telescope.nvim

Gaze deeply into unknown regions using the power of the moon.

What Is Telescope?

telescope.nvim is a highly extendable fuzzy finder over lists. Built on the latest awesome features from neovim core. Telescope is centered around modularity, allowing for easy customization.

Community driven built-in pickers, sorters and previewers.

Built-in Support:

• Vim
• Files
• Git
• LSP
• Treesitter

_{For more showcases of Telescope, please visit the Showcase section in the Telescope Wiki}

Telescope Table of Contents

• Getting Started
• Usage
• Customization
• Mappings
• Pickers
• Sorters
• Previewers
• Themes
• Extensions
• API
• Media
• Gallery
• FAQ
• Configuration recipes
• Contributing

Getting Started

This section should guide to run your first built-in pickers 😄.

Neovim Nightly (0.5) is required for telescope.nvim to work.

Optional dependences

• sharkdp/bat (preview)
• sharkdp/fd (finder)
• BurntSushi/ripgrep (finder)
• nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter (finder/preview)
• neovim LSP (picker)
• devicons (icons)

Installation

Using vim-plug

Plug 'nvim-lua/popup.nvim'
Plug 'nvim-lua/plenary.nvim'
Plug 'nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim'

Using dein

call dein#add('nvim-lua/popup.nvim')
call dein#add('nvim-lua/plenary.nvim')
call dein#add('nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim')

Using packer.nvim

use {
  'nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim',
  requires = {{'nvim-lua/popup.nvim'}, {'nvim-lua/plenary.nvim'}}
}

Usage

Try the command :Telescope find_files<cr> to see if telescope.nvim is installed correctly.

" Find files using Telescope command-line sugar.
nnoremap <leader>ff <cmd>Telescope find_files<cr>
nnoremap <leader>fg <cmd>Telescope live_grep<cr>
nnoremap <leader>fb <cmd>Telescope buffers<cr>
nnoremap <leader>fh <cmd>Telescope help_tags<cr>

" Using lua functions
nnoremap <leader>ff <cmd>lua require('telescope.builtin').find_files()<cr>
nnoremap <leader>fg <cmd>lua require('telescope.builtin').live_grep()<cr>
nnoremap <leader>fb <cmd>lua require('telescope.builtin').buffers()<cr>
nnoremap <leader>fh <cmd>lua require('telescope.builtin').help_tags()<cr>

See built-in pickers for the list of all built-in functions.

Customization

This section should help you explore available options to configure and customize your telescope.nvim.

Unlike most vim plugins, telescope.nvim can be customized either by applying customizations globally or individual per picker.

• Global Customization affecting all pickers can be done through the main setup() method (see defaults below)
• Individual Customization affecting a single picker through passing opts built-in pickers (e.g. builtin.fd(opts)) see Configuration recipes wiki page for ideas.

Telescope Defaults

As an example of using the setup() method, the following code configures telescope.nvim to its default settings.

require('telescope').setup{
  defaults = {
    vimgrep_arguments = {
      'rg',
      '--color=never',
      '--no-heading',
      '--with-filename',
      '--line-number',
      '--column',
      '--smart-case'
    },
    prompt_position = "bottom",
    prompt_prefix = "> ",
    selection_caret = "> ",
    entry_prefix = "  ",
    initial_mode = "insert",
    selection_strategy = "reset",
    sorting_strategy = "descending",
    layout_strategy = "horizontal",
    layout_defaults = {
      horizontal = {
        mirror = false,
      },
      vertical = {
        mirror = false,
      },
    },
    file_sorter =  require'telescope.sorters'.get_fuzzy_file,
    file_ignore_patterns = {},
    generic_sorter =  require'telescope.sorters'.get_generic_fuzzy_sorter,
    shorten_path = true,
    winblend = 0,
    width = 0.75,
    preview_cutoff = 120,
    results_height = 1,
    results_width = 0.8,
    border = {},
    borderchars = { '─', '│', '─', '│', '╭', '╮', '╯', '╰' },
    color_devicons = true,
    use_less = true,
    set_env = { ['COLORTERM'] = 'truecolor' }, -- default = nil,
    file_previewer = require'telescope.previewers'.vim_buffer_cat.new,
    grep_previewer = require'telescope.previewers'.vim_buffer_vimgrep.new,
    qflist_previewer = require'telescope.previewers'.vim_buffer_qflist.new,

