tree-copy

A keyboard-driven file tree sidebar for tmux, built with Textual.

Browse your project, jump between directories, copy paths, and preview files — without leaving the terminal.

PyPI · GitHub

Features

• Navigate the file tree with arrow keys
• Jump between sibling directories with Shift+↑/↓
• Copy relative or absolute paths to clipboard
• Preview files with glow (falls back to less)
• Edit files with $TREE_COPY_EDITOR (falls back to nano → vi)
• Root folder stays open (non-collapsible)

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• glow (optional, recommended for file preview — falls back to less)

Install

pip install tree-copy

Or from source:

pip install .

Usage

tree-copy [directory]   # defaults to current directory

As a togglable tmux sidebar, add to ~/.tmux.conf:

bind-key e run-shell " \
  PANE=$(tmux show-option -wqv @tree-copy-pane); \
  if [ -n \"$PANE\" ] && tmux list-panes -F '#{pane_id}' | grep -q \"^$PANE\$\"; then \
    tmux kill-pane -t \"$PANE\"; \
    tmux set-option -w @tree-copy-pane ''; \
  else \
    NEW_PANE=$(tmux split-window -hbP -l 35 -F '#{pane_id}' \"tree-copy '#{pane_current_path}'\"); \
    tmux set-option -w @tree-copy-pane \"$NEW_PANE\"; \
  fi"

prefix + e opens the sidebar; pressing it again closes it. State (expanded folders, cursor position) is saved automatically and restored on next open.

Keybindings

Key	Action
↑ / ↓	Navigate
Shift+↑ / Shift+↓	Jump between sibling directories; moves to parent at bounds
Enter / Space	Toggle directory open/close
o	Preview file (glow if available, else less)
e	Edit file ($TREE_COPY_EDITOR, else nano, else vi)
c	Copy relative path to clipboard
C	Copy absolute path to clipboard
q / Esc	Quit

License

MIT