> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.otter-shell.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Arrays and paths

> BoundedArray, FilePath, and FixedString in otter-utils.

Hot paths skip the heap. These types give you fixed-capacity containers and stack path builders.

## BoundedArray

Drop-in for removed `std.BoundedArray` in Zig 0.15+. Same idea: fixed capacity, dynamic length, nothing on the heap.

```zig theme={null}
const utils = @import("otter_utils");

var arr = utils.BoundedArray(u8, 256){};
try arr.append(42);
try arr.appendSlice("hello");

const slice = arr.constSlice();
```

Use for hit region lists, workspace IDs, damage rects, and any bounded collection in daemons.

## FilePath

Stack buffer sized to `fs.max_path_bytes`. Build paths from segments without allocating.

```zig theme={null}
const FilePath = @import("otter_utils").FilePath;

const path = try FilePath.from("/home/user/docs");
const path2 = try FilePath.fromMany(&.{ "home", "user", "docs" });

var builder = try FilePath.from("/home");
try builder.appendSegment("user");
const s = builder.slice(); // [:0]const u8

_ = builder.pop(); // returns removed segment
```

## FixedString

Small inline string buffer for titles, labels, and protocol names that must stay on the stack. See `fixed_string.zig` for capacity and append APIs.

## When to use what

| Type                 | Capacity         | Best for                               |
| -------------------- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `BoundedArray(T, N)` | Comptime `N`     | Homogeneous lists (IDs, rects, events) |
| `FilePath`           | `max_path_bytes` | Config paths, icon paths, socket paths |
| `FixedString(N)`     | Comptime `N`     | Short names and cached strings         |