    -- Developer configurations: Not meant for general override
    buffer_previewer_maker = require'telescope.previewers'.buffer_previewer_maker
  }
}

To embed the above code snippet in a .vim file (for example in after/plugin/telescope.nvim.vim), wrap it in lua << EOF code-snippet EOF:

lua << EOF
require('telescope').setup{
  -- ...
}
EOF

Options affecting Presentation

Keys	Description	Options
prompt_position	Where the prompt should be located.	top/bottom
prompt_prefix	What should the prompt prefix be.	string
selection_caret	What should the selection caret be.	string
entry_prefix	What should be shown in front of every entry. (current selection excluded)	string
initial_mode	The initial mode when a prompt is opened.	insert/normal
sorting_strategy	Where first selection should be located.	descending/ascending
layout_strategy	How the telescope is drawn.	supported layouts
winblend	How transparent is the telescope window should be.	NUM
layout_defaults	Extra settings for fine-tuning how your layout looks	supported settings
width	TODO	NUM
preview_cutoff	TODO	NUM
results_height	TODO	NUM
results_width	TODO	NUM
borderchars	The border chars, it gives border telescope window	dict
color_devicons	Whether to color devicons or not	boolean
use_less	Whether to use less with bat or less/cat if bat not installed	boolean
set_env	Set environment variables for previewer	dict
scroll_strategy	How to behave when the when there are no more item next/prev	cycle, nil
file_previewer	What telescope previewer to use for files.	Previewers
grep_previewer	What telescope previewer to use for grep and similar	Previewers
qflist_previewer	What telescope previewer to use for qflist	Previewers

Options for extension developers

Keys	Description	Options
buffer_previewer_maker	How a file gets loaded and which highlighter will be used. Extensions will change it	function

Options affecting Sorting

Keys	Description	Options
file_sorter	The sorter for file lists.	Sorters
generic_sorter	The sorter for everything else.	Sorters
vimgrep_arguments	The command line argument for grep search ... TODO.	dict
selection_strategy	What happens to the selection if the list changes.	follow/reset/row
file_ignore_patterns	Pattern to be ignored { "scratch/.*", "%.env" }	dict
shorten_path	Whether to shorten paths or not.	boolean

Mappings

Mappings are fully customizable. Many familiar mapping patterns are setup as defaults.

Mappings	Action
<C-n>/<Down>	Next item
<C-p>/<Up>	Previous item
j/k	Next/previous (in normal mode)
<CR>	Confirm selection
<C-x>	go to file selection as a split
<C-v>	go to file selection as a vsplit
<C-t>	go to a file in a new tab
<C-u>	scroll up in preview window
<C-d>	scroll down in preview window
<C-c>	close telescope
<Esc>	close telescope (in normal mode)

To see the full list of mappings, check out lua/telescope/mappings.lua and the default_mappings table.

Much like built-in pickers, there are a number of actions you can pick from to remap your telescope buffer mappings or create a new custom action:

-- Built-in actions
local transform_mod = require('telescope.actions.mt').transform_mod

-- or create your custom action
local my_cool_custom_action = transform_mod({
  x = function()
    print("This function ran after another action. Prompt_bufnr: " .. prompt_bufnr)
    -- Enter your function logic here. You can take inspiration from lua/telescope/actions.lua
  end,
})

To remap telescope mappings and make them apply to all pickers:

local actions = require('telescope.actions')
-- Global remapping
------------------------------
require('telescope').setup{
  defaults = {
    mappings = {
      i = {
        -- To disable a keymap, put [map] = false
        -- So, to not map "<C-n>", just put
        ["<c-x>"] = false,

        -- Otherwise, just set the mapping to the function that you want it to be.
        ["<C-i>"] = actions.select_horizontal,

        -- Add up multiple actions
        ["<CR>"] = actions.select_default + actions.center,

        -- You can perform as many actions in a row as you like
        ["<CR>"] = actions.select_default + actions.center + my_cool_custom_action,
      },
      n = {
        ["<esc>"] = actions.close,
        ["<C-i>"] = my_cool_custom_action,
      },
    },
  }
}

