1

I know there are programs which make a TUI (like dialog, whiptail) which allow selections in bash. However, I want a simple, nice, completely CLI menu (may not be simple to implement though).

Note:

  • the program should NOT clear the terminal (it should keep current terminal contents intact)
  • the program should change contents of the menu instead of spitting out lines every key input

The answer should be a bash/shell script.

Given an array of strings (4 in this case):

options=(opt1 "option 2" another "option here")

I want to construct a menu with the selected option highlighted (option will be chosen if pressed enter): Example 1

If the user presses arrow up/down, the program should select the previous/next item and "cycle" through options (selection becomes last when arrow up is pressed on first option). This example shows the menu after arrow down is pressed: Example 2

If the user types "opt", the menu selection should only show options starting with "opt" and change back the current selection to the first item: Example 3

Is this even possible? If yes, please tell me how. Also, I am willing to add any description if requested.

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6
  • 1
    bash has a build in command "select" which behaves quiet similar to your description, but you have to choose by number. Commented Sep 2, 2022 at 12:02
  • select name in Frank Fred Francis; do echo Hello $name; break; done Commented Sep 2, 2022 at 12:03
  • i think it differs. the select command cannot go through options using arrow keys + not interactive Commented Sep 2, 2022 at 12:06
  • 2
    @sudoer It definitely is interactive, only not allowing the user to choose with the arrow keys. Commented Sep 2, 2022 at 12:10
  • hmm ok. correct me if i am wrong, but there isnt the filter options by input feature Commented Sep 2, 2022 at 12:11

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

It turns out there is this tool called fzy, which is a fuzzy finder. The script should be:

options=(opt1 "option 2" another "option here")
echo "Please choose an option:"
printf "%s\n" "${options[@]}" | fzy

This seems to do what I want.

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1
  • Hmm, using a fuzzy finder is great, but its not really what you asked for. Take a look here: askubuntu.com/a/1386907/1771279 Commented Feb 28, 2024 at 7:49
1

I know this has already been answered but heres an example without any dependencies

enter image description here

#!/bin/bash

COLOR_BLACK=0
COLOR_RED=1
COLOR_GREEN=2
COLOR_YELLOW=3
COLOR_BLUE=4
COLOR_MAGENTA=5
COLOR_CYAN=6
COLOR_WHITE=7
COLOR_OFF=9
FG_BLACK=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_BLACK}m")
FG_RED=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_RED}m")
FG_GREEN=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_GREEN}m")
FG_YELLOW=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_YELLOW}m")
FG_BLUE=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_BLUE}m")
FG_MAGENTA=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_MAGENTA}m")
FG_CYAN=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_CYAN}m")
FG_WHITE=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_WHITE}m")
FG_OFF=$(echo -e "\033[3${COLOR_OFF}m")
BG_BLACK=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_BLACK}m")
BG_RED=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_RED}m")
BG_GREEN=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_GREEN}m")
BG_YELLOW=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_YELLOW}m")
BG_BLUE=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_BLUE}m")
BG_MAGENTA=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_MAGENTA}m")
BG_CYAN=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_CYAN}m")
BG_WHITE=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_WHITE}m")
BG_OFF=$(echo -e "\033[4${COLOR_OFF}m")
FG_INFO=$(echo -e "${FG_CYAN}")
FG_DANGER=$(echo -e "${FG_RED}")
FG_WARNING=$(echo -e "${FG_YELLOW}")
FG_SUCCESS=$(echo -e "${FG_GREEN}")
BG_INFO=$(echo -e "${BG_CYAN}")
BG_DANGER=$(echo -e "${BG_RED}")
BG_WARNING=$(echo -e "${BG_YELLOW}")
BG_SUCCESS=$(echo -e "${BG_GREEN}")

# Disable word wrapping
echo -e "\033[?7l"

# Hide cursor
echo -e "\033[?25l"

# Define menu colors
MENU_FG_COLOR=${FG_WHITE}
MENU_BG_COLOR=${BG_CYAN}
MENU_HIGHLIGHT_FG_COLOR=${FG_CYAN}
MENU_HIGHLIGHT_BG_COLOR=${BG_BLACK}

# Define menu title colors
MENU_TITLE_FG_COLOR=${FG_BLACK}
MENU_TITLE_BG_COLOR=${BG_GREEN}

# Define menu width
MENU_WIDTH=50

# Define menu title padding
MENU_TITLE_PADDING=4

# Menu title
MENU_TITLE="Use arrow keys to navigate, press Enter to select."
MENU_TITLE_LENGTH=${#MENU_TITLE}
if [[ $MENU_TITLE_LENGTH -gt $MENU_WIDTH ]]; then
    MENU_WIDTH=$MENU_TITLE_LENGTH
fi
MENU_TITLE_LENGTH=$((MENU_TITLE_LENGTH + MENU_TITLE_PADDING * 2))
if [[ $MENU_TITLE_LENGTH -gt $MENU_WIDTH ]]; then
    MENU_WIDTH=$MENU_TITLE_LENGTH
fi

# Menu options
options=("Option 1" "Option 2" "Option 3" "Exit")
selected=0  # Index of the selected menu item

# Function to display the menu
display_menu() {
    clear
    local term_width=$(tput cols)
    local start_col=$(( (term_width - MENU_WIDTH) / 2 ))
    local padding=$((MENU_WIDTH - MENU_TITLE_LENGTH))
    local filler=$(printf '%*s' "$padding" '')
    local title_filler=$(printf '%*s' "$MENU_TITLE_PADDING" '')
    printf "\n\n"  # Add two empty rows above the menu title
    printf "%${start_col}s" ""
    echo -e "${MENU_TITLE_BG_COLOR}${MENU_TITLE_FG_COLOR}${title_filler}${MENU_TITLE}${title_filler}${FG_OFF}${BG_OFF}"
    for i in "${!options[@]}"; do
        local padding=$((MENU_WIDTH - ${#options[$i]} - 4))
        local filler=$(printf '%*s' "$padding" '')
        if [[ $i -eq $selected ]]; then
            printf "%${start_col}s" ""  # Align to center
            echo -e "${MENU_HIGHLIGHT_BG_COLOR}${MENU_HIGHLIGHT_FG_COLOR} > ${options[$i]} $filler ${FG_OFF}${BG_OFF}"
        else
            printf "%${start_col}s" ""  # Align to center
            echo -e "${MENU_BG_COLOR}${MENU_FG_COLOR}   ${options[$i]} $filler ${FG_OFF}${BG_OFF}"
        fi
    done
}

# Capture keypresses
while true; do
    display_menu
    read -rsn1 key  # Read a single key
    if [[ $key == $'\x1b' ]]; then
        read -rsn2 key  # Read the next two characters
        if [[ $key == "[A" ]]; then  # Up arrow
            ((selected--))
            if [[ $selected -lt 0 ]]; then
                selected=$((${#options[@]} - 1))
            fi
        elif [[ $key == "[B" ]]; then  # Down arrow
            ((selected++))
            if [[ $selected -ge ${#options[@]} ]]; then
                selected=0
            fi
        fi
    elif [[ $key == "" ]]; then  # Enter key
        case ${options[$selected]} in
            "Option 1")
                echo "You selected Option 1!"
                ;;
            "Option 2")
                echo "You selected Option 2!"
                ;;
            "Option 3")
                echo "You selected Option 3!"
                ;;
            "Exit")
                echo "Exiting..."
                echo -e "\033[?7h"  # Re-enable word wrapping
                echo -e "\033[?25h"  # Show cursor
                exit 0
                ;;
        esac
        read -p "Press any key to continue..." -n1
    fi

done
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