deprecate

They are just too risky to promote because people might create
dependencies on them. Something is either exported and public or it's
not.

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Bash Template Command
 
+*I no longer use this using [Bonzai][] instead. But it does have some good bash tricks to keep around including self-completion.*
+
+[Bonzai]: <https://github.com/rwxrob/bonzai>
+
+----
+
 *This `README.md` is autogenerated.*
 
 This is a GitHub template repo that will be copied instead of forked to
@@ -11,17 +17,102 @@ gh repo create rwxrob/mycmd -p rwxrob/template-bash-command
 
 This `cmd` inside can then be renamed and finished.
 
-Obviously, not all of this is needed for many Bash scripts, but anything
-with more than two subcommands will benefit from the builtin tab
-completion, embedded Markdown help documentation support, and included
-functions (`usage`, `_filter`, `_buffer`, `_have`, etc.)
-
 ## Naming Conventions
 
 * Name repos containing single bash commands with `cmd-`
 * Name template repos beginning with `template-`
-* Start command functions with `command_` to be completed
-* Start command functions with `command__` to not be completed
+* Start command functions with `x.` to be completed
+* Name `CONF` accessors with `x.` and full path
+* Use dot (`.`) pathing in `CONF` key names
+
+Think of `x` as in "executable" command.
+
+> ⚠️
+> Note that all versions of Vim current have a bug that does not allow
+> dot (`.`) to be included in the function name even though it is
+> explicitly allowed by bash. So you may have to add `.` to your
+> `/usr/share/vim/vim82/syntax/sh.vim` file anywhere a function name
+> expression is defined. I have yet to isolate it out and override it in
+> my own `.vimrc`. It is a minimal edit.
+
+## Builtins and Utilities
+
+A number of builtin and frequently used utility functions have been
+included for convenience. These save developers from adding other
+moronic things like `sed` and `awk` subprocesses. Obviously, not all of
+this is needed for many Bash scripts. Just remove what you do not need
+or want. 
+
+### `_initialize`
+
+The `_initialize` function is meant to contain initialization code and
+be placed at the beginning of the script to be found easily even though
+it is called at the bottom of the script (as bash requires). It is
+passed the arguments that are passed to the script itself. This function can be omitted.
+
+### `_alternatives`
+
+The `_alternatives` function (usually placed after `_initialize`
+provides a hook for dealing with alternative arguments to those that
+identify commands (`x.*`). If the first argument to the script does not
+match a command function then this function will be called before the
+default `x.usage` command allowing shortcuts and other argument
+alternatives and intelligent sensing of what command function is wanted
+by simply examining the argument list. This can be useful when you wish
+to provide shortcuts for longer commands but do not want to clutter the
+command usage and completion list. For example, `zet dex.titles` could
+be trapped in `_alternatives` to call `zet titles`. 
+
+### `_have`
+
+Returns true (0) if the first argument exists as an executable in the
+current `PATH`. Otherwise, return false (1).
+
+### `_checkdep`
+
+Checks that the first argument exists as an executable in the current
+`PATH`. If so, returns true (0). If not, prints a generic error message
+in English and returns false (1).  The "progressive enhancement" design
+principle requires minimal functionality using what is available and
+progressively upgrading based on what is detected.
+
+### `_newest`
+
+Uses `ls` to return the newest file or directory in the specified
+directory.
+
+### `_trim`
+
+Removes all whitespace (`[:space:]`) from the beginning and ending
+of a string without invoking a subprocess.
+
+### `_filter`
+
+Reads the first argument or each line of standard input passing
+each individually as the first argument to the calling function one at
+a time. The UNIX philosophy requires all commands be filters whenever possible.
+
+### `_buffer`
+
+Reads the first argument or all lines of standard input and then
+passes them to the calling function as the first argument. The UNIX philosophy requires all command be filters whenever possible.
+
+### `_reduce`
+
+Takes the name of an array and a bash extended regular expression
+and prints only the array entries that match, one to a line suitable for
+converting back into an array with `IFS=$'\n'` or just as an in-memory
+`grep` replacement.
+
+### `_jsonstr`
+
+Encodes first argument or all standard input into a single line of JSON text. This function depends on the `jq` command.
+
+### `_urlencode`
+
+Encodes the first argument or all standard input using standard URL
+encoding suitable for passing to `curl` or whatever. This function has
+no external dependencies.
 
