gatopeich · March 10, 2026 10:16
diff --git a/claude-chooser.sh b/claude-chooser.sh
 #!/bin/sh
 # Claude Code Chooser - TUI project picker and launcher for Claude Code
 # Lists recent projects, browse directories, toggle dangerous mode, set extra args,
 # then exec's claude in the chosen directory.
 #
 # https://gist.github.com/gatopeich/2b4e805f44791fc817bc043eb82ecaac
 # Author: gatopeich @ github
 #
 # Recommended: latest kitty + tmux. Uses exec + tmux remain-on-exit so the
 # shell process is replaced by claude and the pane stays open after exit
 # for scrollback review.
 #
 # Tmux integration:
 #   Bind to a key (e.g. Ctrl+F2) in tmux.conf:
 #   bind -n C-F2 split-window -h /path/to/claude-chooser.sh
 #
 # Kitty terminal integration:
 #   # Desktop launcher (~/.local/share/applications/claude-kitty.desktop):
 #   Exec=kitty --class claude-kitty -T "Claude Code" --session ~/.config/kitty/claude-session.conf
 #
 #   # Session file (~/.config/kitty/claude-session.conf) - new tabs also open chooser:
 #   launch /path/to/claude-chooser.sh
 #
 # Optional: set window icon on X11 with xseticon.py:
 #   https://gist.github.com/gatopeich/9d0c61cae0a4e01b23b0afc543c27fbb
 #
 # Requires: dialog, claude, python3 (for session discovery)

 ICON="$HOME/.local/share/icons/claude-code.png"
 EXTRA_FILE="$HOME/.config/claude-chooser-extra-args"

 # Temp file for dialog --file menus
 MENUFILE=$(mktemp)
 trap 'rm -f "$MENUFILE"' EXIT

 # Write a "tag" "description" line to MENUFILE, escaping embedded quotes
 menuline() {
    local tag desc
    tag=$(printf '%s' "$1" | sed 's/"/\\"/g')
    desc=$(printf '%s' "$2" | sed 's/"/\\"/g')
    printf '"%s" "%s"\n' "$tag" "$desc" >> "$MENUFILE"
 }

 # Dialog theme: override color7 (WHITE) to actual white for dialog backgrounds
 printf '\033]4;7;#f0f0f0\007'
 printf '\033]4;15;#ffffff\007'
 export DIALOGRC="$HOME/.config/claude-chooser-dialogrc"

 # First entry: invoking CWD (tmux pane's CWD or $HOME)
 START_DIR=$(tmux display-message -p -t "$TMUX_PANE" '#{pane_current_path}' 2>/dev/null || echo "$HOME")

 # Extract recent project paths from Claude sessions, sorted by most recent session activity
 DIRS=$(echo "$START_DIR"; python3 -c "
 import json, glob, os, sys

 first = sys.argv[1]
 seen = {first}
 for f in sorted(glob.glob(os.path.expanduser('~/.claude/projects/*/*.jsonl')), key=os.path.getmtime, reverse=True):
    try:
        with open(f) as fh:
            for line in fh:
                rec = json.loads(line)
                path = rec.get('cwd') or rec.get('projectPath') or ''
                if os.path.isdir(path) and path not in seen:
                    seen.add(path)
                    print(path)
                    break
        if len(seen) >= 15: break
    except: pass
 " "$START_DIR" 2>/dev/null)

 # Browse directories using dialog menus
 browse_dir() {
    local cur="${1:-$HOME}"
    while true; do
        : > "$MENUFILE"
        menuline ">>> SELECT THIS FOLDER <<<" "$cur"
        menuline ".." "Parent directory"
        for d in "$cur"/*/; do
            [ -d "$d" ] && menuline "$(basename "$d")/" ""
        done
        local pick
        pick=$(dialog --clear --title "Browse: $cur" \
            --menu "Choose directory:" 0 0 0 \
            --file "$MENUFILE" \
            3>&1 1>&2 2>&3) || return 1
        if [ "$pick" = ">>> SELECT THIS FOLDER <<<" ]; then
            echo "$cur"
            return 0
        elif [ "$pick" = ".." ]; then
            cur=$(dirname "$cur")
        else
            cur="$cur/${pick%/}"
        fi
    done
 }

 # State
 DANGEROUS=off
 EXTRA=$(cat "$EXTRA_FILE" 2>/dev/null)

 while true; do
    # Build menu file
    : > "$MENUFILE"
    i=0
    printf '%s\n' "$DIRS" | while IFS= read -r d; do
        [ -n "$d" ] && menuline "$d" "" && i=$((i + 1))
        [ $i -ge 10 ] && break
    done
    menuline "Browse..." ""
    menuline "---" "─────────────────────"
    if [ "$DANGEROUS" = "on" ]; then
        menuline "[X] Dangerous mode" "skip all permissions"
    else
        menuline "[ ] Dangerous mode" "skip all permissions"
    fi
    if [ -n "$EXTRA" ]; then
        menuline "EXTRA" "args: $EXTRA"
    else
        menuline "EXTRA" "args..."
    fi

