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Hline provides real-time filtering of your command history using case-insensitive substring matching. As you type, the list updates instantly to show only matching commands.

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Entering search mode

Press / in normal mode to activate search mode. The status bar at the bottom changes to show your search query. 
# Before pressing /
Filter: no filter | Sort: Recency (newest-first)

# After pressing / and typing "git"
Filter: git | Sort: Recency (newest-first)

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How search works

Search uses case-insensitive substring matching. The query you type is matched against the full text of each command in your history.

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Case-insensitive matching

All searches ignore case, so these queries produce identical results:
  • git status
  • GIT STATUS
  • Git Status
  • gIt StAtUs

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Substring matching

The query can match anywhere in the command: 
# Query: "test"
# Matches:
rake test
npm run test:unit
find . -name test.txt
pytest tests/

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Multi-word queries

You can search for multiple words. The entire query string is treated as a single substring: 
# Query: "git push"
# Matches:
git push origin main
git push --force-with-lease

# Does NOT match:
git commit -m "push changes"

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Editing the search query

While in search mode, you can edit your query using these keybindings:
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Backspace
key
Delete one character
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Ctrl+w
key
Delete the last word (removes trailing whitespace first, then deletes back to the previous whitespace)
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Ctrl+Backspace
key
Same as Ctrl+w (delete last word)
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Ctrl+u
key
Clear the entire query

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Word deletion example

# Query: "docker run --rm"
# Press Ctrl+w once
docker run 

# Press Ctrl+w again
docker 

# Press Ctrl+w again
(empty query)

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Exiting search mode

Press Esc or Enter to exit search mode and return to normal mode. Your filter remains active until you clear it or enter a new search. 
# In search mode with query "git"
Filter: git | Sort: Recency (newest-first)

# After pressing Esc
Filter: git | Sort: Recency (newest-first)
# Still filtered, but back in normal mode

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Clearing the filter

To remove an active filter, you have two options:
  1. In search mode: Press Ctrl+u to clear the query, then press Esc or Enter
  2. From normal mode: Press / to enter search mode, then Ctrl+u to clear, then Esc or Enter

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Search with selection

Filtering and selection work together:
  • Selections persist: Selected commands remain selected even when filtered out of view
  • Select all filtered: Press a in normal mode to select only the currently visible (filtered) commands
  • Copy respects selection: Press y to copy all selected commands, regardless of the current filter

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Example workflow

# 1. Filter for git commands
/git

# 2. Exit search mode
Esc

# 3. Select all visible git commands
a

# 4. Clear the filter to see all commands again
/
Ctrl+u
Esc

# 5. Filter for docker commands
/docker
Esc

# 6. Select additional docker commands
Space (on each command)

# 7. Copy all selected commands (both git and docker)
y

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Performance

Search is optimized for speed:
  • ASCII queries use byte-level case-insensitive matching
  • Unicode queries use standard string lowercase comparison
  • Results update on every keystroke with no perceptible delay
You can search through thousands of history entries instantly.

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