What is zsh in terminal. Once the terminal is open, type zsh and press Enter.

What is zsh in terminal And if you do use Terminal, it’s something to be aware of but which makes very little difference to how you use it. Let's try again. Jul 12, 2025 · The ZSH or Z Shell is a Unix based shell or can be called as a command-line interpreter. Zsh shell command languages, explore their differences, and see how to use both successfully. Jun 8, 2019 · You'll find some commands that bash handles better and some that zsh handles better. Aug 29, 2023 · Apple now uses Zsh as the default shell on macOS, but the old Bash shell is still included and easily switchable. May 15, 2024 · In this guide, we will walk you through the installation and configuration of ZSH and Oh My ZSH on Windows. - Installing ZSH · ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh Wiki Feb 21, 2024 · Zsh is an awesome shell for Linux systems. In this comprehensive 2800+ word […] Jan 3, 2019 · Z shell (zsh) and Oh My Zsh Z shell The Z shell, more commonly referred to as zsh, is a UNIX shell that is built on top of the Bourne shell (macOS default shell), better known as bash. Instructions for Windows Instructions for Mac Instructions for Linux Jan 8, 2023 · If ZSH is installed, you should see the version number printed on the terminal. It does not provide compatibility with POSIX or other shells in its default operating mode. Since it’s based on the same shell as Bash, ZSH has many of the same features, and switching over is a breeze. It supports history enhancements, path expansion, environment variable expansion, improved tab completion, improved globbing (searching files), and hundreds more. 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 Jun 26, 2025 · Introduction When diving into the world of command-line interfaces, you'll inevitably encounter the terms "zsh" and "Oh My Zsh. It’s easy to use, customizable, and packed with features that make it popular among developers. You can change the shell that new Terminal windows and tabs open with. suggest. Zsh is great for interactive use, providing advanced completion features, history manipulation builtins like fc among other facilities and good performance. Zsh is a unix shell, it's a command interpreter language. Switching to zsh provides many advantages such as more advanced autocompletion, theming, plugins, and histories. Once installed, your terminal shell will become the talk of the town or your money back! With each keystroke in your command prompt, you'll take advantage of the hundreds of powerful plugins and Nov 27, 2024 · The Z shell (zsh) is a Unix shell []. Once the terminal is open, type zsh and press Enter. zshrc file, to manipulate how Jun 23, 2017 · I have migrated to ZSH shell long ago, and never looked back. Quick installation available for Bash, Fish, ZSH, Ion, Tcsh, Elvish, Nu, Xonsh, Cmd, and Powershell. Here’s how you can do it: Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or searching for “Terminal” in the applications. One of the options that caught my attention was Zsh. This cheat sheet is a must-read if you’re new to Zsh or want to brush up on your knowledge. 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. osx (shell to defaultProfile) but the new rule instead defaults to bash (at the time of this post) What actually happens is this: (got it by using the GUI instead) - it's the path. defaultProfile. " While they're often mentioned in the same breath, they serve different purposes in enhancing your terminal experience. Learn to utilize themes, plugins, and advanced features for enhanced productivity. Learn how to install zsh and make the default shell in your system. Zsh is usually more precise, but sometimes gives up where bash does something that isn't correct but is sensible. See Bourne Shell. Sep 15, 2020 · On macOS, the terminal is our "hardware" for the shell, so the tool where our shell software can run. If you want to just make your regular B Nov 5, 2019 · What is Zsh? Zsh, or Z Shell, is a popular alternative shell that extends the most common one, bash. 9) site known to have current release (5. However, the terminal is a device displaying a matrix of characters, today we're using VTE, Virtual Terminal Emulators, which spawn Description zsh is a UNIX command interpreter (shell) that is used as an interactive login shell and as a shell script command processor. This is where zsh stores a list of your previous terminal commands. The purpose of this guide is to provide an introduction to shell scripting. Contribute to romkatv/powerlevel10k development by creating an account on GitHub. 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 This is, the text you see before or after your cursor, where you'll type your commands. upArrowNavigatesHistory: send up arrow to the shell instead of browsing completions, this is particularly useful on zsh where you can filter and then press up to do a history search with that prefix. But what's the difference, and why are there so many? What Do Shells Do? When you sign in at the command line or launch a terminal window on Linux, the system launches the shell 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. This is the default for licensing reasons. Zsh is a particularly popular alternative, and there are other shells, like ash, dash, fish, and tcsh. May 12, 2025 · The command-line shell is an essential tool for interacting with the operating system, allowing users to execute commands, automate tasks, and run scripts efficiently. 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. Nov 26, 2024 · While Zsh is not completely compatible with Bash, it shares some similar functionalities and features with Bash. 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. If you don’t see the version number, then you’ll need to install ZSH on your system. 