ps - Enhanced Process Status

The ps module extends the standard process viewing capability by adding interactive TUI features and the ability to export process snapshots in structured data formats like JSON and CSV.

When to Activate

• When the user wants to browse processes using an interactive UI (FZF or CSV app).
• When exporting current process lists to JSON, CSV, or TSV for scripting.
• When converting legacy ps aux output into structured data formats.

Core Principles & Rules

• Interactive Exploration: Use fz for a fast, searchable TUI experience.
• Data Exporting: Prioritize --json or --csv when the user intends to process the data with other tools (like jq).
• Piping Compatibility: Can consume output from standard ps commands and transform it.

Patterns & Examples

Interactive UI

# View processes in a searchable interactive TUI
x ps fz

Export to JSON

# Output current process information as a JSON array
x ps --json

Data Transformation

# Convert a specific ps command output to CSV
ps -ef | x ps --tocsv

Checklist

• Confirm if the user needs an interactive view or a static data export.
• Verify the desired output format (JSON, CSV, TSV).
• Ensure specific ps flags are used if narrowing down the process list.