    PICK=$(dialog --clear --title "Claude Code" \
        --menu "Select project to launch, or toggle options:" 0 0 0 \
        --file "$MENUFILE" \
        3>&1 1>&2 2>&3) || exit 1

    case "$PICK" in
        "---") continue ;;
        *"Dangerous mode")
            [ "$DANGEROUS" = "off" ] && DANGEROUS=on || DANGEROUS=off
            continue ;;
        "EXTRA")
            EXTRA=$(dialog --clear --title "Extra args" \
                --inputbox "Claude arguments (e.g. --continue --model opus):" 8 60 "$EXTRA" \
                3>&1 1>&2 2>&3) || EXTRA=""
            echo "$EXTRA" > "$EXTRA_FILE"
            continue ;;
        "Browse...")
            DIR=$(browse_dir "$HOME") || continue
            break ;;
        *)
            DIR="$PICK"
            break ;;
    esac
 done

 # Restore original terminal colors
 printf '\033]4;7;#6e7781\007'
 printf '\033]4;15;#8c959f\007'
 clear

 CLAUDE_ARGS=""
 if [ "$DANGEROUS" = "on" ]; then
    CLAUDE_ARGS="$CLAUDE_ARGS --dangerously-skip-permissions"
    printf '\033]11;#fcf3cf\007'
    printf '\033]10;#1a1a1a\007'
 fi
 [ -n "$EXTRA" ] && CLAUDE_ARGS="$CLAUDE_ARGS $EXTRA"

 # Set window icon (optional: requires xseticon and xdotool)
 wid=$(xdotool getactivewindow 2>/dev/null) && xseticon "$wid" "$ICON" 2>/dev/null

 DIRNAME=$(basename "$DIR")
 printf '\033]0;Claude on %s\007' "$DIRNAME"
 [ -n "$TMUX_PANE" ] && tmux rename-window -t "$TMUX_PANE" "✳$DIRNAME" 2>/dev/null
 # Remap Ctrl+Z to Ctrl+_ (undo) in panes launched by this script, normal suspend elsewhere
 [ -n "$TMUX_PANE" ] && tmux bind -n C-z if-shell "grep -qw $0 /proc/#{pane_pid}/cmdline" "send-keys C-_" "send-keys C-z"

 # Keep pane open after exit so scrollback is reviewable, then replace shell with claude
 [ -n "$TMUX_PANE" ] && tmux set-option -p -t "$TMUX_PANE" remain-on-exit on
 cd "$DIR" && exec claude $CLAUDE_ARGS
	#!/bin/sh
	# Claude Code Chooser - TUI project picker and launcher for Claude Code
	# Lists recent projects, browse directories, toggle dangerous mode, set extra args,
	# then exec's claude in the chosen directory.
	#
	# https://gist.github.com/gatopeich/2b4e805f44791fc817bc043eb82ecaac
	# Author: gatopeich @ github
	#
	# Recommended: latest kitty + tmux. Uses exec + tmux remain-on-exit so the
	# shell process is replaced by claude and the pane stays open after exit
	# for scrollback review.
	#
	# Tmux integration:
	# Bind to a key (e.g. Ctrl+F2) in tmux.conf:
	# bind -n C-F2 split-window -h /path/to/claude-chooser.sh
	#
	# Kitty terminal integration:
	# # Desktop launcher (~/.local/share/applications/claude-kitty.desktop):
	# Exec=kitty --class claude-kitty -T "Claude Code" --session ~/.config/kitty/claude-session.conf
	#
	# # Session file (~/.config/kitty/claude-session.conf) - new tabs also open chooser:
	# launch /path/to/claude-chooser.sh
	#
	# Optional: set window icon on X11 with xseticon.py:
	# https://gist.github.com/gatopeich/9d0c61cae0a4e01b23b0afc543c27fbb
	#
	# Requires: dialog, claude, python3 (for session discovery)

	ICON="$HOME/.local/share/icons/claude-code.png"
	EXTRA_FILE="$HOME/.config/claude-chooser-extra-args"

	# Temp file for dialog --file menus
	MENUFILE=$(mktemp)
	trap 'rm -f "$MENUFILE"' EXIT

	# Write a "tag" "description" line to MENUFILE, escaping embedded quotes
	menuline() {
	local tag desc
	tag=$(printf '%s' "$1" \| sed 's/"/\\"/g')
	desc=$(printf '%s' "$2" \| sed 's/"/\\"/g')
	printf '"%s" "%s"\n' "$tag" "$desc" >> "$MENUFILE"
	}

	# Dialog theme: override color7 (WHITE) to actual white for dialog backgrounds
	printf '\033]4;7;#f0f0f0\007'
	printf '\033]4;15;#ffffff\007'
	export DIALOGRC="$HOME/.config/claude-chooser-dialogrc"

	# First entry: invoking CWD (tmux pane's CWD or $HOME)
	START_DIR=$(tmux display-message -p -t "$TMUX_PANE" '#{pane_current_path}' 2>/dev/null \|\| echo "$HOME")