 ## Dependencies
 
@@ -36,7 +127,7 @@ Optional:
 
 ## Justification
 
-Bash is the dominate shell scripting language and the official default
+Bash is the dominant shell scripting language and the official default
 Linux interactive shell, which reduces cognitive overhead; every command
 line *is* a line of code that could be put into script as is. Bash
 scripts are at the core of cloud, containers, and Kubernetes. Bash 4+
@@ -60,11 +151,17 @@ more powerful, safer, flexible, and performant than POSIX shell or Zsh.
 
 [`shellcheck`]: <https://www.shellcheck.net>
 
+## Security
+
+This script is expected to be installed for a specific user and only
+ever run by that user. No additional security vetting for running as an
+untrusted user has been done.
+
 ## Legal
 
 Copyright 2021 Rob Muhlestein <rob@rwx.gg>  
 Released under Apache-2.0 License  
-Please mention <https://rwxrob.tv>
+Please mention rwxrob.tv
 
 ## The `bar` Command
 
@@ -80,28 +177,56 @@ Bar the things.
 cmd config
 cmd config KEY
 cmd config KEY VALUE
+cmd config KEY ""
+cmd config keys
+cmd config val[ues]
+cmd config dir[ectory]
+cmd config path [file]
+cmd config edit [file]
+cmd config del[ete]
 ```
 
 The `config` command is for reading, writing, and displaying standard
-open desktop configurations properties. 
+open desktop configuration properties. Pass an empty string to delete
+a property.
 
 ### Arguments
 
 With no arguments outputs all the currently cached configuration
-settings. 
+settings.
 
 With a single KEY argument fetches the value for that key and outputs
-it.
+it unless it is one of the following special (reserved) key names:
+
+* `dir*` full path to config directory
+* `path` full path to specific config file (default: `values`) 
+* `edit` opens config file in editor (default: `editor` or `$EDITOR)
+* `keys` output the configuration keys, one per line
+* `val*` output the configuration values, one per line
+* `del*` if key argument then delete a specific key, otherwise prompt
 
 With more than one argument the remaining arguments after the KEY will
-be combined into the VALUE and written to the `config` file in the
-standard configuration home location (Search for `XDG_CONFIG_HOME` for
-more information).  
+be combined into the VALUE and written to a `values` file in the
+configuration directory. 
 
-### Configuration `config` File Format
+### Configuration Directory
 
-The file (which is always named `config` and almost always located at
-`~/.config/cmd/config`) uses the simplest possible format to
+The configuration directory path relies on the following environment
+variables:
+
+* `EXE` - defaults to name of currently running command (cmd)
+* `HOME` - checked for `$HOME/.config/$EXE/values`
+* `XDG_CONFIG_HOME` - overrides `$HOME/.config`
+* `CONFIG_DIR` - full path to directory containing `values` file
+
+The `CONFIG_DIR` always takes priority over anything else if set, but is
+never implied. If the directory does not exist it will be created the
+first time a value is set.
+
+### Configuration `values` File Format
+
+The file (which is almost always located at
+`~/.config/cmd/values`) uses the simplest possible format to
 facilitate standard UNIX parsing and filtering with any number of
 existing tools (and no `jq` dependency).
 
@@ -133,18 +258,6 @@ to `$PAGER` (default: more).
 
 Also see `readme` and `usage` commands.
 
-## Convert to JSON String
-
-```
-cmd json STRING
-cmd json <<< STRING
-cmd json < FILE
-cmd json < <(COMMAND)
-```
-
-Converts input into JSON string using `jq` (if found) containing only
-escaped (`\n`) line returns.
-
 ## Generate `README.md` File
 
 ```
@@ -155,11 +268,15 @@ The `readme` command will output the embedded help documentation in raw
 GitHub Flavored Markdown suitable for use as a `README.md` file on
 GitHub or similar hosting service.
 
+## The `some.config.setting` Command
+
+Get and set `some.config.setting`.
+
 ## The `usage` Command
 
 Displays a summary of usage.
 