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. Unravel their unique features and learn how to choose the right shell for your tasks. Zsh is the default shell program on MacOS. While macOS ships with the reliable bash shell, Zsh offers advanced functionality and customization options that make it worth upgrading to. With its advanced tab completion, prompt customization, plugin support, and improved scripting capabilities, ZSH can help you work more efficiently and be more productive in the terminal. zsh If Zsh is installed, the terminal prompt should change, indicating that you are now using May 13, 2024 · In a nutshell, zsh (pronounced “zee shell”) is an extended version of the Bourne shell (sh) that offers a plethora of features and customization options. – Z shell – Wikipedia Read more about ZSH at An Introduction to the Z Shell. zsh most closely resembles ksh but includes many enhancements. Is the article helpful? In that case, you might also find our monthly insights newsletter helpful! We curate & share industry news, trends and anything else you Sep 17, 2019 · Z-shell (or Zsh) is an interactive Bourne-like POSIX shell known for its abundance of innovative features. Do not hesitate and click in to know ZSH. This blog post will guide you Discover what are bash and zsh in this concise guide. Aug 5, 2025 · Know nothing about ZSH? This article is an optimal and informative introduction to guide you to know ZSH from a comprehensive perspective. While the default shell on most Linux distributions is Bash, Zsh (Z shell) offers a plethora of advanced features and enhanced user experience. Zsh is a shell designed for interactive use, although it is also a powerful scripting language. May 7, 2024 · When I first started using my Mac, I was intrigued by the variety of options available to customize my terminal experience. For more about zsh and its comprehensive command-line completion system, enter man zsh in Terminal. zsh is highly compatible with the Bourne shell (sh) and mostly compatible with bash, with some differences. To specify possible completions for a command, zsh has three mechanisms: The “old” completion mechanism with compctl which you can forget about. Feb 15, 2023 · The message “The default interactive shell is now zsh” explains that the default Unix shell in Terminal has changed from bash to zsh. Zsh is Bourne shell compatible. Of 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. Sounds boring. Zsh offers a more convenient and powerful command line experience for developers, sysadmins, and daily terminal users. I hope this guide helped demystify the process of transitioning to zsh on Mac. My director uses fish as his shell, but I find it to be way too opinionated and it tends to break certain scripts unless specifically written for fish (or just invoking the script with bash or zsh but if Dec 2, 2024 · Oh My Zsh is a free, open-source tool that helps you manage Zsh terminal settings. Discover which is better for scripting, performance, customization, and productivity in your terminal workflow. Mar 24, 2023 · Zsh, short for "Z Shell," is a command-line interpreter shell for Unix-based systems such as Linux and macOS. Zsh is an extended Bourne shell with many improvements, including some features of Bash, ksh, and tcsh. So Why Use It? ZSH has too many features to list here, some just minor improvements to Bash, but here are some of the major ones: Automatic A Zsh theme. 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. It was weird when I opened up and saw the normal shell in VS Code. In this comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide, we‘ll walk through how to install Z shell (ZSH), customize it with Oh My ZSH, add useful plugins and beautiful themes, and enable […] 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. 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. In this article, I will give you an in-depth look at what Zsh is and how it can improve your Mac experience. bash is the default shell in macOS Starship is the minimal, blazing fast, and extremely customizable prompt for any shell! Shows the information you need, while staying sleek and minimal. zsh_history file, which is also in your home directory. For a developer, zsh can save tons of time while using a terminal window. Jul 23, 2021 · In this introductory guide, we'll lay the foundations of using Oh My Zsh to pimp and customize your UNIX terminal. Dec 12, 2024 · As a programmer who spends a lot of time in the terminal, having a powerful and visually pleasing command line interface can greatly improve productivity and enjoyment. In conclusion, ZSH is a powerful and feature-rich shell program that offers a number of advantages over the more commonly used Bash shell. Zsh has too many features to list here. inlineSuggestion: integrate with shell "ghost text" and how to present it. . This comprehensive tutorial will explore the differences between them, answer common questions, and highlight the powerful features each brings to terminal. Zsh has command line editing, builtin spelling correction, programmable command completion, shell functions (with autoloading), a history mechanism, and a host of other features. If you never use Terminal, you don’t need to worry about it. Aug 25, 2018 · Install ZSH with Oh My ZSH to boost your terminal efficiency. * indicates Primary Origin Site (5. To change your default shell from Zsh to Bash, simply run the "chsh -s /bin/bash" command in Terminal and reopen it. Bash is arguably the Mar 3, 2017 · Most Linux distributions include the bash shell by default, but you could also switch to another shell environment. While there are various shell options available, Bash, Zsh, and Fish stand out as the most popular choices, each offering a unique set of features, making it crucial to understand their differences in order to select the right Aug 24, 2018 · ZSH, also called the Z shell, is an extended version of the Bourne Shell (sh), with plenty of new features, and support for plugins and themes. 