For a picker specific remapping, it can be done by setting its attach_mappings key to a function, like this

local actions = require('telescope.actions')
local action_set = require('telescope.actions.set')
-- Picker specific remapping
------------------------------
require('telescope.builtin').fd({ -- or new custom picker's attach_mappings field:
  attach_mappings = function(prompt_bufnr)
    -- This will replace select no mather on which key it is mapped by default
    action_set.select:replace(function(prompt_bufnr, type)
      local entry = action_state.get_selected_entry()
      actions.close(prompt_bufnr)
      print(vim.inspect(entry))
      -- Code here
    end)

    -- You can also enhance an action with pre and post action which will run before of after an action
    action_set.select:enhance({
      pre = function()
          -- Will run before actions.select_default
      end,
      post = function()
          -- Will run after actions.select_default
      end,
    })

    -- Or replace for all commands: default, horizontal, vertical, tab
    action_set.select:replace(function(_, type)
      print(cmd) -- Will print edit, new, vnew or tab depending on your keystroke
    end)

    return true
  end,
})
------------------------------
-- More practical example of adding a new mapping
require'telescope.builtin'.git_branches({ attach_mappings = function(_, map)
  map('i', '<c-d>', actions.git_delete_branch) -- this action already exist
  map('n', '<c-d>', actions.git_delete_branch) -- this action already exist
  -- for more actions look at lua/telescope/actions/init.lua
  return true
end})

For more info, see ./developers.md

Pickers

Built-in functions. Ready to be bound to any key you like. 😄

:lua require'telescope.builtin'.planets{}

:nnoremap <Leader>pp :lua require'telescope.builtin'.planets{}

File Pickers

Functions	Description
builtin.find_files	Lists Files in current directory.
builtin.git_files	Lists Git files in current directory.
builtin.grep_string	Searches for a string under the cursor in current directory.
builtin.live_grep	Searches in current directory files. (respecting .gitignore)
builtin.file_browser	Ivy-like file explorer. Creates files by typing in filename and pressing <C-e>. Press <C-e> without prompt for more info

Options for builtin.live_grep

Keys	Description	Options
grep_open_files	Restrict live_grep to currently open files, mutually exclusive with search_dirs	boolean
search_dirs	List of directories to search in, mutually exclusive with grep_open_files	list

Vim Pickers

Functions	Description
builtin.buffers	Lists Open buffers in the current vim instance.
builtin.oldfiles	Lists Previously open files.
builtin.commands	Lists Available plugin/user commands and run it.
builtin.tags	Lists Tags in current directory with preview (ctags -R)
builtin.command_history	Lists Commands previously ran and run it on enter.
builtin.search_history	Lists Searches previously ran and run it on enter.
builtin.help_tags	Lists Available help tags and open help document.
builtin.man_pages	Lists Man entries.
builtin.marks	Lists Markers and their value.
builtin.colorscheme	Lists Colorscheme and switch to it on enter.
builtin.quickfix	Lists items from quickfix.
builtin.loclist	Lists items from current window's location list.
builtin.vim_options	Lists vim options and on enter edit the options value.
builtin.registers	Lists vim registers and edit or paste selection.
builtin.autocommands	Lists vim autocommands and go to their declaration.
builtin.spell_suggest	Lists spelling suggestions for .
builtin.keymaps	Lists normal-mode mappings.
builtin.filetypes	Lists all filetypes.
builtin.highlights	Lists all highlights.
builtin.current_buffer_fuzzy_find	Searches in current buffer lines.
builtin.current_buffer_tags	Lists Tags in current buffer.

LSP Pickers

Functions	Description
builtin.lsp_references	Searches in LSP references.
builtin.lsp_document_symbols	Searches in LSP Document Symbols in the current document.
builtin.lsp_workspace_symbols	Searches in LSP all workspace symbols.
builtin.lsp_code_actions	Lists LSP action to be trigged on enter.
builtin.lsp_range_code_actions	Lists LSP range code action to be trigged on enter.
builtin.lsp_document_diagnostics	Lists LSP Diagnostics in the current document.
builtin.lsp_workspace_diagnostics	Lists LSP Diagnostics in the workspace if supported and otherwise open buffers.
builtin.lsp_definitions	Goto definition if there is only one. If there are multiple, open them up in telescope

Git Pickers

Functions	Description
builtin.git_commits	Lists git commits with diff preview and on enter checkout the commit.
builtin.git_bcommits	Lists buffer's git commits with diff preview and checkouts it out on enter.
builtin.git_branches	Lists all branches with log preview, checkout action (), track action () and rebase action().
builtin.git_status	Lists current changes per file with diff preview and add action. (Multi-selection still WIP)

Treesitter Picker

Functions	Description
builtin.treesitter	Lists Function names, variables, from Treesitter!

