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Jutsu

Inputs

Inputs answer the question “What values are needed?” They supply the text arguments and flag values that commands and flags require.

The Inputs Pane

Section titled “The Inputs Pane”

The Inputs Pane is a dynamic field row that automatically opens at the bottom of the composer when your composed command requires additional text parameters (e.g., a message for jj describe or a target revision for jj rebase).

Press i from any non-Inputs, non-enlarged view (composer panes, non-enlarged Output/Docs, or the Command Bar) to jump directly into the Inputs Pane when a command or flag requires a value. i is unavailable while Inputs is already focused (it types the letter “i” instead) and while an enlarged Output or Docs view is showing.

Entering and Navigating Inputs

Section titled “Entering and Navigating Inputs”
  1. Direct Typing: Once active, your keyboard focus shifts entirely to typing. The cursor flashes within the first active input field.
  2. Field Navigation:
    • Use ↑ / ↓ to move focus between different input fields (e.g., moving from a flag’s value field to a positional argument field).
    • Press Enter to cycle down to the next field (wrapping back to the top field if you are on the last one). Note: Pressing Enter in the Inputs Pane does not execute the command; it is reserved for field switching.
  3. Applying Inputs: Once finished, press Tab to validate your inputs and focus the Command Bar.
  4. Canceling / Backing Out: Press Esc at any time to discard focus from the inputs and return to the main composer. Your text entries are preserved so you can jump back in easily.

Required-Field Validation & the Validation Flash

Section titled “Required-Field Validation & the Validation Flash”

To prevent you from running incomplete commands that would error out in the shell, Jutsu enforces structural input validation:

  • If a selected flag has RequiresInput enabled but you leave the field empty, attempting to move to the Command Bar with Tab triggers a validation flash instead of moving focus.
  • The entire Inputs Pane border flashes bright red for 400 milliseconds, and the command cannot proceed to the Command Bar until you either fill in the required field or deselect the flag. Esc still backs you out of the Inputs Pane at any time — the flash blocks advancing via Tab, not leaving the pane.

Global Option Values

Section titled “Global Option Values”

If an active Global Option requires a value (e.g., --config <key=value>), its field appears in the same unified Inputs Pane alongside the command’s own inputs — you do not type it inside the Global Options modal.

Section titled “Related Topics”