9) as at 2022-10-08 In my experience, everyone who complains about zsh being slow is using one of those plugin packages like prezto or oh my zsh. Z-Shell users often cite its many conveniences and credit it for increased efficiency and extensive customization. ” To install ZSH on Fedora, “run sudo dnf install zsh” then switch the shell by entering “zsh” in the Terminal. The shell interpreters the following flags to determine where the shell will This site provides an index to Zsh information and archives. These are settings that you can change in your terminal emulator. Our beginner's guide elucidates its basics, making your command-line experience a breeze. For more information, see what is a zsh theme. Tagged with windows, productivity, tutorial, development. Zsh is no slower than bash, but it will slow down a lot if you load a whole bunch of stuff with it. Installing ZSH on Ubuntu Step 1: First, we will have to update Learn how to get started running shell commands with the integrated terminal in Visual Studio Code. It does have some features form Bash with lots of added features like automatic cd (Change Directory), spell check, path expansion, and many more. Choose one of the following options. You can look them up, but zsh supports several features that I wouldn't want to lose, and with ohmyzsh and starship it becomes almost unbeatable. 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). 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. One of the standout features of zsh is its powerful tab completion. What is Zsh? 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. Zsh comes with features like better autocompletion, advanced globbing, custom themes, and plugin support. Basic Features of Bash and Zsh Jul 25, 2023 · Verify the Zsh installation To verify if Zsh is installed on your Ubuntu system, you can use the zsh command in the terminal. It is essentially the same thing as bash but just has many additional features. With extensive customization options, powerful command line completion, and user-friendly features, it enhances productivity and makes terminal work a fun experience. osx actually works, but the value has to be changed from /bin/zsh to Apr 17, 2020 · Zsh is a UNIX command interpreter (shell) usable as an interactive login shell and as a shell script command processor. terminal. Installing ZSH on macOS On Zsh is highly compatible with the Bourne shell (sh) and mostly compatible with bash, with some differences. More information can be found on the "Zsh Web Pages" sites. Apr 11, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Zsh and Bash—two powerful Unix shells. integrated. Aug 4, 2023 · Shut the terminal by typing exit, then locate the . shell. Mar 19, 2025 · Compare the Bash vs. 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. Is it necessary to use zsh shell options in the . Of the standard shells, zsh most closely resembles ksh but includes many enhancements. It is highly compatible with the Bourne shell, which means that most shell scripts written for sh will work seamlessly with zsh. 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. 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. Zsh combined with Oh My Zsh provides a powerful platform for managing your terminal workflows. zsh is far superior to bash in several ways. 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. 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. Includes 300+ optional plugins (rails, git, macOS, hub, docker, homebrew, node, php, python, etc), 140+ themes to spice up your morning, and an auto-update tool that makes it easy to keep up with the latest updates from the community. 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. Zsh, short for Z Shell, is a powerful shell program that can enhance your command-line experience on macOS. Sep 19, 2021 · On macOS, there is a sessions directory that combines commands from multiple zsh sessions into a single history file. 🙃 A delightful community-driven (with 2,400+ contributors) framework for managing your zsh configuration. Alternatively, you can change the default shell graphically in System Settings under Users & Groups by Ctrl-Clicking your profile picture and selecting "Advanced 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)? Sep 22, 2020 · Here's the solution: terminal. " To install ZSH on Fedora, "run sudo dnf install zsh" then switch the shell by entering "zsh" in the Terminal. Mar 12, 2022 · What is Zsh Shell? What is the default shell for your Mac running macOS? Lets see in this tutorial. In the past, the bash-shell was the standard, nowadays being replaced by the z-shell (zsh) which we'll also use in this tutorial. When should I use 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). It is an alternative to the default shell, Bash. Oh My Zsh will not make you a 10x developerbut you may feel like one. Zsh can be thought of as an extended Bourne shell with a large number of improvements, including some features of bash, ksh, and tcsh. In this guide, we learn how to use Zsh to improve your command line productivity. How-to: Terminal/profile startup files in macOS There are two default shells commonly used with macOS: zsh (Z shell) is the default shell for all newly created user accounts, starting with macOS Catalina. It is an extended version of the good old Bourne shell (sh). Z shell is Change the default shell in Terminal on Mac The default shell is zsh. Nov 14, 2025 · In the world of Linux, the shell is a crucial component that allows users to interact with the operating system. It goes way beyond basic file and Oh My Zsh is an open source, community-driven framework for managing your zsh configuration. osx has been deprecated for terminal. Themes don't control things such as the colors of your terminal window (known as color scheme) or the font of your terminal. tojhl idev kmyhxe yjwq pgisgb zirxh qknoqr wwysyo hwvlmf frbfz gdowsowa nnpawh zxhq mye bjfwz