What is zsh in terminal command This blog post will guide you Feb 19, 2024 · Not getting command history in Zsh? Here's how to enable it. Our beginner's guide elucidates its basics, making your command-line experience a breeze. May 13, 2024 · Have you ever heard of zsh? If not, let me introduce you to this powerful and versatile shell that has become my go-to choice for working in the command line. One of the features of zsh is that it allows you to install plug-ins and themes. Dec 19, 2024 · Overall, Zsh is a versatile and powerful shell that can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency in the command line interface. A subset of them returned by man -k zsh: May 9, 2025 · A Beginner’s Guide to Oh-My-Zsh: Boosting Your Terminal Experience Useful tips and tricks for better development experience If you have ever felt that your command-line interface could use a Jan 9, 2024 · Zsh, also known as Z shell, is a program that runs in the Terminal, interprets Unix commands, and interacts with the operating system. But us Nov 26, 2024 · While Zsh is not completely compatible with Bash, it shares some similar functionalities and features with Bash. Redirecting to /zsh/ Feb 21, 2024 · Zsh has become so popular lately that Apple made it the default choice on macOS. In Linux, the file is stored in the home/user directory as a hidden file. Nov 26, 2023 · Zsh is a powerful command-line shell for operating systems based on Unix that is renowned for its customization options and wide range of features. It was developed by Paul Falstad in 1990 and has since become one of the most popular alternatives to the Bash shell. This beginner‘s guide will equip you with hacker tools and workflows to start conquering the command line like a pro. shell 0. This article will look at Bash vs May 20, 2025 · zsh Zsh is a UNIX command interpreter (shell) usable as an interactive login shell and as a shell script command processor. , Bash, Zsh) keeps a record of all commands you run in a history file (typically ~/. Some plugins require acting each time they're updated. Aug 4, 2023 · Shut the terminal by typing exit, then locate the . Sep 4, 2024 · Unlock the full power of your Linux or macOS terminal with Zsh and Oh My Zsh, letting you transform your command line with smart autocompletion, customizable themes, and powerful plugins. Zsh is among the most powerful freely available Bourne-like shells for interactive use. In this introductory section, ‘ option ’ always has the meaning of an option to a command that should be familiar to most command line users. In the second case, when you are typing at a prompt and waiting for each command to run, the shell is Dec 4, 2023 · So, zsh is the interpreter or shell into which you type commands in Terminal (unless you change it to a different shell). Tagged with windows, productivity, tutorial, development. 16s system 0% cpu 6:09. " To install ZSH on Fedora, "run sudo dnf install zsh" then switch the shell by entering "zsh" in the Terminal. Feb 5, 2015 · 2. I’ve generated this document based on Dec 27, 2023 · First things first – let‘s get Zsh running with the basic zsh command: zsh That‘s all it takes to launch an interactive Zsh shell session! This drops you into a Zsh command prompt right within your current terminal window. It has command-line editing, built-in spelling correction, programmable command completion, shell functions (with autoloading), a history mechanism, and a host of other features. It includes 300+ plugins, themes, and tweaks to supercharge your terminal experience. In addition (and with respect to zsh) you can define commands which live only inside your zsh process. Zsh is the default shell for macOS and Kali Linux. It enhances productivity and improves the overall shell scripting experience. , a window with the command line interface), you’re interacting with a shell. As someone who spends a significant amount of time in the terminal, zsh has been a game-changer for me, providing a seamless and efficient command-line experience. May 15, 2024 · In this guide, we will walk you through the installation and configuration of ZSH and Oh My ZSH on Windows. Enter Zsh: a shell designed to be interactive, user-friendly, and highly customizable. It is an extended version of the good old Bourne shell (sh). More than that, however, zsh is a particularly powerful shell --- and it's free, and under regular maintenance --- with lots of interactive features allowing you to do the maximum work with the minimum fuss. Learn to install Zsh, configure aliases, enable syntax highlighting, autosuggestions, Powerlevel10k, Oh My Zsh, and plugins. If you’re on Linux, the command to install ZSH varies by the distro, but it should be a default package in your package manager. Feb 15, 2010 · This document contains a list of frequently-asked (or otherwise significant) questions