When showing choices, $ ls /cf/124451<TAB> 1244516986.31615_0.ps11007 1244517019.1029_0.ps11007 maybe indicate the bifurcation point with termcap bold, like emacs, or with a pipe: 124451|6986.31615_0.ps11007 124451|7019.1029_0.ps11007 or just show the remaining part, like ...6986.31615_0.ps11007 ...7019.1029_0.ps11007