 ----
 
-*Autogenerated Mon Aug 23 10:14:22 PM EDT 2021*
+*Autogenerated Sat Dec 18 11:13:17 AM EST 2021*
 

cmd

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#!/bin/bash
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
 # shellcheck disable=SC2016
 set -e
 # export PATH="/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin" # safer, if you can
@@ -9,10 +9,30 @@ set -e
 : "${EDITOR:=vi}"
 : "${HELP_BROWSER:=}"
 : "${EXE:="${0##*/}"}"
-: "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:="$HOME/.config"}"
 
 declare -A HELP
-declare -A CONFIG
+declare -A CONF
+
+# declare black=$'\e[30m'
+# declare red=$'\e[31m'
+# declare green=$'\e[32m'
+# declare yellow=$'\e[33m'
+# declare blue=$'\e[34m'
+# declare magenta=$'\e[35m'
+# declare cyan=$'\e[36m'
+# declare white=$'\e[37m'
+# declare reset=$'\e[0m'
+
+_initialize() {
+  : # put initialization code here
+}
+
+_alternatives() {
+  # put alternative argument possibilities here
+  if [[ $CMD = f ]];then
+    x.foo "$@"
+  fi
+}
 
 HELP[main]='
 # Bash Template Command
@@ -28,17 +48,102 @@ gh repo create rwxrob/mycmd -p rwxrob/template-bash-command
 
 This `cmd` inside can then be renamed and finished.
 
-Obviously, not all of this is needed for many Bash scripts, but anything
-with more than two subcommands will benefit from the builtin tab
-completion, embedded Markdown help documentation support, and included
-functions (`usage`, `_filter`, `_buffer`, `_have`, etc.)
-
 ## Naming Conventions
 
 * Name repos containing single bash commands with `cmd-`
 * Name template repos beginning with `template-`
-* Start command functions with `command_` to be completed
-* Start command functions with `command__` to not be completed
+* Start command functions with `x.` to be completed
+* Name `CONF` accessors with `x.` and full path
+* Use dot (`.`) pathing in `CONF` key names
+
+Think of `x` as in "executable" command.
+
+> ⚠️
+> Note that all versions of Vim current have a bug that does not allow
+> dot (`.`) to be included in the function name even though it is
+> explicitly allowed by bash. So you may have to add `.` to your
+> `/usr/share/vim/vim82/syntax/sh.vim` file anywhere a function name
+> expression is defined. I have yet to isolate it out and override it in
+> my own `.vimrc`. It is a minimal edit.
+
+## Builtins and Utilities
+
+A number of builtin and frequently used utility functions have been
+included for convenience. These save developers from adding other
+moronic things like `sed` and `awk` subprocesses. Obviously, not all of
+this is needed for many Bash scripts. Just remove what you do not need
+or want. 
+
+### `_initialize`
+
+The `_initialize` function is meant to contain initialization code and
+be placed at the beginning of the script to be found easily even though
+it is called at the bottom of the script (as bash requires). It is
+passed the arguments that are passed to the script itself. This function can be omitted.
+
+### `_alternatives`
+
+The `_alternatives` function (usually placed after `_initialize`
+provides a hook for dealing with alternative arguments to those that
+identify commands (`x.*`). If the first argument to the script does not
+match a command function then this function will be called before the
+default `x.usage` command allowing shortcuts and other argument
+alternatives and intelligent sensing of what command function is wanted
+by simply examining the argument list. This can be useful when you wish
+to provide shortcuts for longer commands but do not want to clutter the
+command usage and completion list. For example, `zet dex.titles` could
+be trapped in `_alternatives` to call `zet titles`. 
+
+### `_have`
+
+Returns true (0) if the first argument exists as an executable in the
+current `PATH`. Otherwise, return false (1).
+
+### `_checkdep`
+
+Checks that the first argument exists as an executable in the current
+`PATH`. If so, returns true (0). If not, prints a generic error message
+in English and returns false (1).  The "progressive enhancement" design
+principle requires minimal functionality using what is available and
+progressively upgrading based on what is detected.
+
+### `_newest`
+
+Uses `ls` to return the newest file or directory in the specified
+directory.
+
+### `_trim`
+
+Removes all whitespace (`[:space:]`) from the beginning and ending
+of a string without invoking a subprocess.
+
+### `_filter`
+
+Reads the first argument or each line of standard input passing
+each individually as the first argument to the calling function one at
+a time. The UNIX philosophy requires all commands be filters whenever possible.
+
+### `_buffer`
+
+Reads the first argument or all lines of standard input and then
+passes them to the calling function as the first argument. The UNIX philosophy requires all command be filters whenever possible.
+
+### `_reduce`
+
+Takes the name of an array and a bash extended regular expression
+and prints only the array entries that match, one to a line suitable for
+converting back into an array with `IFS=$'"'\\\n'"'` or just as an in-memory
+`grep` replacement.
+
+### `_jsonstr`
+
+Encodes first argument or all standard input into a single line of JSON text. This function depends on the `jq` command.
+
+### `_urlencode`
+
+Encodes the first argument or all standard input using standard URL
+encoding suitable for passing to `curl` or whatever. This function has
+no external dependencies.
 
