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Interactive Mode Flags

Documentation for interactive mode flags

Overview

Lixplore offers three interactive modes for easier usage without memorizing command-line flags.

Total Interactive Flags: 3

--tui

Description: Launch enhanced TUI (Text User Interface) mode - the primary interactive interface.

Syntax: 

lixplore --tui

Note: Running lixplore with no arguments does not launch the TUI — it shows a "no source selected" error. The --tui flag is always required.

Type: Boolean flag

Features

  • Split-pane visual interface (article list + detail preview)
  • Real-time arrow-key navigation — no numbered prompts
  • Search across multiple academic databases
  • Browse and annotate articles
  • Statistics dashboard
  • Export to CSV, JSON, BibTeX, RIS, Excel, and EndNote

Examples

Launch TUI: 

lixplore --tui

Key Action
↑ / ↓ (arrow keys) Move highlight
k / j Move highlight (vim-style)
Enter, Space, or → Select highlighted item
1–6 Jump to and select item directly
q / Esc Quit

Article browser navigation

Key Action
↑ / ↓ (arrow keys) Move cursor through articles
k / j Move cursor (vim-style)
n / p Next / previous page
g Jump to article by number (prompted)
Enter or v View full article detail
a Annotate current article
s Toggle selection
e Export selected articles
f Toggle fullscreen preview
b / q / Esc Back

See Interactive TUI Mode for the full guide.

TUI Screens

  1. Search: Enter query and select sources
  2. Results: Browse and select articles
  3. Annotations: Manage annotations
  4. Statistics: View analytics
  5. Export: Export selected items

--shell

Description: Launch interactive shell mode (persistent session).

Status: Deprecated - use --tui instead

Syntax: 

lixplore --shell

Type: Boolean flag

Features

  • Persistent session
  • Command history
  • No need to type 'lixplore' repeatedly
  • Tab completion

Examples

Example 1: Shell Mode 

lixplore --shell

lixplore> search "cancer" -P -m 20
lixplore> annotate 5 --rating 5
lixplore> list annotations
lixplore> export markdown
lixplore> exit

Note: This mode is deprecated. Use --tui for better experience.

--wizard

Description: Launch wizard mode with guided workflows.

Status: Deprecated - use --tui instead

Syntax: 

lixplore --wizard

Type: Boolean flag

Features

  • Step-by-step guided workflows
  • No flags to memorize
  • Interactive prompts
  • Beginner-friendly

Examples

Example 1: Wizard Mode 

lixplore --wizard

What do you want to do?
  1. Search for articles
  2. Annotate an article
  3. View annotations
  4. Export results

Select option: 1

Which sources do you want to search?
  [ ] PubMed
  [ ] Crossref
  [x] arXiv
  ...

Note: This mode is deprecated. Use --tui for better experience.

Best Practices

When to Use Interactive Modes

Use TUI Mode When: - Learning Lixplore for the first time - You prefer visual interfaces - Complex multi-step workflows - Exploring features

Use Command Line When: - Scripting and automation - Quick one-off searches - Integrating with other tools - CI/CD pipelines

Last Updated: 2024-12-28