compopt

Enable filenames completion for a completion function

$ compopt -o filenames

$ compopt -o dirnames

$ compopt +o default

$ compopt -o nospace

$ compopt +o nospace

$ compopt -o filenames [command_name]

compopt [-o option] [-DE] [+o option] [name...]

compopt is a Bash builtin command used within programmable completion functions to modify completion behavior dynamically. It allows completion functions to change options based on context or arguments.
When called without arguments inside a completion function, compopt modifies the options for the current completion. When command names are provided, it modifies the completion specification for those commands, similar to complete -o.
This command is essential for creating sophisticated completion functions that adapt their behavior based on what's being completed. For example, a function might enable filename completion only when the user is completing a file path argument.

-o OPTION

Enable the specified completion option.

Disable the specified completion option.

Apply to default completion (when no specific completion is defined).

Apply to empty command completion (completion on empty line).

Apply to initial word completion.

Perform filename completion and processing (escaping, trailing slash).

Perform directory name completion.

Do not append a space after completion.

Use default readline completion if no matches.

Use bash default completions if no matches.

Add directory names to completions.

compopt only works within the context of programmable completion. It must be called from a completion function or when specifying named commands. Using compopt outside a completion context with no command names specified will produce an error.

compopt was introduced in Bash 4.0, released in 2009. It was added to provide dynamic control over completion options, complementing the existing complete builtin which sets static completion specifications. This enabled more context-aware completion functions.

complete(1), compgen(1), bash(1)