 ## Dependencies
 
@@ -53,7 +158,7 @@ Optional:
 
 ## Justification
 
-Bash is the dominate shell scripting language and the official default
+Bash is the dominant shell scripting language and the official default
 Linux interactive shell, which reduces cognitive overhead; every command
 line *is* a line of code that could be put into script as is. Bash
 scripts are at the core of cloud, containers, and Kubernetes. Bash 4+
@@ -77,15 +182,21 @@ more powerful, safer, flexible, and performant than POSIX shell or Zsh.
 
 [`shellcheck`]: <https://www.shellcheck.net>
 
+## Security
+
+This script is expected to be installed for a specific user and only
+ever run by that user. No additional security vetting for running as an
+untrusted user has been done.
+
 ## Legal
 
 Copyright 2021 Rob Muhlestein <rob@rwx.gg>  
 Released under Apache-2.0 License  
-Please mention <https://rwxrob.tv>'
+Please mention rwxrob.tv'
 
 HELP[foo]='Foos things.'
 
-command_foo() {
+x.foo () {
   _filter "$@" && return $?
   echo "would foo: $*"
 }
@@ -98,37 +209,33 @@ HELP[bar]='
 
 Bar the things.'
 
-command_bar() {
+x.bar() {
   _buffer "$@" && return $?
   echo "would bar: $*"
 }
 
-HELP[json]='
-## Convert to JSON String
+HELP[some.config.setting]='Get and set `some.config.setting`.'
 
-```
-'"$EXE"' json STRING
-'"$EXE"' json <<< STRING
-'"$EXE"' json < FILE
-'"$EXE"' json < <(COMMAND)
-```
-
-Converts input into JSON string using `jq` (if found) containing only
-escaped (`\\n`) line returns.'
-
-command_json() { _jsonstr "$@"; }
-
-command__hidden() {
-  _filter "$@" && return $?
-  echo "would run _hidden: $*"
+x.some.config.setting() {
+  x.config some.config.setting "$@"
 }
 
-# ------------------ builtin commands and functions ------------------
-#          (https://github.com/rwxrob/template-bash-command)
+############################## BOILERPLATE ###########################
+## Everything from here to the end of file can be snipped and updated
+## with latest from https://github.com/rwxrob/template-bash-command.
 
-HELP[usage]='Displays a summary of usage.'
+# ------------------------------- usage ------------------------------
 
-command_usage() {
+HELP[usage]='
+
+```
+'"$EXE"' usage
+```
+
+Display all possible commands. Note that this is usually easier by
+simply using tab completion instead.'
+
+x.usage() {
   local -a cmds
   for c in "${COMMANDS[@]}"; do
     [[ ${c:0:1} =~ _ ]] && continue
@@ -138,6 +245,8 @@ command_usage() {
   printf "usage: %s (%s)\n" "$EXE" "${cmds[*]}"
 }
 
