Bash to zsh linux. It is rich in features and easy to configure and customize.

Bash to zsh linux Discover their unique features, customization options, scripting capabilities, and user preferences. And how to change the default shell to ZSH on Ubuntu. Dec 23, 2024 · Z Shell (Zsh) is a powerful shell that is compatible with the traditional Bourne shell (sh) and is often considered an improvement over the default Bash shell that comes with most Linux distributions. In this tutorial, you will learn to install and configure the Z Shell on Ubuntu. Zsh benefits include command-line completion, shared history, improved globbing, intelligent tab completion, spelling correction, and a rich set of plugins and themes. bashrc or ~/. Understand its features, use cases, and differences… Discover how to easily determine if you're using bash or zsh. zsh is a customizable Linux shell that supports plugins and helps increase your productivity vastly. 15). Now start using zsh by modifying the configuration file located at ~/. And how to change the default shell to ZSH on arch Linux. 04, update the system repository, and install Zsh along with its dependencies using the “sudo apt install zsh” command. Sep 17, 2019 · Z-shell (or Zsh) is an interactive Bourne-like POSIX shell known for its abundance of innovative features. It combines features from both ksh and tcsh, offering functionality such Oh My Zsh is a popular open-source Zsh configuration framework loved by developers worldwide. Bash to zsh? Good idea? Also, how would I do that? I've been using bash since the beginning of Linux. 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. I don't see a reference to the PATH variable in my ~/. Bash is common on Linux systems and zsh is the default on MacOS systems if you used linux you would know that kali comes with zsh with the full install if you don't like zsh you can switch to bash. May 31, 2015 · Just saying. How to Use Zsh Feb 21, 2024 · Zsh is an awesome shell for Linux systems. ZSH (Z Shell) is a better alternative to the Bash shell, in ZSH we can modify the terminal and make our terminal as colorful as we like. Apr 29, 2024 · Bash and Zsh are popular Unix shell environments that provide command-line interfaces to the operating system. Familiarity – If you use C-style syntax or are accustomed to csh from prior systems. zsh_profile) when I s Jun 11, 2014 · I am using my school's computers and would like to use zsh instead of bash. 4 was released yesterday by Offensive Security, and it takes the big step of changing the default shell from Bash to ZSH. bashrc directly to my . Zsh has much, much better support for arrays in syntax and functions that can use arrays. I thought about switching when I switched from Linux Mint to Arch almost 4 years ago but I stuck with bash because I opted to go with a Tiling Window Manager instead of a desktop environment. To change your default shell from Zsh to Bash, simply run the "chsh -s /bin/bash" command in Terminal and reopen it. Nov 14, 2025 · Zsh, short for Z shell, is a powerful and highly customizable shell that offers numerous features and enhancements over the default shells like Bash. Zsh Cheat Sheet Displays the command history, showing a list of previously executed commands along with their line numbers Nov 19, 2020 · Kali Linux 2020. Once configured, ZSH supercharges your terminal with handy features for developers and power users. Bash is arguably the Nov 14, 2025 · In the world of Linux, the shell is a crucial component that allows users to interact with the operating system. Learn to install Zsh, configure aliases, enable syntax highlighting, autosuggestions, Powerlevel10k, Oh My Zsh, and plugins. Jan 5, 2024 · In this article, we are going to learn about how to install ZSH on Kali Linux. Zsh is an extended Bourne shell with many improvements, including some features of Bash, ksh, and tcsh. Follow step by step instructions to get started using ZSH on Mac OS X. Performance – Lighter shells like ash and dash can provide speed improvements in some cases. Aug 23, 2020 · With the release of Kali Linux 2020. As you probably know, Bash is the default shell included on most Linux distributions. But what is Zsh, and what is Bash? Both are powerful Unix shells with unique capabilities, making them popular among developers. It's been super easy to use. We show you how Zsh reacts if you want to install packages such as zsh-completions. Zsh was created by Paul Falstad in 1990 while he was a student at Princeton University. Jan 11, 2017 · Explains how to set or change shell to bash (Bourne-again shell) on a Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and Unix-like OS using the chsh command. bashrc to . Apr 16, 2020 · How to correctly migrate bash_profile to zsh using both zshrc and zshenv. Our beginner's guide elucidates its basics, making your command-line experience a breeze. Mar 20, 2024 · Explains how to change your default shell in Linux using the chsh command, which changes the user login shell permanently. Bash vs Zsh Bash is the default shell on Linux and Mac OS X. It also supports plugins and themes. Dive into the Unix-like systems withGetting Started with Zsh and Oh My Zsh: A Beginner's Guide As you embark on your journey