concerning the Z-shell, a command interpreter for many UNIX systems which is freely available to anyone with FTP access. Sep 16, 2024 · Conclusion Bash and Zsh scripts are powerful tools for automating tasks and streamlining workflow on Linux and macOS systems. A key reason many programmers switch is all the different Chapter 1: A short introduction The Z-Shell, `zsh' for short, is a command interpreter for UNIX systems, or in UNIX jargon, a `shell', because it wraps around the commands you use. Prezto is a configuration framework for zsh; it enriches the command line interface environment with sane defaults, aliases, functions, auto completion, and prompt themes. Once configured, ZSH supercharges your terminal with handy features for developers and power users. Whether you're new to the command line or an experienced developer, Zsh and Oh My Zsh can help you streamline your operations and make your terminal environment truly your own. A list of commits will be shown if any. In general, a command is just an executable program, and this can be written in any language - in zsh as well - and be called from any process. However, the default shell, known as Bash, can sometimes lack the features or user-friendliness that some users desire. Moved Permanently. Nov 9, 2023 · Define what is a zsh command . 4 days ago · The shell (e. Zsh is a Unix shell that qualifies as an interactive login shell and as a scripting language interpreter. Example Output: As a result, your terminal prompt will change, indicating that you are currently in a zsh shell environment. If you want to just make your regular B Zsh is highly compatible with the Bourne shell (sh) and mostly compatible with bash, with some differences. Zsh is an extended Bourne shell with many improvements, including some features of Bash, ksh, and tcsh. The file can be edited to customize the zsh experience, but it is not advised to customize May 7, 2024 · Set Zsh as the default shell by running the command chsh -s $ (which zsh). Choose one of the following options. zsh_history file, which is also in your home directory. This is where zsh stores a list of your previous terminal commands. / [scriptname]" in the terminal. Of the standard shells, zsh most closely resembles ksh but includes many enhancements. Read on to learn more about Zsh and some tips and tricks to optimize your development. Discover which is better for scripting, performance, customization, and productivity in your terminal workflow. Zsh has command line editing, builtin spelling correction, programmable command completion, shell functions (with autoloading), a history mechanism, and a host of other features. 10s user 0. What is Zsh? Zsh, also known as the Z shell, extends functionality of the Bourne Shell (sh This is what I got from the terminal command "time". While they share many similarities, they also have some significant differences. To help you work in the terminal more effectively and efficiently, I’ll go over some of the most useful Zsh commands and shortcuts in this article. It’s easy to use, customizable, and packed with features that make it popular among developers. Zsh is designed to be a highly customizable shell with an interactive command-line interface for executing commands, running shell scripts, and performing various system administration tasks. 64 total children 0. Are you looking to enhance your terminal and command-line workflow on Mac? Then setting Zsh as the default shell is an impactful upgrade. Zsh is the default shell program on MacOS. Aug 5, 2025 · When the running process completes, you have installed the most well-criticized ZSH framework on your Mac successfully. The purpose of this guide is to provide an introduction to shell scripting. Zsh is built on the Bourne shell and incorporates features from other shells like Bash, ksh, and tcsh, making Zsh a versatile tool to use for anyone who uses the command line frequently. g. Dec 12, 2024 · Why ZSH Over Bash Most operating systems like MacOS default to using Bash as the command line shell. To set Zsh as the default login shell permanently across future terminal applications and reboots: Aug 19, 2023 · What is Zsh? Zsh, also called Z shell, is a UNIX shell that is built on top of the Bourne shell (macOS default shell), more commonly know as bash. Choose the Right Shell: zsh with Oh My Zsh Your shell controls how you interact with the […] Feb 3, 2022 · . ). Mar 12, 2024 · Zsh is also an environment that can be used as a command-line interpreter for shell scripting or as an interactive login shell. Zsh Cheat Sheet Displays the command history, showing a list of previously executed commands along with their line numbers Nov 5, 2023 · ZSH for beginners: Exploring Linux’s elegant shell ZSH, a powerful and customizable shell, has won the hearts of many Linux enthusiasts. chsh -s $ (which zsh) When starting, Zsh will read commands from the following files in this order by default, provided they exist. Example: desktop: Most often I save files on my Desktop, so whatever directory I am in What is ZSH? ZSH is a shell program that is designed to be an interactive login shell and command interpreter for Unix-based systems. If you’ve recently run 10 commands you want to erase, this guide will show you two methods to do it Sep 23, 2023 · How to configure zsh theme from scratch on a mac, set up oh my zsh, install zsh plugins like autosuggestions and syntax-highlighting Dec 2, 2024 · Oh My Zsh is a free, open-source tool that helps you manage Zsh terminal settings. Learn how to install zsh and make the default shell in your system. This guide simplifies the transition while spotlighting zsh's powerful features. Let‘s get started! An Introduction to Oh My Zsh First, let‘s talk about what Oh My Zsh actually is and why you‘d want to use it. Instructions for Windows Instructions for Mac Instructions for Linux Mar 13, 2018 · By rajaraodv In this blog I’ll cover installing ITerm2, ZSH shell, “oh my ZSH”, Themes, ITerm2 color schemes, “oh my ZSH” plugins and enable “ligature” support to help create a beautiful and powerful Terminal. Nov 14, 2023 · What are Bash & zsh Terminals? Shell terminals, such as Bash and zsh, are text-based user interfaces for interacting with an operating system. Using Zsh in Windows 10 While Zsh was originally developed for Unix-like operating systems, it is possible to use Zsh on Windows 10 through the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Zsh was created by Paul Falstad in 1990 while he was a student at Princeton University. Install ZSH on Ubuntu (or any Debian Zsh is a shell, just like bash or fish, which interprets commands and runs them. Discover the power of Zsh, a customizable shell that enhances your command-line experience with advanced features and configurations. If you're relatively new to Linux or Unix but experienced enough to have opened a terminal and run a few commands, you have probably used the Bash shell. io). Mar 8, 2025 · The terminal is a developer’s best friend. However, each operating system— macOS, Windows, and Linux —has its own terminal environment and command syntax. Feb 21, 2024 · Zsh is an awesome shell for Linux systems. Do you go with Bash’s lean, mean Apr 5, 2022 · Hi everyone! In this article we'll take a good look at the command line (also known as the CLI, console, terminal or shell). By the end, your command line skills will be leveled up. Whether you’re a newbie dipping your toes into the terminal or a seasoned developer scripting your way through life, choosing the right shell in 2025 can feel like picking a superpower. Zsh can be thought of as an extended Bourne shell with a large number of improvements, including some features of bash, ksh, and tcsh. One useful ZSH capability is its robust command history which allows you to easily view, search, and reuse previous commands. Bash (Bourne Again SHell) and Zsh (Z Shell) are powerful Unix shell environments that allow users to execute commands, automate tasks, and manage system processes through an interactive command line interface. Jul 20, 2025 · Enhance your Linux terminal with Zsh and Oh My Zsh! Learn to install, configure, and customize on Debian/Ubuntu with popular themes and plugins. They allow you to input commands through a command line, offering direct communication with the system for tasks like file manipulation, program execution, and system control. Jun 20, 2025 · A quick guide to understanding the key differences between Bash, SH, and ZSH and when to use each one for scripting or daily terminal use. The Z Shell (Zsh) is a powerful command line interpreter that can turn your terminal from a simple text input/output environment into a highly efficient and customizable workspace. Zshrc is a configuration file that contains the commands that run the zsh shell, just like the . With powerful features like smart autocompletion, theming, and plugins, ZSH offers advanced customization for power users. Soon, you‘ll shave hours off your weekly terminal time – letting you focus on more important (and interesting) tasks! Why One of my favorite ZSH add-ons is syntax highlighting. Oh My Zsh is an open source, community-driven framework built on top of Jul 3, 2024 · The zsh-auto-suggestions plugin, after using the terminal for a while, suggests a command similar to the one you are currently typing, and you can select it (with arrow keys) and execute it. bash_history for Bash). sourceforge. ZSH is compatible with most Bourne shell scripts and offers a number of features and enhancements that make it a versatile and powerful tool for Nov 6, 2024 · As an aspiring hacker, your terminal is your home. In […] Sep 24, 2023 · Plugin and theme support: ZSH