+# ------------------------------- help -------------------------------
+
 HELP[help]='
 
 ```
@@ -155,18 +264,20 @@ to `$PAGER` (default: more).
 Also see `readme` and `usage` commands.
 '
 
-command_help() { 
-  local name="${1:-main}" title body
+x.help() { 
+  local name="${1:-main}" title body file
   title=$(_help_title "$name") || true
   if [[ -z "$title" ]]; then
-    body="${HELP[$name]}"
     title="$EXE $name"
-    [[ $name = main ]] && title="$EXE"
+    [[ $name == main ]] && title="$EXE"
+  fi
+  if [[ $name == main ]]; then
+    body=$(x.readme)
+    body=${body#*$title}
   else
     body="${HELP[$name]}"
-    body=${body#*$title}
   fi
-  local file="/tmp/help-$EXE-$name.html"
+  file="/tmp/help-$EXE-$name.html"
   if _have pandoc ; then
     if _have "$HELP_BROWSER" && [[ -t 1 ]] ;then
       pandoc -f gfm -s --metadata title="$title" \
@@ -181,6 +292,18 @@ command_help() {
   echo -e "$title\n\n$body" | "$PAGER"
 }
 
+_help_title() {
+  _filter "$@" && return $?;
+  local name="$1"
+  while IFS= read -r line; do
+    [[ $line =~ ^[:space]*$ ]] && continue
+    [[ $line =~ ^#\ (.+) ]] && echo "${BASH_REMATCH[1]}" && return 0
+    return 1
+  done <<< "${HELP[$name]}"
+}
+
+# ------------------------------ readme ------------------------------
+
 HELP[readme]='
 ## Generate `README.md` File
 
@@ -192,7 +315,7 @@ The `readme` command will output the embedded help documentation in raw
 GitHub Flavored Markdown suitable for use as a `README.md` file on
 GitHub or similar hosting service.'
 
-command_readme() {
+x.readme() {
   _trim "${HELP[main]}"
   echo
   while IFS= read -r name; do
@@ -204,34 +327,69 @@ command_readme() {
   echo -e "----\n\n*Autogenerated $(date)*\n"
 }
 
+# ------------------------------ config ------------------------------
+
 HELP[config]='
 
