z.lua is a command-line navigation tool that learns your directory habits to help you jump between folders instantly. Instead of typing long paths or traversing directory trees, it tracks your most frequently and recently accessed directories using a frecency algorithm (frequency + recency).

The tool works by recording which directories you visit and how often. After a brief learning phase, typing z foo bar automatically takes you to the most relevant directory matching those patterns—no need to remember full paths or use complex cd commands.

Key advantages:

Exceptional speed: 10x faster than fasd and autojump, 3x faster than z.sh
Wide shell support: Works with bash, zsh, Fish, Nushell, PowerShell, and Windows cmd
Smart matching: Enhanced algorithm ensures you reach the right directory precisely
Interactive mode: Choose your destination with -i flag or integrate with fzf for fuzzy selection
Lightweight: Single self-contained Lua script with no external dependencies
Flexible options: Customize behavior with environment variables for your workflow
Parent directory shortcuts: Quickly navigate up the directory tree without typing multiple ../

The tool maintains a database of your directory visits and automatically ages entries over time, keeping frequently-used paths at the top while gradually deprioritizing older ones. You can exclude specific directories, limit matches to subdirectories, or simply list matches without changing directories.