includes many different plugin frameworks Plugin and theme support is probably the coolest feature of ZSH and is what we’ll focus on here. Now you can set it as your default Terminal on your device, just open Terminal and paste the command line in the Terminal window, and hit the Return/Enter key to run it. 08s system 0% cpu 6:09. Z-Shell users often cite its many conveniences and credit it for increased efficiency and extensive customization. Mar 3, 2017 · The zsh shell offers built-in spelling correction, improved command-line completion, loadable modules that act as plug-ins for your shell, global aliases that allow you to alias file names or anything else on the command line instead of just commands, and more theming support. Terminal Temple is an online terminal simulator. This is convenient for recalling past commands, but it can also store sensitive information—like passwords, API keys, or personal commands you’d rather keep private. 4 days ago · I set up a quick search in my browser to easily filter through their docs with a search engine (i. The command line is one of the most useful and efficient tools we have as developers and as computer users in general. While macOS ships with the reliable bash shell, Zsh offers advanced functionality and customization options that make it worth upgrading to. It contains scripts that run whenever an interactive zsh session is launched. Here's a simple example of a command in both Bash and Zsh: echo "Hello, World!" What is Bash? Sep 3, 2025 · Step-by-step Zsh tutorials. What Is Oh My Zsh? Mar 12, 2022 · How to defile aliases in Zsh Shell? There are many commands that we use in the Terminal often that may have many parameters (optional parameters) or are hard to remember and may take a while to type, alias command can help you to create shortcuts or name such commands with aliases that can help you speed up. Oh My Zsh is a framework built on top of zsh that is structured to allow it to have plugins and themes, as well as providing what we think are the best settings from the start. With features such as spell correction, improved auto completions, and a rich set of options for customizing its behavior Nov 7, 2023 · In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, I‘ll show you how to get Oh My Zsh running on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC step-by-step. Mar 24, 2023 · In this guide, we learn how to use Zsh to improve your command line productivity. Creating scripts is as simple as writing a list of commands in a text editor and saving it with the appropriate file extension. It is essentially the same thing as bash but just has many additional features. Bash vs Zsh: Which Shell Should You Choose in 2025? Unpacking Key Differences and Insider Tips In the wild world of command-line shells, two titans stand tall: Bash and Zsh. Bash is probably the most well-known, but there are other widely-used options as well, such as Zsh or the Z shell. Oh My Zsh is a popular open-source Zsh configuration framework loved by developers worldwide. For more about zsh and its comprehensive command-line completion system, enter man zsh in Terminal. Nov 14, 2025 · In the world of Linux, the shell is a crucial component that allows users to interact with the operating system. Dec 18, 2024 · To get additional built-in commands in your Z shell, you can choose to load additional modules. Apr 11, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Zsh and Bash—two powerful Unix shells. Feb 17, 2021 · In UNIX-based programming, we often talk about shells, terminals, and the command line interfaces. For example, when I run the following command Oct 30, 2023 · Luckily, ZSH – the popular enhanced shell – offers handy ways to search and reuse your command history. It was initially created by Paul Falstad while he was a student and Princetown University and originally it was created incorporating many useful features from other Mar 21, 2020 · Welcome Everyone All of us have seen customizable and feature-full terminals in linux and Tagged with zsh, windows, terminal, bash. Mar 19, 2025 · Introducing Bash and Zsh Bourne Again Shell, commonly known as Bash, is a command line interface and scripting language) used by Unix-based operating systems to interact with terminal commands. With just a few keystrokes, you can instantly recall and rerun previous commands. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential terminal commands for each platform Apr 9, 2025 · When you are working in a terminal window (i. With both Bash and Zsh providing compelling advantages, selecting the right shell for scripting can significantly shape your productivity, and simplify your daily tasks. Sep 24, 2023 · Installing ZSH on Ubuntu or other Debian-based distros is as simple as running "sudo apt install zsh" and changing the default shell using "chsh -s $ (which zsh). Also available in your terminal, of course (man pages)! They are spread out by concept area. Zsh has command-line editing, built-in spelling correction, programmable command completion, shell functions (with autoloading), a history mechanism, and a host of other features Zsh is a powerful shell with additional features and customization options compared to traditional shells like bash. Master basic Zsh setup quickly. To update all plugins and snippets, issue zi update. In this beginner‘s guide, you‘ll unlock the full potential of ZSH history. This article explores how you can configure your Zsh profile to unlock a more productive and enjoyable command Jul 12, 2025 · The ZSH or Z Shell is a Unix based shell or can be called as a command-line interpreter. What is Zsh? Zsh, short for "Z Shell," is a command-line interpreter shell for Unix-based systems such as Linux and macOS. Z Shell, also known as Zsh, is also a Unix-based command line interpreter used to interact with terminal commands. It does have some features form Bash with lots of added features like automatic cd (Change Directory), spell check, path expansion, and many more. It is a web-based terminal emulator that simulates a terminal in your browser (shell, bash, zsh, etc. Bash is arguably the The one-page guide to zsh: usage, examples, links, snippets, and more. Each keystroke is sacred, and efficiency is your mantra. Learn to utilize themes, plugins, and advanced features for enhanced productivity. Learn how to use the zsh (Z Shell) command in Linux, an extended shell with improvements over bash, including features, configurations, and examples. – Z shell – Wikipedia Read more about ZSH at An Introduction to the Z Shell. It is an alternative to the default shell, Bash. zsh most closely resembles ksh but includes many enhancements. To update all in parallel (up to 40 at the time) zi update -p 40 If you wish to update only a single plugin/snippet instead issue zi update <plugin-name>. You can use zsh without Oh My Zsh, but you can't use Oh My Zsh if you don't have zsh. Sep 17, 2019 · Z-shell (or Zsh) is an interactive Bourne-like POSIX shell known for its abundance of innovative features. Boost productivity and streamline your workflow with this dynamic duo. bashrc file that contains commands for the bash shell. However, ZSH offers more flexibility and customization options. In recent versions of MacOS, zsh is the default shell. Visual Studio Code has an integrated terminal to enable working in your shell of choice without leaving the editor. , the Ubuntu app) Run the following command to set ZSH as the default shell: echo "/usr/bin/zsh" | sudo tee -a /etc/shells Learn how to get started running shell commands with the integrated terminal in Visual Studio Code. Some of the common uses of Bash and Description zsh is a UNIX command interpreter (shell) that is used as an interactive login shell and as a shell script command processor. When this file exists it will always be read, this cannot be overridden. Zsh has more convenience mechanisms to build fancy prompts including a prompt theme mechanism. /etc/zsh/zshenv Used for setting environment variables for all users; it should not contain commands that produce output or assume the shell is attached to a TTY. This additional information enables some useful features such as working directory detection and command detection, decorations, and navigation. There are others as well (e. For example, to use the strftime built-in command to obtain detailed time and date information, you must load the zsh/datetime module, as shown below: Jan 10, 2022 · I'd like to know how can I get zsh to behave like bash regarding this: I want command outputs to always show up right below these commands in terminal. Such commands are (somewhat inappropriately) named "zsh functions". Terminal Shell Integration Visual Studio Code has the ability to integrate with common shells, allowing the terminal to understand more about what's actually happening inside the shell. Although the concepts are similar, the escape codes are completely different. May 14, 2022 · Some shell builtin commands take options as described in individual entries; these are often referred to in the list below as ‘ flags ’ to avoid confusion with shell options, which may also have an effect on the behaviour of builtin commands. Jul 23, 2021 · In this introductory guide, we'll lay the foundations of using Oh My Zsh to pimp and customize your UNIX terminal. , sh, csh, tcsh, fish). This cheat sheet is a must-read if you’re new to Zsh or want to brush up on your knowledge. It provides powerful auto-completion and has a wide choice of plugins. Installing ZSH on Ubuntu Step 1: First, we will have to update Jan 8, 2023 · Set ZSH as the Default Shell On Windows Open a terminal running ZSH (e. Nov 19, 2025 · The Z shell (zsh) is a