Datasette 1.0a30 Adds Customizable Jump‑to Menu
Add the jump_items_sql() hook to your plugin to extend the Jump to menu.
Test the new jump_items_sql() hook in your plugin and verify the Jump to menu works as expected.
Summary
Datasette’s latest alpha release, 1.0a30, introduces a fully customizable 'Jump to...' menu that appears when users press the forward slash key.
The new menu automatically filters results by database, table, and debug options as the user types, providing instant navigation across large data sets.
A key enhancement is the jump_items_sql() plugin hook, which lets developers add their own searchable items to the menu without modifying core code.
This hook accepts SQL queries that return a list of items, enabling plugins to extend the menu with domain‑specific shortcuts.
The change is demonstrated on the live demo at latest.datasette.io, where the menu appears and filters in real time.
Datasette’s documentation now includes a detailed guide on implementing jump_items_sql() and customizing the menu’s appearance.
The update also refines the user interface, adding clearer visual cues for matched items and improving keyboard navigation.
Overall, 1.0a30 makes navigating complex databases faster and more extensible for developers and power users.
Key changes
- New customizable Jump to menu appears on / key
- Menu filters by database, table, and debug options as you type
- jump_items_sql() plugin hook allows plugins to add searchable items
- Hook accepts SQL queries returning list of items
- UI improvements: clearer visual cues and better keyboard navigation
- Documentation updated with guide on implementing jump_items_sql()