 ```
 '"$EXE"' config
 '"$EXE"' config KEY
-'"$EXE"' config KEY VALUE
+'"$EXE"' config.set KEY VALUE
+'"$EXE"' config.set KEY ""
+'"$EXE"' config.keys
+'"$EXE"' config.values
+'"$EXE"' config.directory
+'"$EXE"' config.path [file]
+'"$EXE"' config.edit [file]
+'"$EXE"' config.delete
+'"$EXE"' config.read
+'"$EXE"' config.write
+'"$EXE"' config.dump
 ```
 
 The `config` command is for reading, writing, and displaying standard
-open desktop configurations properties. 
+open desktop configuration properties. 
 
 ### Arguments
 
-With no arguments outputs all the currently cached configuration
-settings. 
+With no arguments calls `dump` and outputs all the currently cached
+configuration settings.
 
 With a single KEY argument fetches the value for that key and outputs
-it.
+it unless it is one of the following special (reserved) key names:
+
+* `directory` full path to config directory
+* `path`   full path to specific config file (default: `values`) 
+* `edit`   opens config file in editor (default: `editor` or `$EDITOR)
+* `keys`   output the configuration keys, one per line
+* `values` output the configuration values, one per line
+* `delete` if key argument then delete a specific key, otherwise prompt
+* `read` reads the configuration file into CONF associative array
+* `write` write the CONF associative array to the configuration file
+* `dump` write the flattened CONF associative array to standard output
 
 With more than one argument the remaining arguments after the KEY will
-be combined into the VALUE and written to the `config` file in the
-standard configuration home location (Search for `XDG_CONFIG_HOME` for
-more information).  
+be combined into the VALUE and written to a `values` file in the
+configuration directory. 
 
-### Configuration `config` File Format
+### Configuration Directory
 
-The file (which is always named `config` and almost always located at
-`~/.config/'"$EXE"'/config`) uses the simplest possible format to
+The configuration directory path relies on the following environment
+variables:
+
+* `EXE` - defaults to name of currently running command ('"$EXE"')
+* `HOME` - checked for `$HOME/.config/$EXE/values`
+* `XDG_CONFIG_HOME` - overrides `$HOME/.config`
+* `CONFIG_DIR` - full path to directory containing `values` file
+
+The `CONFIG_DIR` always takes priority over anything else if set, but is
+never implied. If the directory does not exist it will be created the
+first time a value is set.
+
+### Configuration `values` File Format
+
+The file (which is almost always located at
+`~/.config/'"$EXE"'/values`) uses the simplest possible format to
 facilitate standard UNIX parsing and filtering with any number of
 existing tools (and no `jq` dependency).
 
@@ -239,53 +397,126 @@ existing tools (and no `jq` dependency).
 * KEYs may be anything but the equal sign (`=`)
 * VALUEs may be anything but line returns must be escaped
 
-Note that this is *not* the same as Java properties and other similar
-format. It is designed for ultimate simplicity, efficiency, and
-portability.'
+Note that, although similar, this is *not* the same as Java properties
+and other similar format. It is designed for ultimate simplicity,
+efficiency, and portability.'
 
-command_config() {
+x.config() {
   case $# in
-    0) _dump_config ;; 
-    1) printf "${CONFIG[$1]}" ;;
-    *) _set_config "$@" ;;
+    0) x.config.dump ;;
+    1) x.config.get "$@" ;;
+    *) x.config.set "$@" ;;
   esac
 }
 
-_help_title() {
-  _filter "$@" && return $?;
-  local name="$1"
-  while IFS= read -r line; do
-    [[ $line =~ ^[:space]*$ ]] && continue
-    [[ $line =~ ^#\ (.+) ]] && echo "${BASH_REMATCH[1]}" && return 0
-    return 1
-  done <<< "${HELP[$name]}"
+x.config.edit() {
+  : "${CONF[editor]:="${EDITOR:=vi}"}"
+  exec "${CONF[editor]}" "$(x.config.path "${1:-values}")"
 }
 
-_set_config() {
+x.config.delete() {
+  if [[ -z "$1" ]];then
+    select key in "${!CONF[@]}"; do
+      x.config.delete "$key"
+      return $? 
+    done
+  fi
+  x.config.set "$1" ''
+}
+
+x.config.keys() { printf "%s\n" "${!CONF[@]}"; }
+
+x.config.values() { printf "%s\n" "${CONF[@]}"; }
+
+x.config.dir() {
+  local dir="$HOME/.config/$EXE"
+  [[ -n "$XDG_CONFIG_HOME" ]] && dir="$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/$EXE" 
+  [[ -n "$CONFIG_DIR" ]] && dir="$CONFIG_DIR"
+  [[ -n "$1" ]] && echo "$dir/$1" && return 0
+  printf "%s" "$dir"
+  [[ -t 1 ]] && echo
+  return 0
+}
+
+x.config.path() { 
+  local file=${1:-values}
+  printf "%s/%s" "$(x.config.dir)" "$file"
+  [[ -t 1 ]] && echo
+  return 0
+}
+
+x.config.set() {