through the world of Unix-like operating systems, you'll likely encounter various types of shells. And how to change the default shell Bash to Zsh on Debian 11. Zsh is an interactive shell which incorporates a lot of useful features from other shells. Installing ZSH ZSH is one of the most popular alternatives to the Bash shell. Here's how to install one popular alternative, ZSH. Aug 16, 2014 · I have know about zsh for a long time now but have never really had a compelling reason to switch my default shell from bash until just recently, I have been hearing more and more people talking ab… Jun 11, 2025 · Learn why and how to run multiple shells in Linux. zshrc Feb 21, 2024 · Turbo charge your Zsh experience by using aliases for commonly used command combinations. Pattern matching/globbing on alien steroids. zshrc to get things like my customized PS1 prompt. This guide simplifies the transition while spotlighting zsh's powerful features. In this post, I'll show you how to setup Zsh as your default shell. In this blog, we’ll explore the key features of Zsh and Bash, helping you decide which one suits your workflow best. Zsh comes with features like better autocompletion, advanced globbing, custom themes, and plugin support. It works fine, but I want to change the default shell environment for the subsystem. It makes scripting in Zsh oh so much nicer. Apr 11, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Zsh and Bash—two powerful Unix shells. By default run-help is an alias to man, it can be either executed manually by prepending it to a command or it can be invoked for the currently typed command with the keyboard shortcuts Alt+h or Esc h. Bash vs. The difference is using arrays for very basic operations with a Oct 30, 2023 · Let‘s get started! Installing ZSH and oh-my-zsh ZSH doesn‘t include built-in support for themes like bash does. Z-Shell users often cite its many conveniences and credit it for increased efficiency and extensive customization. Discover which shell suits your workflow—scripting, customization, or beginner-friendly use. Zsh was developed by 'Paul Fastad' since 1990, and the name 'zsh' comes from Yale professor Zong Shao. That’s why it’s available in almost all the Linux distro repositories. However, there are other shells out there that may offer extra functionality. Open the file and copy any aliases, exports, or other customizations you had in Zsh’s configuration file. zshrc? Dec 27, 2023 · Have you ever wondered what shell environment you‘re running in on your Linux or Unix system? Whether you need to check for script compatibility, customize prompts, or simply want to learn – knowing key details about your default shell is essential. Since it's based on the same shell as Bash, ZSH has Dec 12, 2024 · Why ZSH Over Bash Most operating systems like MacOS default to using Bash as the command line shell. Oct 31, 2019 · How to Install ZSH to Replace your Bash on Linux. When combined with the oh-my-zsh framework for managing settings and plugins, you get a highly customizable terminal environment that can boost your productivity. Instead, most people use a framework like oh-my-zsh that comes bundled with a theme system. 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 Dec 26, 2024 · In most Linux systems, the default shell is bash but we can change that to any other shell-like zsh, fish, sh, and any other. I've installed Linux subsystem for Windows 10. Installing ZSH on Ubuntu Step 1: First, we will have to update May 8, 2024 · Zsh and Bash have different configuration files, so you’ll need to transfer your customizations to the appropriate Bash configuration file. It includes 300+ plugins, themes, and tweaks to supercharge your terminal experience. How can I make it be the default for new terminal windows? Will it be ok to copy my . PDF format (446k) Peter Stephenson's essay Replacing the File Manager in Zsh Articles in Linux Magazine (US) Zsh Extended File Attributes and ZSH by Oliver Kiddle (July 2005) Catching some ZZZs by Jerry Peek (February 2004) Wilder Wildcards by Jerry Peek (March 2004) Making the Transition to zsh by John Beppu (May 2002) Mar 29, 2025 · Bash vs Zsh vs Fish: Learn the key differences between the top Linux shells in 2025. Sharing of command history among all running shells (I like my command line 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 12, 2023 · Additional features – Zsh and fish offer handy enhancements like autocomplete, plugins, theming, and shortcuts that bash lacks. Zsh offers some advanced functionality Jan 6, 2024 · In this article, we are going to learn about how to install ZSH on arch Linux. In addition, there’s a bunch of things Zsh can do to make your terminal experience better. ZSH or Z Shell is a Unix shell that can be used as an interactive login shell and as a command interpreter for shell scripting. I did sudo apt-get install fish and then chsh -s /usr/bin/fish. The chsh command allows you to change your default shell. Test your scripts in different shells such as Bash, Dash, Fish, and Zsh for compatibility. I have tried this code: sudo chsh -s $(which zsh) I've also tried: sudo chsh -s /bin/zsh Also tried these co Feb 17, 2025 · Learn how to seamlessly transition from Bash to Zsh with our