	# Extract recent project paths from Claude sessions, sorted by most recent session activity
	DIRS=$(echo "$START_DIR"; python3 -c "
	import json, glob, os, sys

	first = sys.argv[1]
	seen = {first}
	for f in sorted(glob.glob(os.path.expanduser('~/.claude/projects//.jsonl')), key=os.path.getmtime, reverse=True):
	try:
	with open(f) as fh:
	for line in fh:
	rec = json.loads(line)
	path = rec.get('cwd') or rec.get('projectPath') or ''
	if os.path.isdir(path) and path not in seen:
	seen.add(path)
	print(path)
	break
	if len(seen) >= 15: break
	except: pass
	" "$START_DIR" 2>/dev/null)

	# Browse directories using dialog menus
	browse_dir() {
	local cur="${1:-$HOME}"
	while true; do
	: > "$MENUFILE"
	menuline ">>> SELECT THIS FOLDER <<<" "$cur"
	menuline ".." "Parent directory"
	for d in "$cur"/*/; do
	[ -d "$d" ] && menuline "$(basename "$d")/" ""
	done
	local pick
	pick=$(dialog --clear --title "Browse: $cur" \
	--menu "Choose directory:" 0 0 0 \
	--file "$MENUFILE" \
	3>&1 1>&2 2>&3) \|\| return 1
	if [ "$pick" = ">>> SELECT THIS FOLDER <<<" ]; then
	echo "$cur"
	return 0
	elif [ "$pick" = ".." ]; then
	cur=$(dirname "$cur")
	else
	cur="$cur/${pick%/}"
	fi
	done
	}

	# State
	DANGEROUS=off
	EXTRA=$(cat "$EXTRA_FILE" 2>/dev/null)

	while true; do
	# Build menu file
	: > "$MENUFILE"
	i=0
	printf '%s\n' "$DIRS" \| while IFS= read -r d; do
	[ -n "$d" ] && menuline "$d" "" && i=$((i + 1))
	[ $i -ge 10 ] && break
	done
	menuline "Browse..." ""
	menuline "---" "─────────────────────"
	if [ "$DANGEROUS" = "on" ]; then
	menuline "[X] Dangerous mode" "skip all permissions"
	else
	menuline "[ ] Dangerous mode" "skip all permissions"
	fi
	if [ -n "$EXTRA" ]; then
	menuline "EXTRA" "args: $EXTRA"
	else
	menuline "EXTRA" "args..."
	fi

	PICK=$(dialog --clear --title "Claude Code" \
	--menu "Select project to launch, or toggle options:" 0 0 0 \
	--file "$MENUFILE" \
	3>&1 1>&2 2>&3) \|\| exit 1

	case "$PICK" in
	"---") continue ;;
	*"Dangerous mode")
	[ "$DANGEROUS" = "off" ] && DANGEROUS=on \|\| DANGEROUS=off
	continue ;;
	"EXTRA")
	EXTRA=$(dialog --clear --title "Extra args" \
	--inputbox "Claude arguments (e.g. --continue --model opus):" 8 60 "$EXTRA" \
	3>&1 1>&2 2>&3) \|\| EXTRA=""
	echo "$EXTRA" > "$EXTRA_FILE"
	continue ;;
	"Browse...")
	DIR=$(browse_dir "$HOME") \|\| continue
	break ;;
	*)
	DIR="$PICK"
	break ;;
	esac
	done

	# Restore original terminal colors
	printf '\033]4;7;#6e7781\007'
	printf '\033]4;15;#8c959f\007'
	clear

	CLAUDE_ARGS=""
	if [ "$DANGEROUS" = "on" ]; then
	CLAUDE_ARGS="$CLAUDE_ARGS --dangerously-skip-permissions"
	printf '\033]11;#fcf3cf\007'
	printf '\033]10;#1a1a1a\007'
	fi
	[ -n "$EXTRA" ] && CLAUDE_ARGS="$CLAUDE_ARGS $EXTRA"

	# Set window icon (optional: requires xseticon and xdotool)
	wid=$(xdotool getactivewindow 2>/dev/null) && xseticon "$wid" "$ICON" 2>/dev/null

	DIRNAME=$(basename "$DIR")
	printf '\033]0;Claude on %s\007' "$DIRNAME"
	[ -n "$TMUX_PANE" ] && tmux rename-window -t "$TMUX_PANE" "✳$DIRNAME" 2>/dev/null
	# Remap Ctrl+Z to Ctrl+_ (undo) in panes launched by this script, normal suspend elsewhere
	[ -n "$TMUX_PANE" ] && tmux bind -n C-z if-shell "grep -qw $0 /proc/#{pane_pid}/cmdline" "send-keys C-_" "send-keys C-z"

	# Keep pane open after exit so scrollback is reviewable, then replace shell with claude
	[ -n "$TMUX_PANE" ] && tmux set-option -p -t "$TMUX_PANE" remain-on-exit on
	cd "$DIR" && exec claude $CLAUDE_ARGS
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