nnn as a file picker

README.md

@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ It runs on Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi, BSD, Cygwin, Linux subsystem for Windows
 
 We need contributors. Please visit the [ToDo list](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/137).
 
-If you are using custom scripts which you would like to share with others, please raise a PR to add them under [user-scripts](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/scripts/user-scripts).
-
 *Love smart and efficient utilities? Explore [my repositories](https://github.com/jarun?tab=repositories). Buy me a cup of coffee if they help you.*
 
 <p align="center">
@@ -69,6 +67,7 @@ If you are using custom scripts which you would like to share with others, pleas
     - [get selection manually](#get-selection-manually)
   - [cd on quit](#cd-on-quit)
   - [(neo)vim plugin](#neovim-plugin)
+  - [file picker](#file-picker)
   - [run custom scripts](#run-custom-scripts)
     - [sample scripts](#sample-scripts)
   - [launch applications](#launch-applications)
@@ -452,8 +451,6 @@ To get the list in a file:
 
     ncp > out.txt
 
-To use `nnn` as a file picker and redirect the output to other programs, please see [issue #183](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/issues/183).
-
 #### cd on quit
 
 To quit `nnn` and switch to the directory last opened follow the instructions below.
@@ -466,6 +463,10 @@ As you might notice, `nnn` uses the environment variable `NNN_TMPFILE` to write
 
 `nnn` can be used as a file picker/chooser within vim or neovim. Find the plugin [here](https://github.com/mcchrish/nnn.vim).
 
+#### file picker
+
+To use `nnn` as a file picker and redirect the output to other programs, use [picker.sh](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/blob/master/scripts/user-scripts/picker.sh).
+
 #### run custom scripts
 
 `nnn` can invoke custom scripts with the currently selected file name as argument 1.
@@ -480,17 +481,7 @@ Press <kbd>R</kbd> to run the script in the current directory. You can also use
 
 ##### sample scripts
 
-- Open image files in current dir in **sxiv**:
-
-      #!/usr/bin/env sh
-
-      sxiv -q * >/dev/null 2>&1
-
-- Fuzzy find files in **fzy** and open with xdg-open:
-
-      #!/usr/bin/env sh
-
-      xdg-open $(find -type f | fzy) >/dev/null 2>&1
+Sample scripts for use cases like sxiv or fzy integration are under [user-scripts](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/tree/master/scripts/user-scripts). Feel free to contribute yours!
 
 #### launch applications
 

scripts/user-scripts/picker.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Description: Pick files and pipe the line-separated list to another utility
+#
+# Shell: bash
+# Author: Arun Prakash Jana
+#
+# Usage:
+# Copy this file in your $PATH, make it executable and preferably name it to picker.
+# Run commands like:
+#   ls -l `picker`
+#   cd `picker`
+# or, in fish shell:
+#   ls -l (picker)
+#   cd (picker)
+#
+# NOTE: This use case is limited to picking files, other functionality may not work as expected.
+
+nnn -p /tmp/pickerout
+> /tmp/picked
+while read -d $'\0' line ; do
+    echo $line >> /tmp/picked
+done < /tmp/pickerout
+echo $line >> /tmp/picked
+cat /tmp/picked
+
+rm /tmp/pickerout /tmp/picked

src/nnn.c

@@ -780,13 +780,18 @@ static bool showcplist()
 /* Initialize curses mode */
 static bool initcurses(void)
 {
-	if (initscr() == NULL) {
+	if (cfg.picker) {
+		if (!newterm(NULL, stderr, stdin)) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "newterm!\n");
+			return FALSE;
+		}
+	} else if (!initscr()) {
 		char *term = getenv("TERM");
 
 		if (term != NULL)
 			fprintf(stderr, "error opening TERM: %s\n", term);
 		else
-			fprintf(stderr, "initscr() failed\n");
+			fprintf(stderr, "initscr!\n");
 		return FALSE;
 	}
 
@@ -3592,8 +3597,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	}
 
 	/* Confirm we are in a terminal */
-	if (!isatty(0) || !isatty(1)) {
-		fprintf(stderr, "stdin or stdout is not a tty\n");
+	if (!cfg.picker && !(isatty(0) && isatty(1))) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "stdin/stdout !tty\n");
 		return 1;
 	}