Description

This RFC proposes adding reverse search support in the REPL. The basic idea is to enable entering a search mode in order to more efficiently cycle through previous commands. Currently, in order to run a previous command, one must hit the UP arrow key until finding the command. This RFC proposes enabling a mode where you can filter history to more quickly find a matching command.

This behavior is currently enabled in the built-in Node.js REPL and matches that found in ZSH.

For references better explaining the expected behavior, see below.

Related Issues

• General search API: [RFC]: add a search API to the REPL #2059
  • This RFC is related, but not the same. [RFC]: add a search API to the REPL #2059 concerns searching for functionality and documentation, while this RFC concerns efficient previous command lookup.

Questions

• How would multi-line commands be handled?

Other

• Node.js: https://nodejs.org/api/repl.html#reverse-i-search
  • readline: add reverse search nodejs/node#24335
  • repl: add reverse search nodejs/node#31006
• Julia: https://docs.julialang.org/en/v1/stdlib/REPL/index.html#Search-modes-1

Checklist

• I have read and understood the Code of Conduct.
• Searched for existing issues and pull requests.
• The issue name begins with RFC:.