# Zsh: select generated files with `(om[1])` glob qualifiers

# Zsh: select generated files with `(om[1])` glob qualifiers

**Author:** Adam Johnson
**Date:** 2026-01-27
**Source:** https://adamj.eu/tech/2026/01/27/zsh-om1-glob-qualifiers/

## The Problem

When using memray (a Python memory profiler), the workflow requires three separate commands:

1. Run the profiler: `memray run manage.py check`
2. Generate a flame graph: `memray flamegraph memray-manage.py.60450.bin`
3. Open the result: `open -a Firefox memray-flamegraph-manage.py.60450.html`

Commands 1 and 2 generate files whose names need copying to the next one. The naming pattern is predictable, but the process ID changes with each run.

## The Solution

Zsh glob qualifiers allow you to add filtering syntax to filename patterns. The specific qualifiers `om[1]` mean:

- **o**: sort the matches
- **m**: by modification time (most recent first)
- **[1]**: select only the first result

## Implementation

Instead of manually copying filenames:

```
$ memray flamegraph memray-*.bin(om[1])
```

Collapsing the entire workflow into one command:

```
$ memray run manage.py check && memray flamegraph memray-*.bin(om[1]) && open -a Firefox memray-flamegraph-*.html(om[1])
```