How to Use TAB to Auto Complete Directory on Midnight Commander for Windows

[cricrazy]

Since Tab key is already assigned to switch panels. I cannot use TAB key to auto complete for directory when I do cd c:\users\...

I looked around, there may be a way to edit keymap or config file, but I don't know how to do that, and most help out there is for Linux.

Can someone help, please? Thanks.

[adamy]

raised ticket on github.

[cricrazy]

Thanks @adamy.

[adamy]

build-224. https://github.com/adamyg/mcwin32/issues/16

[cricrazy]

@adamy, i checked out the issue ticket. Does it have a 'Tab' functionality for auto complete implemented? Do I need to build it to test it out? Sorry, I am not a very savvy with building? I would really appreciate if you give me some directions and I can do a thorough testing.

Thank you for the update.

[adamy]

installer available
either: https://sourceforge.net/projects/mcwin32/files/
or; https://github.com/adamyg/mcwin32/releases/tag/4.8.27.244

ESC, then TAB (<.5 sec after) .. equiv to <alt-tab></alt-tab>

[cricrazy]

@adamy, I downloaded and installed the MC. When I try to auto complete, using ESC + TAB. It does not register ESC, it just changes the panel using TAB key. ESC + TAB does not bring autocomplete list (for example, cd c:\users\a<esc+tab>)</esc+tab>

My MC version shows 4.8.24.

[adamy]

Configuration Options: [ x ] Complete: show all
Config version:
$ mc --version
GNU Midnight Commander 4.8.27

please confirm installation as build-224

[cricrazy]

Here is version info.

$ mc --version
GNU Midnight Commander 4.8.24
Built with GLib 2.51.4
Built with S-Lang 3.0.0 libw32 with terminfo database
With builtin Editor
With mouse support on xterm
With internationalization support
With multiple codepages support
Virtual File Systems:
cpiofs, tarfs, sfs, extfs, ftpfs, sftpfs
Data types:
char: 8; int: 32; long: 32; void *: 32; size_t: 32; off_t: 32;

[cricrazy]

@adamy, sorry, I realized that I downloaded build-223 installer. I updated it to 224. Now I can see the same build and 4.8.27. But when I try to use ESC + Tab, it beeps, but does not do anything.

[cricrazy]

@adamy, sorry for multiple messages. I think MC does not recognize backward slash () for the directories. When I tried to use forward slash (/), it works. For example,

cd c:\Us[ESC+Tab] - does not work
cd c:/Us[ESC+Tab] - works. -> c:\Users

https://imgur.com/a/l6m5VMw

Is there a way to have Tab as the auto completion, rather than ESC + Tab? I understand that Tab is used to switch panel selection. But I see that CTRL + Tab already does that. In fact, Ctrl+Tab is a more native windows behavior. (For example, browsers can switch tabs using Ctrl+Tab).

Also, is there a way to stop the Beep sound when it does not work. I have a headset on and it was pretty annoying.

Really appreciate your time. It has been very helpful.

[adamy]

Internally mc understands unix paths better then win/dos;
shall visit completion logic there might be quick win.

Beep/alerts are fixed logic paths within the completion and other mc components, a visual-bell option may be possible yet would be for all alert conditions. FYI/ within the last release, both the beep freq and duration were reduced.

[cricrazy]

@adamy, I can live with Unix style of paths. But I would really appreciate if you can take a look into 'Tab' as a completion logic. We can add it as an experimental feature, in one of the options setting to enable it, if that is possible.

Regarding the beep, does it use some beep wav file or some kind of sound file? can we just replace it with muted or low volume beep sounds? Just wondering.
Thanks.

[adamy]

Keys can be remapping via the --keymap option, see the "mc.default.keymap" for details.
for example remaps Complete and ChangePanel events.

[filemanager]
ChangePanel = ctrl-i
[input]
Complete = tab

Beep is currently fixed.

[adamy]

build-225, visible bell options

[cricrazy]

@adamy, I installed build-225. I disabled the Audible from Display Bits > Console Alert Mode. I have not heard much beeps since there.

But with this build225, I lost the autocompletion feature with ESC + Tab.

I also updated my mc.default.keymap as below. at appropriate places. But even Tab is not working as intended. It is still use for panel changing.

[filemanager]
ChangePanel = ctrl-i
[input]
Complete = tab

[adamy]

build-225, obeys the "Esc key mode" setting, under "Configuration", as such only when enabled shall <esc-xxx> mappings be processed;, try 60000 for example.</esc-xxx>

mc.default.keymap is not imported, plus any changes shall overwritten on an install.
Advice you use either use the --keymap command line option or MC_KEYMAP env-var,
create your own/supplemental file and state using an absolute path with a * .keyname* extension.

[cricrazy]

@adamy, awesome. I was able to enable to all the settings. Here I am attaching screenshots for all the features for anyone else's use.

1. Enable Esc key mode
   • Allows it to autocomplete using Esc + Tab key.
2. Change Keymap for Auto completion to Tab using custom mc.keymap file
   • Add mc.keymap in your c:\users\username\midnight commander\ folder.
   • Add the text as described in the screenshot below.
3. Disable beeps