comprehensive step-by-step guide tailored for developers. The Z-Shell has become one of the most popular shells for the Linux operating system. May 21, 2025 · Since its creation, Bash has become the default shell for most Linux distributions and was the default shell on macOS until Catalina (10. In this article, we will walk you Aug 9, 2024 · Change Default Shell in Linux Using Chsh The most straightforward way to change the default shell in Linux is to use the chsh command. A key reason many programmers switch is all the different 🙃 A delightful community-driven (with 2,400+ contributors) framework for managing your zsh configuration. Zsh May 5, 2025 · Master Linux shell customization 2025 with Bash, Zsh, and Fish. Alternatively, you can change the default shell graphically in System Settings under Users & Groups by Ctrl-Clicking your profile picture and selecting "Advanced Whether you want to change from the zsh shell to the bash shell or vice-versa, this video will show you how to do it. Bash is the default login shell for most Linux distributions. Dec 12, 2023 · Tried another shell and liked it so much that you want to use it all the time by making it the default shell? Here's how you can change the default shell in Linux. In this article, we are going to show how to change that default shell to any other shell in Linux systems. Mar 24, 2023 · Arch Linux sudo pacman -S zsh Fedora sudo dnf install zsh Set up zsh as default shell Once Zsh is installed, you can set zsh as your default shell. It‘s been around for decades and is stable and widely portable. Let’s dive in! What Is a Shell? A shell is more . Oct 9, 2025 · There are many different types of shells available on Linux, including the Bash, Zsh, and Korn Shell. Dec 1, 2021 · This article explains how to change the default shell in Linux. 3, the Kali team is making the move from Bash (Bourne Again Shell) to ZSH (Z-Shell). It features major improvements above Bash. Zsh has command line editing, builtin spelling correction, programmable command completion, shell functions (with autoloading), a history mechanism, and a host of other features. Let’s switch from Bash to ZSH. Jul 12, 2025 · The ZSH or Z Shell is a Unix based shell or can be called as a command-line interpreter. Fun and Aug 25, 2018 · Install ZSH with Oh My ZSH to boost your terminal efficiency. Aug 29, 2023 · Apple now uses Zsh as the default shell on macOS, but the old Bash shell is still included and easily switchable. Using this you can set Bash, sh, Zsh, Csh, Fish, etc. However, there are other popular shells to choose from with different features and advantages, such as the Z SHell (Zsh) and Friendly Interactive SHell (Fish). The Z shell or ZSH is an interactive UNIX shell and a powerful command-line interpreter for scripting languages, including shell scripting. Feb 6, 2025 · The Z Shell (Zsh) is an interactive Unix shell that can be used as a command interpreter for shell scripting. So, I stuck with bash. It has specific differences in terms of scripting from Bash, but that doesn’t pose a problem. Enhanced auto-completions and globbing, spell correction, path replacement, the list Sep 24, 2023 · Bash, or the Bourne Again Shell, is a hallmark of Linux systems. In this article, we discuss how to install and use zsh shell features in Linux systems. Each shell has its own unique features and way of performing tasks, and different shells can greatly impact your workflow. May 29, 2025 · Learn what Bash is, how it powers the Linux command line, and how to use it for scripting and automation. If you face a problem with installation, check out my details article on zsh shell installation. This guide simplifies the process with quick tips and clear examples. Nov 30, 2021 · 272 you can try chsh -s /bin/bash to set the bash as the default, or chsh -s /bin/zsh to set the zsh as the default. However, ZSH offers more flexibility and customization options. Apr 15, 2017 · Bash comes pre-installed on most terminals, but its not the best shell out there. …more To install Zsh on Ubuntu 24. The chsh command stands for “change shell,” and it’s used along with the -s option followed by your shell path. 04. Of the standard shells, zsh most closely resembles ksh but includes many enhancements. Apple includes a bash install with macOS, it's just an older version (tl;dr Apple doesn't want to deal with GPLv3 licensing and therefore switched to zsh by default rather than bundle newer versions of bash). May 16, 2025 · Want a cool looking Linux terminal? Try Zsh. Oct 16, 2023 · Explore the compatibility of bash scripts with Zsh within the Linux environment. 