pathPicker method

String? pathPicker(String prompt, { Directory? startDirectory, bool showHidden = false, bool allowFiles = false, int maxVisible = 18, })

Launches the dynamic path picker for selecting directories (and optional files).

This picker renders a live-updating list of the current directory using DynamicListPrompt, pinning the active path in the header and keeping directories ordered above files. Pass startDirectory to control the entry point, showHidden to surface dot folders, allowFiles when you want to confirm files in addition to directories, and tune maxVisible to fit the terminal height.

Returns the absolute path chosen by the user, or null if the prompt is dismissed.

Example:

final projectRoot = terminice.pathPicker(
  'Select project root',
  startDirectory: Directory.current,
  allowFiles: false,
);
if (projectRoot != null) {
  print('Working in $projectRoot');
}

Implementation

String? pathPicker(
  String prompt, {
  Directory? startDirectory,
  bool showHidden = false,
  bool allowFiles = false,
  int maxVisible = 18,
}) {
  final theme = defaultTheme;
  Directory current = startDirectory ?? Directory.current;
  String? selectedPath;

  final promptObj = DynamicListPrompt<_Entry>(
    title: prompt,
    theme: theme,
    maxVisible: maxVisible,
  );

  final result = promptObj.run(
    buildItems: () => _readEntries(current, showHidden, allowFiles),
    onPrimary: (entry, index) {
      switch (entry.type) {
        case _EntryType.up:
          current = Directory(entry.path);
          return DynamicAction.rebuildAndReset;
        case _EntryType.confirmDir:
          selectedPath = current.path;
          return DynamicAction.confirm;
        case _EntryType.directory:
          current = Directory(entry.path);
          return DynamicAction.rebuildAndReset;
        case _EntryType.file:
          if (allowFiles) {
            selectedPath = entry.path;
            return DynamicAction.confirm;
          }
          return DynamicAction.none;
      }
    },
    onSecondary: (entry, index) {
      if (current.parent.path != current.path) {
        current = current.parent;
        return DynamicAction.rebuildAndReset;
      }
      return DynamicAction.none;
    },
    beforeItems: (ctx) {
      ctx.headerLine('Path', shortPath(current.path));
      ctx.writeConnector();
    },
    renderItem: (ctx, entry, index, isFocused) {
      final arrow = ctx.lb.arrow(isFocused);
      ctx.highlightedLine('$arrow ${entry.label}', highlighted: isFocused);
    },
  );

  if (result == null) return null;
  return selectedPath;
}