When managing an Ubuntu Server, it is essential to equip oneself with the right tools and understand how to use them effectively. One tool that significantly enhances the command-line experience is known as ZSH, paired with ZSH Autosuggestions. This guide will show you how to Install ZSH and ZSH Autosuggestions on Ubuntu Server for a more interactive and productivity-centered usage.
Table of Contents
- What is ZSH?
- Getting Started: Installing ZSH on Ubuntu Server
- Making ZSH Your Default Shell
- Installing ZSH Autosuggestions
- Fine-tuning Your ZSH Experience
- Wrapping Up
What is ZSH?
Zsh, or Z Shell, is an extended variant of Bourne Shell that comprises several improvements, including but not limited to, better auto-completions, command-line correction, and an extensive scripting language. When paired with Zsh Autosuggestions, it starts providing suggestions as you type, based on your command history.
Getting Started: Installing ZSH on Ubuntu Server
Before we start, ensure that your server’s package lists are up-to-date by running the command:
sudo apt update
Then, you can install ZSH using the command:
sudo apt install zsh
Once the process is complete, verify your ZSH installation by executing:
zsh --version
This should output the version number of the ZSH installed in your system.
Making ZSH Your Default Shell
To further optimize your command-line experience, it’s recommended to make ZSH your default shell. Use the command:
chsh -s $(which zsh)
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)Then, log out and log back in to make these changes active.
Installing ZSH Autosuggestions
Now that ZSH is your default, we can move on to install ZSH Autosuggestions:
Clone the ZSH-Autosuggestions repository into your ZSH custom plugins directory:
git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions ~/.zsh/zsh-autosuggestions
Code language: PHP (php)Next, open your ZSH configuration file with:
nano ~/.zshrc
Locate and modify the ‘plugins’ line as follows:
source ~/.zsh/zsh-autosuggestions/zsh-autosuggestions.zsh
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)Save and exit your editor (CTRL+X for nano), and then source your .zshrc:
source ~/.zshrc
With this, you should now have ZSH Autosuggestions working.
Fine-tuning Your ZSH Experience
To further improve and customize your ZSH experience, you can install and utilize Oh My Zsh, a framework for managing your ZSH configuration.
For an optimized terminal experience on Windows, you can also explore Windows Terminal and WSL2. You can find a practical guide on how to install WSL2 with Windows Terminal here.
Wrapping Up
Mastering command-line tools goes a long way in enhancing your productivity when managing an Ubuntu Server. By learning how to install ZSH and ZSH Autosuggestions on Ubuntu Server, you make a significant leap towards an efficient, streamlined, and interactive command-line experience. Happy coding!