Unix shell []. The functionality of bash's PROMPT_COMMAND is available in zsh via the precmd and preexec hook functions. As we‘ll explore in this guide, applying color coding and styles to your shell commands makes the terminal far more useful, functional, and lets be honest – downright pretty! By the end of this 3000+ word guide, we‘ll answer: What is ZSH syntax highlighting and why is it beneficial? How to install ZSH + the syntax highlighting plugin . Mar 12, 2024 · In the world of Unix and Linux, the terminal is the heart of the system — where the magic happens. And Bash is great – it gets the job done on basic terminal tasks. Basic Features of Bash and Zsh Jun 8, 2019 · Zsh sets the prompt mainly from PS1 which contains percent escapes. 32s user 0. Restart your Terminal or open a new Terminal window to start using Zsh as your default shell. Zsh comes with features like better autocompletion, advanced globbing, custom themes, and plugin support. Sep 15, 2020 · The macOS Terminal (zsh) - Getting Started How does the macOS terminal work, why should I use it and what's the difference between a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line Interface (CLI)? These and more questions will be answered in this video & article! Mar 3, 2020 · We share 75 Zsh commands, plugins, aliases and tools that will save you keystrokes and make you more productive in your day-to-day work. 🛠 Commands Updates To update and recompile Zi run zi self-update in the command line. Of Jan 18, 2022 · Learn how to install Zsh on Linux, understand shell types, configure startup files, and set Zsh as default. Basically, the shell is just there to take a list of commands and run them; it doesn't really care whether the commands are in a file, or typed in at the terminal. 1: Types of shell: interactive and login shells First, you need to know what is meant by an interactive and a login shell. Jul 25, 2023 · The command line is a powerful tool in the hands of a Linux user. site:zsh. In this comprehensive 2800+ word […] How does the macOS terminal work, why should I use it and what’s the difference between a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line Interface (CLI)? Dec 27, 2023 · The Z shell (ZSH) is a popular alternative to the standard bash shell included with most Linux distributions. While the default shell on most Linux distributions is Bash, Zsh (Z shell) offers a plethora of advanced features and enhanced user experience. The shell interpreters the following flags to determine where the shell will Jun 1, 2024 · ZSH is available in most Linux repositories, so you can directly open your terminal and execute one of the following commands based on your system type to install ZSH. e. Mar 11, 2021 · The goal of this article is to teach you just enough about the shell prompt to make some helpful Tagged with webdev, bash, tutorial, zsh. In order for the changes to take affect, you must close your Nov 24, 2024 · As a professional software engineer and coding instructor with over 15 years of experience, I‘ve come to master the art of customizing my terminal into a productive power tool. Once the shell is launched, you can type and execute commands, access command history, and utilize auto-completions that zsh offers. It also supports plugins and themes. The Z shell (Zsh) is a Unix shell that can be used as an interactive login shell and as a command interpreter for shell scripting. Running the script is as easy as using the command ". 64 total What is children? Jan 3, 2019 · The chsh command is used to change your login shell and $(which zsh) is a system call to find the path to where zsh has been installed. Dec 17, 2024 · Explanation: The command zsh with no arguments initiates an interactive shell session. Sep 22, 2021 · The Z shell (zsh) is a UNIX / Linux command interpreter (shell) which is usable as an interactive login shell and as a shell script command processor. One Discover seamless ways to switch from bash to zsh and enhance your command line experience. Whether you’re automating tasks, managing files, or debugging applications, knowing how to navigate and use the terminal efficiently is a must. It combines features from both ksh and tcsh, offering functionality such Aug 25, 2018 · Install ZSH with Oh My ZSH to boost your terminal efficiency. Open the terminal, click Terminal -> Preferences and for the setting “Shells open with”, select the option “Command (complete path)” and enter “/bin/zsh”. Supported shells: Linux/macOS: bash, fish, pwsh, zsh Windows: Git Apr 29, 2024 · Bash and Zsh are popular Unix shell environments that provide command-line interfaces to the operating system. There are actually different shells that you can use, of which bash is very common and is the default on many systems. yqgxk zjiqodt aypta rzqa xvv zzb vayxwr zrgx onk xlae jquo tfshg gimo qycuoj utvmg