Fisher is a plugin manager for the Fish shell (The Friendly Interactive SHell). It simplifies the process of installing and managing plugins, allowing users to extend the functionality of Fish and customize their command-line experience. Fisher provides a convenient way to install plugins either by name or through a managed “fishfile” for bundled installs.
Here are some key features and functionalities of Fisher:
- Plugin Management: Fisher enables users to easily install, update, and remove plugins for Fish. Plugins are add-ons that enhance the shell’s capabilities, providing features like custom prompts, auto-completion functions, syntax highlighting, and more. With Fisher, users can discover and install plugins from various sources without the need for manual installation or configuration.
- Installation by Name: Fisher allows users to install plugins by their specific names. Users can simply specify the name of the plugin they want to install, and Fisher takes care of downloading and setting up the plugin in the appropriate location within the Fish shell’s configuration directory.
- fishfile Support: Fisher supports the use of a “fishfile” for managing bundled plugin installations. A fishfile is a configuration file where users can specify a list of plugins and their versions to be installed. With a fishfile, users can easily recreate their desired plugin setup on different machines or share it with others, ensuring consistency across different environments.
- Dependency Management: Fisher can handle plugin dependencies, automatically resolving and installing any required dependencies for a plugin. This simplifies the installation process and ensures that all necessary components are in place for the plugin to function correctly.
- Plugin Updates: Fisher provides a convenient way to update installed plugins. It can check for updates to installed plugins and easily install the latest versions, ensuring users have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
- Plugin Uninstallation: Fisher allows users to easily remove installed plugins when they are no longer needed. This helps keep the plugin environment clean and avoids any conflicts or clutter caused by unused plugins.
- Plugin Discovery: Fisher provides a repository of available Fish plugins, making it easier for users to discover new plugins. Users can explore the repository to find plugins that match their specific needs and interests, expanding the capabilities of their Fish shell.
- Integration with Fish Configuration: Fisher seamlessly integrates with the Fish shell’s configuration, ensuring that installed plugins are loaded and functional when launching the shell. It takes care of managing the necessary configuration files and settings, making the installation and usage of plugins hassle-free.
fisher Command Examples
1. Install one or more plugins:
# fisher plugin1 plugin2
2. Install a plugin from a GitHub gist:
# fisher gist_url
3. Edit ‘fishfile’ manually with your favorite editor and install multiple plugins:
# editor ~/.config/fish/fishfile; fisher
4. List installed plugins:
# fisher ls
5. Update plugins:
# fisher update
6. Remove one or more plugins:
# fisher remove plugin1 plugin2
Summary
In summary, Fisher is a plugin manager for the Fish shell that simplifies the process of installing, managing, and updating plugins. With features like installation by name, fishfile support, dependency management, plugin discovery, and integration with Fish configuration, Fisher makes it easy for users to enhance their Fish shell with additional functionality and customize their command-line environment.