TouchFS Touch Command

The touchfs touch command provides an explicit way to mark files for content generation, equivalent to using the standard touch command within a TouchFS filesystem.

Usage

touchfs touch [options] file [file ...]

Options

• -p, --parents: Create parent directories as needed

  # Example: Create file in new directory structure
  touchfs touch src/components/Button.tsx -p
  

• -f, --force: Skip confirmation for non-touchfs paths

  # Example: Skip confirmation prompts
  touchfs touch README.md --force
  

• --debug-stdout: Enable debug output to stdout

  # Example: Debug touch operations
  touchfs touch app.py --debug-stdout
  

• -m, --max-tokens: Maximum number of tokens to include in context

  # Example: Limit context size
  touchfs touch README.md --max-tokens 4000
  

Key Features

1. Sets the generate_content xattr on files to mark them for generation
2. Interactive mode for directory-based file creation
3. Context-aware filename suggestions
4. Handles multiple files in a single command
5. Creates parent directories with --parents flag

Common Use Cases

Basic File Marking

# Mark a single file for generation
touchfs touch README.md

# Mark multiple files
touchfs touch app.py tests/test_app.py

Interactive Directory Mode

# Enter interactive mode for a directory
touchfs touch src/components

# This will:
# 1. Generate filename suggestions based on directory context
# 2. Display an interactive menu for selection
# 3. Allow multiple selections
# 4. Option to regenerate suggestions

Project Structure Creation

# Create and mark multiple related files
touchfs touch -p \
  src/models/user.py \
  src/models/product.py \
  tests/test_models.py

Non-TouchFS Usage

# Mark files outside TouchFS filesystem
touchfs touch --force external/file.txt

# Create with parent directories
touchfs touch -p -f new/project/setup.py

Context Generation

The command automatically builds context from the parent directory of the first specified file. This context is used for:

1. Generating filename suggestions in interactive mode
2. Understanding project structure for marking files
3. Ensuring consistent file organization

# Files will be marked with awareness of existing project context
touchfs touch \
  src/components/NewFeature.tsx \  # Context from src/components/
  src/hooks/useNewFeature.ts \     # Uses same context
  tests/NewFeature.test.tsx        # Uses same context

Interactive Mode Features

When a single directory is provided as an argument, the command enters interactive mode:

1. Filename Suggestions:

   • Generates contextually relevant filename suggestions
   • Based on directory contents and structure
   • Updates suggestions based on previous selections

2. Selection Menu:

   • Multiple file selection support
   • Option to regenerate suggestions
   • Easy navigation and selection interface

3. Iterative Creation:

   • Can select multiple files in sequence
   • Maintains context between selections
   • Allows for organized file structure creation

Error Handling

• Creates empty files if marking fails
• Returns success (0) even if some paths fail, matching touch behavior
• Provides detailed error messages with --debug-stdout
• Warns about non-touchfs paths
• Prompts for parent directory creation when needed

Key Differences from Generate Command

The touch command differs from the generate command in several ways:

1. Marking vs Generation: Only marks files for generation rather than generating content immediately
2. TouchFS Integration: Designed to work within TouchFS filesystems
3. Interactive Mode: Provides interactive directory-based file creation
4. Filename Suggestions: Generates contextual filename suggestions
5. Extended Attributes: Sets filesystem extended attributes for TouchFS processing

See Also

• TouchFS Main Documentation
• Mount Command
• Generate Command
• Context Command