Lists Picker

Functions	Description
builtin.planets	Use the telescope.
builtin.builtin	Lists Built-in pickers and run them on enter.
builtin.reloader	Lists lua modules and reload them on enter.
builtin.symbols	Lists symbols inside a file data/telescope-sources/*.json found in your rtp. More info and symbol sources can be found here

Previewers

Previewers	Description
previewers.vim_buffer_cat.new	Default previewer for files. Uses vim buffers
previewers.vim_buffer_vimgrep.new	Default previewer for grep and similar. Uses vim buffers
previewers.vim_buffer_qflist.new	Default previewer for qflist. Uses vim buffers
previewers.cat.new	Deprecated previewer for files. Uses cat/bat
previewers.vimgrep.new	Deprecated previewer for grep and similar. Uses cat/bat
previewers.qflist.new	Deprecated previewer for qflist. Uses cat/bat

The default previewers are from now on vim_buffer_ previewers. They use vim buffers for displaying files and use tree-sitter or regex for file highlighting. These previewers are guessing the filetype of the selected file, so there might be cases where it misses, thus leading to wrong highlights. This is because we can't determine the filetype in the traditional way (we don't do bufload. We read the file async with vim.loop.fs_ and attach only a highlighter), because we can't execute autocommands, otherwise the speed of the previewer would slow down considerably. If you want to configure more filetypes take a look at plenary wiki.

If you want to configure the vim_buffer_ previewer, e.g. you want the line to wrap do this:

autocmd User TelescopePreviewerLoaded setlocal wrap

Sorters

Sorters	Description
sorters.get_fuzzy_file	Telescope's default sorter for files
sorters.get_generic_fuzzy_sorter	Telescope's default sorter for everything else
sorters.get_levenshtein_sorter	Using Levenshtein distance algorithm (don't use :D)
sorters.get_fzy_sorter	Using fzy algorithm
sorters.fuzzy_with_index_bias	Used to list stuff with consideration to when the item is added

A Sorter is called by the Picker on each item returned by the Finder. It returns a number, which is equivalent to the "distance" between the current prompt and the entry returned by a finder.

Themes

Common groups of settings can be set up to allow for themes. We have some built in themes but are looking for more cool options.

Themes	Description
themes.get_dropdown	A list like centered list. dropdown

To use a theme, simply append it to a built-in function:

nnoremap <Leader>f :lua require'telescope.builtin'.find_files(require('telescope.themes').get_dropdown({}))<cr>
" Change an option
nnoremap <Leader>f :lua require'telescope.builtin'.find_files(require('telescope.themes').get_dropdown({ winblend = 10 }))<cr>

or use with command:

Telescope find_files theme=get_dropdown

Themes should work with every telescope.builtin function. If you wish to make a theme, check out lua/telescope/themes.lua.

Autocmds

Telescope user autocmds:

Event	Description
User TelescopeFindPre	Do it before Telescope creates all the floating windows
User TelescopePreviewerLoaded	Do it after Telescope previewer window is created

Extensions

Telescope provides the capabilities to create & register extensions, which improve telescope in a variety of ways.

Some extensions provide integration with external tools, outside of the scope of builtins. Others provide performance enhancements by using compiled C and interfacing directly with Lua.

Loading extensions

To load an extension, use the load_extension function as shown in the example below:

-- This will load fzy_native and have it override the default file sorter
require('telescope').load_extension('fzy_native')

You may skip explicitly loading extensions (they will then be lazy-loaded), but tab completions will not be available right away.

Accessing pickers from extensions

Pickers from extensions are added to the :Telescope command under their respective name. For example:

" Run the `configurations` picker from nvim-dap
:Telescope dap configurations

They can also be called directly from lua:

-- Run the `configurations` picker from nvim-dap
require('telescope').extensions.dap.configurations()

Community Extensions

For a list of community extensions, please consult the wiki: Extensions

API

Finders

-- lua/telescope/finders.lua
Finder:new{
  entry_maker     = function(line) end,
  fn_command      = function() { command = "", args  = { "ls-files" } } end,
  static          = false,
  maximum_results = false
}

Picker

This section is an overview of how custom pickers can be created any configured.

