Global Options

Global Options answer the question “Which repository/context?” They configure jj’s own environment rather than the command being run, and must precede the command on the shell (e.g., jj --repository ../other log).

The Global Options Modal

Because these options are distinct from command-specific flags, they live in an isolated modal:

1. Press g to open the Global Options Modal — available from the composer, Output, Docs, or Command Bar (including enlarged Output/Docs views), but not while focused in the Inputs Pane.
2. The modal splits into a Checklist on the left and Option Docs on the right.
3. Use h / l (or ← / →) to move between checklist selection and scrolling the option’s detailed help.
4. Press Space to select global options.
5. Press Esc or g again to close the modal and return to your previous composer state. Note: q quits Jutsu entirely from inside the modal, the same as it does elsewhere — it does not just close the modal.

Global Options That Require Values

If a global option requires a value (e.g., --config), you do not type it inside the modal. Instead:

1. Toggle the option with Space and close the modal (Esc or g).
2. Closing the modal returns focus to your last composer pane — it does not automatically jump into the Inputs Pane, and g cannot be used to reopen the modal while inputs are focused.
3. Press i yourself to enter the Inputs Pane (available from any non-Inputs, non-enlarged view), where a new input field for the option has been dynamically created alongside the command’s normal inputs. This keeps all text values visible at once.

Pinned Indicators and Command Splicing

Once a global option is selected, Jutsu provides clear visual indicators to remind you that your environment is modified:

• Teal Pinned Rows (◆): Active global options are pinned directly to the top of the standard Flags Pane with a teal ◆ prefix, staying visible even if you scroll down a long list of command flags.
• Spliced Command String: The Command Bar automatically splices active global options before the subcommand, matching jj’s precise command-line interface — jj --repository ../my-repo log instead of jj log --repository ../my-repo.

Related Topics

• Inputs — where global option values are typed.
• Flags — command-specific flags, as distinct from global options.
• Inputs and Global Options — a scenario demonstrating targeting another repository with a global option.