prompt-toolkit / prompt-toolkit/python-prompt-toolkit

Using multiple lexers in prompts?

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Dominant language
Python
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Description

I need a prompt where users can input text in multiple languages, say Python and Bash, and I want it to be highlighted accordingly while the user is typing. Detecting the languages is pretty easy with Python and Bash ASTs (using bashlex). But I wonder how to implement some mechanism for switching lexers dynamically? In principle xonsh should be doing exactly that. I'd be grateful for specific advice, though. Maybe it's also an interesting feature to add to the docs.

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Research direction

Start by reviewing prompt-toolkit's lexer and prompt APIs, then compare the approach used by xonsh and the bashlex AST reference mentioned in the issue. Done would require a documented, supported way to switch lexers dynamically while text is being entered, with any needed examples or tests.

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Assessment

Tech stack
bash, python
Domain
cli
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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