mf

Create or touch a file, optionally set its permissions and open it directly in edit or code.

FilesVersion 1.2.2Stable
lil-terminal

Overview

mf is a compact bridge between filesystem preparation and editing: create or touch a file, optionally set its mode, then hand it directly to edit or code when those modules are installed.

Create a file ready for the next step

mf is useful at the start of a workflow: create the file, optionally set permissions, then hand it straight to edit or code.

Syntax

lil-terminal
mf <file> [-MODE|-m MODE|-edit|-code]

Reference

mf <file>

create a file (or update its modification time)

mf <file> -0644

create (or touch) the file and set octal permissions

mf <file> -m 0644

set permissions in UNIX mode format (with the mode option)

mf <file> -edit @edit

create (or touch) the file and open it in the text editor

mf <file> -code @code

create (or touch) the file and open it in the Code Editor

Workflow

The editor options combine filesystem preparation and the next editing step without duplicating editor logic: mf creates or touches the file, then delegates to edit or code.

Safety

The parent directory must already exist. Directories are never replaced by files. Editor handoff is available only when the corresponding module is installed. After a normal successful change mf returns the compact flat view of the current directory.

Interactive sandbox preview

Run the prepared examples directly on the page. Their results are prebuilt and shown in the browser; no terminal command is executed on the server.

Create a file (or update its modification time)

Install and manage

Install the current compatible version. Choose Base for the complete feature set or Minimum for the reduced package; use upgrade to update a module that is already installed.

Base and Minimum are two packages of the same current module release, not separate command versions.

Base package

Install the complete package with local command reference and every published mode.

install mf
Minimum package

Install the reduced package. Local reference is omitted; help <cmd> -i opens the current server reference.

install mf -m
Exact public version

Install exactly this published version.

install mf -v 1.2.2
Check or update

Ask upgrade to check compatibility and replace the installed block only when needed.

upgrade mf
Remove module

Remove the extension block while leaving the core and unrelated modules intact.

install mf -u

Examples

Examples are copyable command lines, not actions executed by this website. Review paths, permissions and destructive flags before running them on a real project.

Create a file (or update its modification time)
cd \sandbox\tmp | mf notes.txt | code $
tmp/
notes.txt created; $ now points to it
code $ opens the new file
Create (or touch) the file and set octal permissions
mf report.txt -0644
tmp/
Set permissions in UNIX mode format (with the mode option)
mf private.txt -m 0600
tmp/
(private.txt created; mode 0600)
Create (or touch) the file and open it in the text editor
mf draft.txt -edit
editor  tmp/draft.txt
mode    text
new     yes
Create (or touch) the file and open it in the Code Editor
mf script.php -code
editor  tmp/script.php
mode    php
new     yes
Create a file (or update its modification time)
mf missing/notes.txt
Directory not found: missing

File used in this example: sandbox/tmp/README.txt

The example uses a file or directory from the protected /sandbox/ documentation workspace.

lil-terminal sandbox temporary workspace

Commands in the public documentation use this directory for disposable copies,
archives, uploads and files created during examples. Review destructive commands
before running them and restore the sandbox from the release package when needed.

Related documentation

How are filesystem operations protected? →Why are large files or outputs limited? →

Current public release

v1.2.22026-08-14

Core-compatible active-file creation

Current stable release of mf. Create or touch a file, optionally set its permissions and open it directly in edit or code.

# Version history