Select multiple files in long path (filename completion in brace expansion?)

Question

Sometimes I want to run a command, as arguments to this command I want to supply multiple files that are located in a folder deep in the file system hierarchy, eg:

command /this/is/a/long/path/foobar /this/is/a/long/path/quux

I was hoping I could use brace expansion, and sure, this works:

command /this/is/a/long/path/{foobar,quux}

However, the filenames can be long and I would like to use filename completion (TAB-key) but it doesn't seem to work inside braces, any ideas?

Answer 1

A little workaround: in Bash, [Ctrl]+u deletes from the beginning of the commandline until the cursor, and puts it in memory, [Ctrl]+y "yanks" (paste) it back.

So assuming you want to run the command ls and give it as arguments files from the ./deep/below/directory/ , you could:

1) start by entering the long dir name, preceded by a space (this will saves a few keystrokes later): ./deep/below/directory/ (you can use [Tab] as needed), followed by [Ctrl]+u, which will delete it and keep it in memory (note: you do have to use './' at the beginning of the directory name if it's a relative path, otherwise bash won't autocomplete the directory names at the beginning of the commandline)

2) then type the command (and its options) followed by a space : ex: ls -alFtr

3) use [Ctrl]+y to yank the long dir name here, and then type the beginning of the filename you seek, and use [tab] as you usually do to autocomplete its name (the cut directory name is still in memory, ready to be reused)

4) repeat step 3) as many times as necessary

5) [Enter]

Long to type, but much faster to use ^^, try it!