-- lua/telescope/pickers.lua
Picker:new{
  prompt_title            = "", -- REQUIRED
  finder                  = FUNCTION, -- see lua/telescope/finder.lua
  sorter                  = FUNCTION, -- see lua/telescope/sorter.lua
  previewer               = FUNCTION, -- see lua/telescope/previewer.lua
  selection_strategy      = "reset", -- follow, reset, row
  border                  = {},
  borderchars             = {"─", "│", "─", "│", "┌", "┐", "┘", "└"},
  preview_cutoff          = 120,
  default_selection_index = 1, -- Change the index of the initial selection row
}

To override only some of the default mappings, you can use the attach_mappings key in the setup table. For example:

function my_custom_picker(results)
  pickers.new(opts, {
    prompt_title = 'Custom Picker',
    finder = finders.new_table(results),
    sorter = sorters.fuzzy_with_index_bias(),
    attach_mappings = function(_, map)
      -- Map "<CR>" in insert mode to the function, actions.set_command_line
      map('i', '<CR>', actions.set_command_line)

      -- If the return value of `attach_mappings` is true, then the other
      -- default mappings are still applies.
      --
      -- Return false if you don't want any other mappings applied.
      --
      -- A return value _must_ be returned. It is an error to not return anything.
      return true
    end,
  }):find()
end

Layout (display)

Resolvable:

1. 0 <= number < 1:
   • This means total height as a percentage
2. 1 <= number:
   • This means total height as a fixed number
3. function(picker, columns, lines):
   • returns one of the above options
   • return max.min(110, max_rows * .5)

layout_strategies.horizontal = function(self, max_columns, max_lines)
  local layout_config = validate_layout_config(self.layout_config or {}, {
    width_padding = "How many cells to pad the width",
    height_padding = "How many cells to pad the height",
    preview_width = "(Resolvable): Determine preview width",
  })
  ...
end

Vim Commands

All telescope.nvim functions are wrapped in vim commands for easy access, its supports tab completions and settings options.

" Show all builtin pickers
:Telescope

" Tab completion
:Telescope |<tab>
:Telescope find_files

" Setting options
:Telescope find_files prompt_prefix=🔍

" If option is table type in lua code ,you can use `,` connect each command string eg:
" find_command,vimgrep_arguments they are both table type. so config it in commandline like
:Telescope find_files find_command=rg,--ignore,--hidden,--files prompt_prefix=🔍

Media

• What is Telescope? (Video)
• More advanced configuration (Video)
• Example video

FAQ

How to change some defaults in built-in functions?

All options available from the setup function (see Configuration options and some other functions can be easily changed in custom pickers or built-in functions.

-- Disable preview for find files
nnoremap <leader>ff :lua require('telescope.builtin').find_files({previewer = false})<CR>

-- Change change prompt prefix for find_files builtin function:
nnoremap <leader>fg :lua require('telescope.builtin').live_grep({ prompt_prefix=🔍 })<CR>
nnoremap <leader>fg :Telescope live_grep prompt_prefix=🔍<CR>

How to change Telescope Highlights group?

There are 10 highlight groups you can play around with in order to meet your needs:

highlight TelescopeSelection      guifg=#D79921 gui=bold " selected item
highlight TelescopeSelectionCaret guifg=#CC241D " selection caret
highlight TelescopeMultiSelection guifg=#928374 " multisections
highlight TelescopeNormal         guibg=#00000  " floating windows created by telescope.

" Border highlight groups.
highlight TelescopeBorder         guifg=#ffffff
highlight TelescopePromptBorder   guifg=#ffffff
highlight TelescopeResultsBorder  guifg=#ffffff
highlight TelescopePreviewBorder  guifg=#ffffff

" Used for highlighting characters that you match.
highlight TelescopeMatching       guifg=blue

" Used for the prompt prefix
highlight TelescopePromptPrefix   guifg=red

To checkout the default values of the highlight groups, checkout plugin/telescope.vim

How to add autocmds to telescope prompt ?

TelescopePrompt is the prompt Filetype. You can customize the Filetype as you would normally.

Contributing

All contributions are welcome! Just open a pull request. Please read CONTRIBUTING.md