The sd module is a modern alternative to sed, focusing on substitution with a more readable syntax. It integrates with FZF for real-time previews of text changes and works without local installation via x-cmd pkg.
When to Activate
- When the user wants a more intuitive syntax for text replacement.
- When needing interactive previews of search and replace effects.
- When performing fast string-based replacements without complex sed escaping.
Core Principles & Rules
- Readability: Prioritize
sdoversedfor tasks that only require straightforward substitution. - Safety: Supports
--previewto output results to stdout without touching the file. - Interactive App: Use
--fzfappfor visual confirmation of changes.
Patterns & Examples
Interactive Search and Replace
# Open interactive FZF preview for text substitution
x sd --fzfapp test.txt
String Replacement (Literal)
# Replace strings literally without treating them as regex
x sd -F "FIND_THIS" "REPLACE_WITH" file.txt
Checklist
- Confirm if the find/replace terms should be treated as literal strings (
-F). - Verify if an interactive preview is required.
- Ensure the user is aware the file will be modified unless in preview mode.