Selection

Visual mode, multi-selection, and cross-directory selection in Yazi

Yazi provides multiple ways to select files for batch operations.

Quick Selection

Toggle Individual Files

<Space>  # Toggle selection on current file and move to next

This is the fastest way to select multiple files:

• Moves cursor down automatically after toggling
• Works in normal mode
• Can be pressed multiple times rapidly

Visual Mode

Yazi implements Vim-style visual selection with two modes:

Select Mode

v  # Enter visual mode (select mode)

In select mode:

• Move the cursor with j/k to expand selection
• Selected files are added to the selection set
• Use any navigation command to select ranges

1. Enter select mode

   Press v on the starting file

2. Expand selection

   Use j/k or other navigation keys to select more files

3. Exit visual mode

   Press <Esc> to exit and keep the selection

Unset Mode

V  # Enter visual mode (unset mode)

Unset mode works inversely:

• Files in the range are deselected
• Useful for removing files from an existing selection

Example workflow:

# Select all files
<C-a>

# Enter unset mode to deselect a range
V
5j  # Deselect 5 files
<Esc>

Select All Operations

Bulk Selection Commands

Key	Command	Description
<C-a>	toggle_all --state=on	Select all files in current directory
<C-r>	toggle_all	Invert selection (toggle all)

Select All

<C-a>  # Select all files

Selects every file in the current directory. Useful for:

• Batch operations on entire directories
• Starting point for unset mode to exclude specific files

Invert Selection

<C-r>  # Invert selection

Toggles the selection state of all files:

• Selected → Unselected
• Unselected → Selected

Useful when you want to select everything except a few files.

Visual Mode Details

How Visual Mode Works

Yazi’s visual mode is implemented in /home/daytona/workspace/source/yazi-core/src/tab/mode.rs:7:

• Select mode: Mode::Select(start, indices) - Adds files to selection
• Unset mode: Mode::Unset(start, indices) - Removes files from selection
• Normal mode: Mode::Normal - Standard navigation

Exiting Visual Mode

<Esc>  # Exit visual mode and keep selection
<C-[>  # Alternative: Exit visual mode

The selection persists after exiting visual mode, allowing you to:

• Navigate to other directories
• Perform operations on the selected files
• Add more files to the selection later

Cross-Directory Selection

One of Yazi’s powerful features is the ability to select files across multiple directories:

1. Select files in first directory

   <Space>  # Toggle selection on files
   
2. Navigate to another directory

   l  # Enter subdirectory
   # or
   cd /another/path
   
3. Select more files

   <Space>  # Add more files to selection
   
4. Perform operation

   y  # Yank all selected files
   p  # Paste in destination
   

Selected files remain in the selection set even when you navigate away from their directory. This enables complex multi-directory operations.

Selection Indicators

Visual Feedback

Yazi provides clear visual indicators for selection state:

State	Indicator	Description
Selected	Highlighted	File is in the selection set
Visual mode	Different color	Visual mode is active
Cursor	Bright highlight	Current cursor position

Practical Examples

Example 1: Select Specific File Types

# Select all .txt files
f        # Start filter
*.txt    # Filter pattern
<C-a>    # Select all filtered results
<Esc>    # Clear filter (selection persists)

Example 2: Select All Except Few Files

<C-a>    # Select all files
V        # Enter unset mode
3j       # Deselect first 3 files
<Esc>    # Exit visual mode

Example 3: Multi-Directory Batch Move

# In /source/dir1
<Space>  # Select file1
<Space>  # Select file2

# Navigate to another directory
gh       # Go home
l        # Enter another directory
<Space>  # Select file3

# Now move all selected files
x        # Cut all selected files
cd /destination
p        # Paste all files from both directories

Clearing Selection

<Esc>  # Clear selection (when not in visual mode)

The escape key has multiple functions depending on context:

• In visual mode: Exit visual mode (keep selection)
• In normal mode: Clear all selections
• During search: Cancel search

Working with Selected Files

Once files are selected, you can perform any file operation:

• Yank/Cut: y or x
• Delete: d or D
• Open: o or O
• Shell command: ; or :

All operations apply to the entire selection set, regardless of which directory the files are in.