5% of developers reporting they use it regularly. Optimizing Performance in Zsh and Bash I've been checking out ways to improve our shell environments for quite some time, focusing on both Zsh and Bash in particular. While the default shell on most Linux distributions is Bash, Zsh (Z shell) offers a plethora of advanced features and enhanced user experience. And how to change the default shell to ZSH on Kali Linux. Mar 2, 2016 · This tutorial will guide you through steps to install Zsh on Linux and Configure it to suit your needs. Good spelling correction. Loadable modules. - Installing ZSH · ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh Wiki Sep 29, 2023 · Explore the differences between Zsh and Bash, two powerful command-line shells. Luckily, as Zsh is one of the most well-known Bash alternatives, getting it is no problem. This blog post will guide you Sep 16, 2024 · Learn how to create and run 'Bash' and 'Zsh' scripts on Linux and macOS to automate tasks, enhance productivity, and streamline workflows with detailed examples. Definition of shell from Wikipedia: A Unix shell is a command-line interpreter or shell that provides a traditional user interface for the Unix operating system and for Unix-like systems. The prompt will be changing because of the package oh-my-zsh-git that is coming from the AUR. Learn how to boost productivity using themes, plugins, and cross-platform workflows. It is an extended version of the good old Bourne shell (sh). In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the history, pros and cons, and key features of Bash, Zsh, and Fish shells. Aug 10, 2023 · In this article, I guide you on how to migrate successful bash to zsh shell. Consistency – Setting your preferred shell across different Linux distros. Users direct the operation of the computer by entering commands as a text for a command line interpreter This article dives into the differences between Bash and Zsh, comparing their features, scripting capabilities, performance, and customization options to help users choose the right shell for their needs in 2025. Oh My Zsh is a community-driven framework for managing Zsh configuration that comes with a variety of plugins and themes to enhance your shell experience. Nov 26, 2024 · Zsh provides support for syntax highlighting which is useful for visually identifying different parts of a command or script based on their syntax. To be clear: to set up Homebrew, you do not need to install bash manually or anything. Jan 8, 2023 · Get Started with ZSH: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Oh My ZSH, Dracula Theme, and Popular Plugins In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of installing ZSH and Oh My ZSH on Oct 15, 2025 · On Unix and Linux-based systems, the default shell that ships with the systems is bash, but zsh catches your attention right away. as your shell. Jun 8, 2019 · Speaking as someone who's used both and landed on bash -- the only thing that made me really, deeply unhappy with zsh was its decision to break POSIX compliance when the standard canonicalizes admittedly-bad design decisions in ways that made it easy to get sloppy about correctness when trying to write scripts that needed to be compatible with other, strictly-POSIX-superset shells Supported shells: Linux/macOS: bash, fish, pwsh, zsh Windows: Git Bash, pwsh Installation Automatic script injection By default, the shell integration script should automatically activate on supported shells launched from VS Code. By comparing the Mar 12, 2024 · Here in this article, we are going to differentiate between the two most popular shells bash and zsh. Zsh doesn't resort to Bash's IFS to make arrays or make strings from arrays, you just split and join like you would in a "real" programming language. I can start zsh with zsh. A good and popular alternative is the Z shell, aka ZSH. I copied my . Below Aug 17, 2022 · We are going to learn about how to install Zsh on Debian 11. I'd like to make it the default shell, but I cannot run a command such as $ chsh -s $(which zsh) because I don't have admin Jun 24, 2018 · Bash isn’t a modern shell anymore. I'm using zsh terminal, and I'm trying to add a new entry (/home/david/pear/bin) to the PATH variable. Mar 19, 2025 · Compare the Bash vs. zshrc. Open up a terminal window and enter the command to get it working on your distribution. Feb 18, 2022 · Zsh is an extended version of the bash shell with added features and it is based on a similar shell as bash therefore bash commands are also applicable in zsh. Zsh even has limited support for set operations. Learn how to install zsh and make the default shell in your system. One particularly powerful shell that has gained immense popularity among developers and system administrators is Zsh (Z Shell). While they share many similarities, they also have some significant differences. May 2, 2022 · Zsh was designed with better user interaction in mind. Mar 9, 2020 · Install Zsh Before using the Zsh shell in place of Bash, you’ll need to install it on your Linux PC. Master basic Zsh setup quickly. Jan 2, 2023 · In this article, we are going to learn about how to install ZSH on Ubuntu 22. Firstly, find out if Discover how to change from zsh to bash effortlessly. According to the 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Bash remains one of the most commonly used technologies, with 63. Themeable prompts. This article will look at Bash vs Jun 1, 2024 · The ZSH (or Z shell) can be said to be an extended version of the standard Bash shell interpreter, written by Paul Falstad in 1990 while studying at Princeton University. Jan 18, 2022 · Learn how to install Zsh on Linux, understand shell types, configure startup files, and set Zsh as default. In this article, we will explain what is zsh and how to customize it using Oh My Zsh in Linux. These include: Powerful