Improve File tree picker in Helix with Zellij

[TheAwiteb]

Hi, I would like to improve https://yazi-rs.github.io/docs/tips/#helix-with-zellij, what do you think?

The current method is as follows:

~/.config/helix/config.toml

[keys.normal]
C-y = ":sh zellij run -f -x 10% -y 10% --width 80% --height 80% -- bash ~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh"

~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh

#!/usr/bin/env bash

paths=$(yazi --chooser-file=/dev/stdout | while read -r; do printf "%q " "$REPLY"; done)

if [[ -n "$paths" ]]; then
	zellij action toggle-floating-panes
	zellij action write 27 # send <Escape> key
	zellij action write-chars ":open $paths"
	zellij action write 13 # send <Enter> key
	zellij action toggle-floating-panes
fi

zellij action close-pane

Is good, but the problem is if you have already opened floating pane, after opening the file you will stay on the floating pane. Also forcing the user to open the file in the window they is working in is not good, so we must make it flexible.

---

Video shows the issue

tip_issue.mp4

As you can see, The first time I used Yazi it was without a floating window already open, then I opened one and typed in it echo hi and moved to Helix, then I opened Yazi and as you can see after opening the file in Helix I was in the floating window.

My solution is

~/.config/helix/config.toml

-[keys.normal]
-C-y = ":sh zellij run -f -x 10% -y 10% --width 80% --height 80% -- bash ~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh"
+[keys.normal."A-y"]
+"c" = ":sh zellij run -c -f -x 10% -y 10% --width 80% --height 80% -- bash ~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh open"
+"v" = ":sh zellij run -c -f -x 10% -y 10% --width 80% --height 80% -- bash ~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh vsplit"
+"h" = ":sh zellij run -c -f -x 10% -y 10% --width 80% --height 80% -- bash ~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh hsplit"

Adding -c flag, which is will close the command pane after execute the command (open the file in Helix)

~/.config/helix/yazi-picker.sh

#!/usr/bin/env bash

+command=$1
paths=$(yazi --chooser-file=/dev/stdout | while read -r; do printf "%q " "$REPLY"; done)

if [[ -n "$paths" ]]; then
	zellij action toggle-floating-panes
	zellij action write 27 # send <Escape> key
-	zellij action write-chars ":open $paths"
+       zellij action write-chars ":$command $paths"
	zellij action write 13 # send <Enter> key
-	zellij action toggle-floating-panes
+else
+	zellij action toggle-floating-panes
fi

-zellij action close-pane

After fixing the issue, it will looks like this Awesome!!

fix_tip_issue.mp4

[sxyazi]

This looks great, thanks for sharing it!

Would you like to raise a PR? (Click the bottom link on docs to edit)

[TheAwiteb]

Would you like to raise a PR?

Yes of course, I thought it's better to discuss it before creating it.

[TheAwiteb]

@sxyazi, as you can see in the second video, there is a custom description for the new key bindings, helix doesn't support this but I have patched it, what do you think about sharing my patch?

I think it's good, but I don't know if it's ok to share it here.

[github-actions]

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