Finally, a Fast Fuzzy File Finder for Neovim

If you've spent any time in Neovim, you know the file finder is a critical part of your workflow. You want it to be fast, intuitive, and not get in your way. While there are several great options out there, sometimes you just want something that feels snappy and minimal, without a mountain of dependencies. That's where fff.nvim comes in.

This new plugin promises exactly what its name suggests: a fast, fuzzy file finder. It's built with a focus on performance and a clean, straightforward experience. Let's see what it's all about.

What It Does

fff.nvim is a minimalist fuzzy file finder plugin for Neovim. You trigger it with a simple command, start typing part of a filename or path, and it quickly filters your project's files. Select the file you want, hit enter, and you're there. It's the core file navigation task, stripped down to be as efficient as possible.

Why It's Cool

The appeal here is in the philosophy. fff.nvim is built to be lean. It's written in Lua, tailored for modern Neovim, and aims for minimal overhead. This focus often translates to a noticeably quick response, especially when scanning larger directories.

It also embraces Neovim's built-in capabilities. Instead of relying on external binaries like fd or rg (though it can be configured to use them for even more speed), it can use pure Lua/Vimscript for its searching. This makes it a great, self-contained option that works out of the box.

The interface is clean and stays true to the Neovim aesthetic. It presents results in a familiar floating window or split, and the fuzzy matching feels natural. It doesn't try to manage your entire workspace or graft on a dozen extra features—it finds files, and it does it fast.

How to Try It

Getting started is straightforward if you use a package manager like lazy.nvim or packer.nvim.

For example, with lazy.nvim:

{
  'dmtrKovalenko/fff.nvim',
  config = function()
    require('fff').setup()
  end
}

For packer.nvim:

use {
  'dmtrKovalenko/fff.nvim',
  config = function()
    require('fff').setup()
  end
}

After installing, you can map the :Fff command to a keybinding that suits your flow. Check out the GitHub repository for more detailed setup instructions, configuration options, and the full command reference.

Final Thoughts

fff.nvim is a solid entry in the file finder space. It won't replace the powerhouse features of some more established tools for everyone, but its speed and simplicity are its biggest selling points. If you've felt other finders are a bit heavy, or if you're crafting a minimal Neovim config and want a native-feeling plugin, fff.nvim is definitely worth a try. It's the kind of tool that does one job and aims to do it exceptionally well.

Follow for more cool projects: @githubprojects