Exploring Command Line Utility QRENCODE

QR codes have become ubiquitous in our digital landscape, serving as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. While they are most commonly used for storing URLs, their versatility extends far beyond that. QR codes can also be employed to save notes in various text formats.

One of the standout utilities for generating QR codes from the command line is qrencode, created by Kentaro Fukuchi. This powerful tool allows users to easily convert text, URLs, or any other data into a scannable QR code.

Installation and Compatibility

qrencode can be easily installed on Linux systems through package managers like apt or yum. But what if you're a Windows user? A version of qrencode compiled with Mingw64-w64 GCC exists, allowing it to run smoothly on Windows systems, even from PowerShell.

To install qrencode on Windows, open the Mingw64 Terminal and update the database:

   pacman -Syu

then type the following command:

   pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-qrencode 

Generating QR Codes in Vim

One of the most convenient features of qrencode is its integration with text editors like Vim, explored in the video below.

The Vim9script below defines a custom command in Vim that generates a QR code from the hyperlink currently under the cursor.

    vim9script 

    command -nargs=0 QrCode QrCode()

    def QrCode(): void
        var cword = expand('<cWORD>')
        var cmd =   'powershell -Command "qrencode -t UTF8 ' .. shellescape(cword) .. '"'    
        execute 'silent! r! ' .. cmd
    enddef

It is also possible to generate a QR code that encodes the entire buffer. For instance, if you want to create a QR code that represents the summary of a larger text, you can directly run qrencode using the Spawn command included in the Dispatch plugin. This allows you to capture the entire content of the buffer and generate a QR code that encapsulates all the information within it.

The QR code below contains a summary of this note and is readable by scanning it with a good QR code reader.

qrencode utility is a remarkable tool that simplifies the process of generating QR codes from the command line. Its ease of use, cross-platform compatibility, and ability to integrate seamlessly with text editors like Vim make it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their digital workflow. Whether you're storing URLs, notes, or other information, qrencode is a must-have utility for your toolkit.