   local key="$1"; shift; local val="$*"
   val="${val//$'\n'/\\n}"
-  CONFIG["$key"]="$val"
-  _write_config
+  CONF["$key"]="$val"
+  x.config.write
 }
 
-_read_config() {
-  local path="$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/$EXE/config"
+x.config.get() { 
+  printf "%s" "${CONF[$1]}"
+  [[ -t 1 ]] && echo
+  return 0
+}
+
+x.config.read() {
+  local values="$(x.config.path)"
+  [[ -r "$values" ]] || return 0
   while IFS= read -r line; do
     [[ $line =~ ^([^=]+)=(.+)$ ]] || continue
-    CONFIG["${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"]="${BASH_REMATCH[2]}"
-  done < "$path"
+    CONF["${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"]="${BASH_REMATCH[2]}"
+  done < "$values"
 }
 
-_write_config() {
-  local path="$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/$EXE/config"
-  mkdir -p "${path%/config}"
-  _dump_config > "$path"
+x.config.write() {
+  local dir="$(x.config.dir)"
+  mkdir -p "$dir"
+  x.config.dump > "$dir/values"
 }
 
-_dump_config() {
+x.config.dump() {
+  (( ${#CONF[@]} == 0 )) && return 0
   paste -d=\
-    <(printf "%s\n" "${!CONFIG[@]}") \
-    <(printf "%s\n" "${CONFIG[@]}")
+    <(printf "%s\n" "${!CONF[@]}") \
+    <(printf "%s\n" "${CONF[@]}") \
+  | sort
+}
+
+# ----------------------------- utilities ----------------------------
+
+_jsonstr() {
+  _checkdep jq || return $?
+  _buffer "$@" && return $?
+  jq -MRsc <<< "$1"
+}
+
+_urlencode() {
+  _buffer "$@" && return $?
+  local string="$1"
+  local strlen=${#string}
+  local encoded=""
+  local pos c o
+  for ((pos = 0; pos < strlen; pos++)); do
+    c=${string:$pos:1}
+    case "$c" in
+    [-_.~a-zA-Z0-9]) o="$c" ;;
+    *) printf -v o '%%%02x' "'$c'" ;;
+    esac
+    encoded+="$o"
+  done
+  echo "$encoded"
+}
+
+_reduce() {
+  local -n name="${1:?"name of array required"}"
+  while IFS= read -r key; do
+    [[ $key =~ $2 ]] && echo "$key"
+  done < <(printf "%s\n" "${name[@]}")
+}
+
+_newest() {
+  IFS=$'\n'
+  mapfile -t f < <(ls -1 --color=never -trd "${1:-.}"/* 2>/dev/null)
+  [[ ${#f} > 0 ]] && echo "${f[-1]}"
 }
 
 _trim() {
@@ -293,13 +524,16 @@ _trim() {
   echo -e "${it%"${it##*[![:space:]]}"}"
 }
 
-_jsonstr() {
-  _buffer "$@" && return $?
-  jq -MRsc <<< "$1"
-}
+_join() { local IFS="$1"; shift; echo "$*"; }
 
 _have(){ type "$1" &>/dev/null; }
 
+_checkdep() {
+  _have "$1" && return 0
+  echo "'$EXE' depends on '$1' for this, but not found"
+  return 1
+}
+
 _filter(){
   [[ -n "$1" ]] && return 1
   while IFS= read -ra args; do
@@ -312,12 +546,32 @@ _buffer() {
   "${FUNCNAME[1]}" "$(</dev/stdin)"
 }
 
+_prompt() {
+  local key="$1" def="$2" regx="$3" value first=yes
+  shift 3
+  local text="${*:-Enter value for %s [%s]: }"
+  [[ -z "$key" ]] && echo "Missing prompt key" >&2 && return 1
+  [[ -z "$regx" ]] && echo "Missing valid regx" >&2 && return 1
+  while [[ ! $value =~ $regx ]];do
+    printf "$text" "$key" "$def" >&2
+    IFS= read -r value
+    [[ -z "$value" ]] && value="$def"
+    [[ $value =~ ^\ +$ ]] && value=""
+    [[ -n "$first" ]] && unset first && continue
+    echo "Must match /$regx/" >&2
+  done
+  _trim "$value"
+}
+
 # --------------------- completion and delegation --------------------
-#         (better than . <(foo bloated_completion) in .bashrc)
+#      `complete -C foo foo` > `source <(foo bloated_completion)`
+
+x.config.read
+_have _initialize && _initialize "$@"
 
 while IFS= read -r line; do
-  [[ $line =~ ^declare\ -f\ command_ ]] || continue
-  COMMANDS+=( "${line##declare -f command_}" )
+  [[ $line =~ ^declare\ -f\ x\. ]] || continue
+  COMMANDS+=( "${line##declare -f x.}" )
 done < <(declare -F)
 mapfile -t COMMANDS < \
   <(LC_COLLATE=C sort < <(printf "%s\n" "${COMMANDS[@]}"))
@@ -325,28 +579,32 @@ mapfile -t COMMANDS < \
 if [[ -n $COMP_LINE ]]; then
   line=${COMP_LINE#* }
   for c in "${COMMANDS[@]}"; do
-    [[ ${c:0:${#line}} == "${line,,}" && ${c:0:1} != _ ]] && echo "$c"
+    [[ ${c:0:${#line}} == "${line,,}" ]] && echo "$c"
   done
   exit
 fi
 
 for c in "${COMMANDS[@]}"; do
   if [[ $c == "$EXE" ]]; then
-    "command_$EXE" "$@"
+    "x.$EXE" "$@"
     exit $?
   fi
 done
 
-_read_config
-
 if [[ -n "$1" ]]; then
-  declare cmd="$1"; shift
+  declare CMD="$1"; shift
   for c in "${COMMANDS[@]}"; do
-    if [[ $c == "$cmd" ]]; then
-      "command_$cmd" "$@"
+    declare cmd=$(command -v "x.$c")
+    if [[ $c == "$CMD" && -n "$cmd" ]]; then
+      "x.$CMD" "$@"
       exit $?
     fi
   done
 fi
 
-command_usage "$@"
+if _have _alternatives; then
+  _alternatives "$@" 
+  exit $?
+fi
+
+x.usage "$@"