zoxide Cheatsheet

Q: How does zoxide differ from the original 'z' tool?

zoxide is a Rust rewrite that is significantly faster, more portable, and actively maintained. It uses a more sophisticated scoring algorithm combining frecency (frequency + recency). It also supports interactive selection with fzf (zi) and has a proper query API.

Q: How do I add zoxide to my shell?

Add `eval "$(zoxide init bash)"` (replace bash with your shell) to your .bashrc/.zshrc/.config/fish/config.fish. Then restart your shell. The z and zi commands will be available immediately.

Q: How do I migrate from autojump or the original z?

Use `zoxide import /path/to/data` to import history. For z, the data file is typically at ~/.z or set via $_Z_DATA. For autojump, the data file is at ~/.local/share/autojump/autojump.txt.

zoxide is a smarter cd command that learns your habits and lets you jump to frequently-used directories with just a few keystrokes. Fuzzy matching, interactive selection, and native shell integration. 38K+ GitHub Stars, supports every major shell.

Updated: 2026-07-20·18 commands

Quick Start

``bash z projects # Jump to best-matching directory z my project # Multi-keyword search zi # Interactive selection (fzf) zoxide add /opt/myapp # Manually add a directory eval "$(zoxide init zsh)" # Enable in your shell`

`Install & Setup`

Get zoxide installed and integrated with your shell.

`bash # Install (via package manager) curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ajeetdsouza/zoxide/main/install.sh | bash # Or: brew install zoxide, winget install zoxide, etc.

# Add to your shell config (bash) echo 'eval "$(zoxide init bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc

# Add to your shell config (zsh) echo 'eval "$(zoxide init zsh)"' >> ~/.zshrc

# Add to fish echo 'zoxide init fish | source' >> ~/.config/fish/config.fish

# Migrate from original z or autojump zoxide import ~/.z`

`Basic Usage`

Jump around your filesystem with minimal keystrokes.

`bash z projects # Fuzzy jump to ~/work/projects z myproject # Jump to ~/src/myproject z my project # Multi-keyword: matches ~/my_projects z foo/bar # Sub-path matching zoxide add . # Add current directory to database zoxide add /opt/myapp # Add a specific directory zoxide remove /tmp/old # Remove a directory from database`

`Interactive Mode`

Use fzf-powered interactive selection when fuzzy matching returns too many options.

`bash zi # Interactive directory picker zi docs # Interactive, filtered to "docs" matches zoxide query -i work # Interactive query mode`

`Query Options`

Query the database directly without jumping.

`bash zoxide query docs # Print best match for "docs" (no jump) zoxide query -l project # List all matches for "project" zoxide query -i work # Interactive query using fzf zoxide query -exclude /tmp project # Exclude a directory from query`

`Configuration`

Customize zoxide's behavior to fit your workflow.

`bash # Use a different command name (e.g., 'j' instead of 'z') eval "$(zoxide init zsh --cmd j)"

# Don't register default commands (manual setup) eval "$(zoxide init zsh --no-cmd)"

# Set custom database path export _Z_DATA=$HOME/.zoxide_db

# Use with fish zoxide init fish | source

# Use with PowerShell iex (zoxide init powershell | Out-String)`

`Expert Tips`

`bash # Jump to the second-best match (when you want the other one) z foo bar

# Combine with fzf for advanced filtering z foo | fzf --preview 'ls -la {1}'

# Add multiple directories at once find . -type d -maxdepth 1 | xargs -I{} zoxide add {}

# Export and backup your database cp "$(_Z_DATA:-$HOME/.local/share/zoxide/db.zo)" ~/zoxide_backup.zo

# Use in scripts without interactive mode cd "$(zoxide query -l project | head -1)"``

Basic Usage(8)

Command	Level	Example
`z --help` Show zoxide help	Basic	`z --help`
`z DIR` Jump to the best matching directory	Basic	`z projects`
`z foo bar` Match directory with multiple keywords	Basic	`z my project`
`zi` Interactively select a directory (fzf-based)	Basic	`zi`
`z foo/bar` Match using sub-path	Basic	`z work/project`
`zoxide add PATH` Manually add a directory to the database	Basic	`zoxide add /home/user/projects/myapp`
`zoxide remove PATH` Remove a directory from the database	Basic	`zoxide remove /tmp/old-project`
`zoxide add .` Add current directory to database	Basic	`zoxide add .`

Query Options(4)

Command	Level	Example
`zoxide query KEYWORD` Query matching directories (no jump)	Basic	`zoxide query docs`
`zoxide query -l KEYWORD` List all matching directories (sorted by score)	Intermediate	`zoxide query -l project`
`zoxide query -exclude PATH` Exclude a directory from query results	Expert	`zoxide query -exclude /tmp project`
`zoxide query -i KEYWORD` Interactive query (select with fzf)	Intermediate	`zoxide query -i work`

Install & Setup(3)

Command	Level	Example
`zoxide init SHELL` Initialize zoxide integration for a shell	Basic	`zoxide init zsh`
`eval "$(zoxide init SHELL)"` Enable zoxide in .bashrc/.zshrc	Basic	`eval "$(zoxide init zsh)"`
`zoxide import PATH` Import history from z (autojump, z.lua)	Intermediate	`zoxide import /path/to/z/data`

Configuration(3)

Command	Level	Example
`zoxide init SHELL --cmd j` Use a custom command name (e.g. j instead of z)	Intermediate	`zoxide init zsh --cmd j`
`zoxide init SHELL --no-cmd` Do not register default z/zi commands	Expert	`zoxide init zsh --no-cmd`
`export _Z_DATA=PATH` Specify z-compatible database path	Intermediate	`export _Z_DATA=$HOME/.zoxide_db`

FAQ

How does zoxide differ from the original 'z' tool?

How do I add zoxide to my shell?

How do I migrate from autojump or the original z?

This cheatsheet is compiled from official tool documentation. Last updated: 2026-07-20.