context based tab completion. Coupled with Oh My Zsh, a community-driven Unlike Bash, Zsh does not enable a built in help command, instead it provides run-help. Mar 3, 2017 · Most Linux distributions include the bash shell by default, but you could also switch to another shell environment. This is done by injecting arguments and/or environment variables when the shell session launches. Bash ( Bourne-Again shell ) Bash, or the Bourne-Again Shell, is by far the most popularly used shell and it comes installed as the default shell in the most popular Linux distributions. Learn which shell aligns with your command-line needs in this comprehensive comparison. Run the following command: chsh -s /bin/zsh Enter your password and your default shell will be changed to zsh. Zsh shell command languages, explore their differences, and see how to use both successfully. May 5, 2012 · I am trying to set ZSH as my default shell, however it keeps reverting back to bash. What is ZSH? ZSH, also called the Z shell, is an extended version of the Bourne Shell (sh), with new features and support for plugins and themes. Ubuntu sudo apt install zsh Debian sudo apt-get install zsh Arch Linux Arch Linux actually uses the Z Shell by Discover seamless ways to switch from bash to zsh and enhance your command line experience. The Bash configuration file is usually located at ~/. It does have some features form Bash with lots of added features like automatic cd (Change Directory), spell check, path expansion, and many more. 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. 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. With both Bash and Zsh providing compelling advantages, selecting the right shell for scripting can significantly shape your productivity, and simplify your daily tasks. And Bash is great – it gets the job done on basic terminal tasks. Nov 3, 2021 · Switching from Bash to Zsh? Getting your terminal on board can be tricky. How can you export your . bash_profile. ZSH has several advantages over Bash. Zsh in itself is also a compelling scripting language. Nov 18, 2023 · Trying out different Linux shells, like Zsh, can be a beneficial and easy process to find the one that aligns with your preferences. Sep 3, 2025 · Step-by-step Zsh tutorials. Learn to configure and use Zsh aliases. It is rich in features and easy to configure and customize. This blog post will guide you through the process of installing Zsh on Linux, explain its usage, cover common 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. zshrc, and it caused a lot of errors when I tried to use bash again. How to Install ZSH In this tutorial i am using Ubuntu. If you don’t know your shell path, then run type zsh in the terminal to get the desired path. How do I set the shell that is used when a user SSHs to a server. Terminal will need a restart to take effect. Learn to utilize themes, plugins, and advanced features for enhanced productivity. oh-my-zsh is an open source ZSH configuration framework with a rich plugin ecosystem. Learn how to set up Zsh on Ubuntu Linux with Oh My Zsh. 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. Discover which is better for scripting, performance, customization, and productivity in your terminal workflow. zsh most closely resembles ksh but includes many enhancements. 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. Zsh: The Feature-Rich Alternative Dec 16, 2024 · The most common default shell on most Linux distributions is the Bourne Again SHell (Bash). Moved Permanently. The features that default Zsh has over default Bash are aimed to make the shell more interactive, making it much more accessible and usable for users of all experience levels. Jan 10, 2025 · When it comes to command-line interfaces, the debate between Zsh vs Bash often takes center stage. Zsh or Z Shell is an advanced command line interpreter that offers many improvements over your default shell (probably bash). 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. A shell is essentially a program that provides an interface between you and the underlying operating system. May 20, 2025 · zsh Zsh is a UNIX command interpreter (shell) usable as an interactive login shell and as a shell script command processor. But Zsh has been gaining popularity over the last several years as an alternative shell. It comes with advanced autocompletion, better globbing, and a wide range of plugins and themes to improve your command-line experience. As an experienced Linux administrator, I often work with both the Bash and Zsh […] It still has bash installed (a fairly old version due to licensing) and existing accounts keep their perfered shell as bash but ya it is installed by default and new users have zsh as their perfered shell. For example I can't stand BASH and need to use ZSH, how do I make it so ZSH is loaded along with my profile (. Redirecting to /zsh/ Sep 24, 2014 · I am trying to move to zsh from bash. This guide provides simple steps and tips to make your shell transition smooth and swift. Oct 28, 2023 · Why Compare Bash and Zsh? Before we dive in, let‘s briefly go over why you‘d even want to compare Bash and Zsh. vfr krq quhcle mmeuxv qckfp gwwph xawmymt bnqbmse uvdwdbxl espjdo omtnctc ukyyx yshfp svxi ldpn