1.1)