54.3 Finding Files and URLs at Point

FFAP mode replaces certain key bindings for finding files, including C-x C-f, with commands that provide more sensitive defaults. These commands behave like the ordinary ones when given a prefix argument. Otherwise, they get the default file name or URL from the text around point. If what is found in the buffer has the form of a URL rather than a file name, the commands use browse-url to view it.

This feature is useful for following references in mail or news buffers, ‘README’ files, ‘MANIFEST’ files, and so on. The ‘ffap’ package's commentary available via C-h p under the ‘files’ keyword and the ffap Custom group provide details.

You can turn on FFAP minor mode by calling ffap-bindings to make the following key bindings and to install hooks for using ffap in Rmail, Gnus and VM article buffers.

C-x C-f filename <RET>

Find filename, guessing a default from text around point (find-file-at-point).

C-x C-r

ffap-read-only, analogous to find-file-read-only.

C-x C-v

ffap-alternate-file, analogous to find-alternate-file.

C-x d directory <RET>

Start Dired on directory, defaulting to the directory name at point (dired-at-point).

C-x C-d

ffap-list-directory, analogous to list-directory.

C-x 4 f

ffap-other-window, analogous to find-file-other-window.

C-x 4 r

ffap-read-only-other-window, analogous to find-file-read-only-other-window.

C-x 4 d

ffap-dired-other-window, analogous to dired-other-window.

C-x 5 f

ffap-other-frame, analogous to find-file-other-frame.

C-x 5 r

ffap-read-only-other-frame, analogous to find-file-read-only-other-frame.

C-x 5 d

ffap-dired-other-frame, analogous to dired-other-frame.

M-x ffap-next

Search buffer for next file name or URL, then find that file or URL.

S-Mouse-3

ffap-at-mouse finds the file guessed from text around the position of a mouse click.

C-S-Mouse-3

Display a menu of files and URLs mentioned in current buffer, then find the one you select (ffap-menu).