zsh-lovers - tips, tricks and examples for the Z shell
Just read it. ;-)
Whenever we look at the zsh manual we wonder why there are no examples or those @@ -575,6 +762,8 @@ details.
This section provides some examples for often needed shellscript-stuff. Notice @@ -583,7 +772,7 @@ Parse options in shellscripts. Example taken from ZWS by Adam Chodorowski (http://www.chodorowski.com/projects/zws/):
parse_options() ++parse_options $*parse_options() { o_port=(-p 9999) o_root=(-r WWW) @@ -602,21 +791,24 @@ Parse options in shellscripts. Example taken from ZWS by Adam Chodorowski if [[ $root[1] != '/' ]]; then root="$PWD/$root"; fi } # now use the function: -parse_options $*
Available subsections are Aliases, Completion, Unsorted/Misc examples, (Recursive) Globbing - Examples, Modifiers usage, Redirection-Examples, ZMV-Examples and Module-Examples.
Suffix aliases are supported in zsh since version 4.2.0. Some examples:
alias -s tex=vim ++alias -s org=w3malias -s tex=vim alias -s html=w3m -alias -s org=w3m
Now pressing return-key after entering foobar.tex starts vim with
foobar.tex. Calling a html-file runs browser w3m. www.zsh.org and pressing
@@ -624,15 +816,15 @@ enter starts w3m with argument www.zsh.org.
Global aliases can be used anywhere in the command line. Example:
$ alias -g C='| wc -l' ++443$ alias -g C='| wc -l' $ grep alias ~/.zsh/* C -443
Some more or less useful global aliases (choose whether they are useful or not for you on your own):
alias -g ...='../..' ++alias -g X='| xargs'alias -g ...='../..' alias -g ....='../../..' alias -g .....='../../../..' alias -g CA="2>&1 | cat -A" @@ -670,9 +862,11 @@ alias -g VM=/var/log/messages alias -g X0G='| xargs -0 egrep' alias -g X0='| xargs -0' alias -g XG='| xargs egrep' -alias -g X='| xargs'
See also man 1 zshcompctl zshcompsys zshcompwid. zshcompctl is the old style of zsh programmable completion, zshcompsys is the new completion system, zshcompwid are the zsh completion widgets.
zstyle ':completion:*' use-cache on -zstyle ':completion:*' cache-path ~/.zsh/cache+
zstyle ':completion:*' use-cache on
+zstyle ':completion:*' cache-path ~/.zsh/cachePrevent CVS files/directories from being completed:
zstyle ':completion:*:(all-|)files' ignored-patterns '(|*/)CVS' -zstyle ':completion:*:cd:*' ignored-patterns '(*/)#CVS'+
zstyle ':completion:*:(all-|)files' ignored-patterns '(|*/)CVS'
+zstyle ':completion:*:cd:*' ignored-patterns '(*/)#CVS'Fuzzy matching of completions for when you mistype them:
zstyle ':completion:*' completer _complete _match _approximate ++zstyle ':completion:*:approximate:*' max-errors 1 numericzstyle ':completion:*' completer _complete _match _approximate zstyle ':completion:*:match:*' original only -zstyle ':completion:*:approximate:*' max-errors 1 numeric
And if you want the number of errors allowed by _approximate to increase with the length of what you have typed so far:
zstyle -e ':completion:*:approximate:*' \ - max-errors 'reply=($((($#PREFIX+$#SUFFIX)/3))numeric)'+
zstyle -e ':completion:*:approximate:*' \
+ max-errors 'reply=($((($#PREFIX+$#SUFFIX)/3))numeric)'Ignore completion functions for commands you don’t have:
zstyle ':completion:*:functions' ignored-patterns '_*'+
zstyle ':completion:*:functions' ignored-patterns '_*'With helper functions like:
xdvi() { command xdvi ${*:-*.dvi(om[1])} }
+xdvi() { command xdvi ${*:-*.dvi(om[1])} }you can avoid having to complete at all in many cases, but if you do, you might want to fall into menu selection immediately and to have the words sorted by time:
zstyle ':completion:*:*:xdvi:*' menu yes select -zstyle ':completion:*:*:xdvi:*' file-sort time+
zstyle ':completion:*:*:xdvi:*' menu yes select
+zstyle ':completion:*:*:xdvi:*' file-sort timeCompleting process IDs with menu selection:
zstyle ':completion:*:*:kill:*' menu yes select -zstyle ':completion:*:kill:*' force-list always+
zstyle ':completion:*:*:kill:*' menu yes select
+zstyle ':completion:*:kill:*' force-list alwaysIf you end up using a directory as argument, this will remove the trailing slash (usefull in ln)
zstyle ':completion:*' squeeze-slashes true+
zstyle ':completion:*' squeeze-slashes truecd will never select the parent directory (e.g.: cd ../<TAB>):
zstyle ':completion:*:cd:*' ignore-parents parent pwd+
zstyle ':completion:*:cd:*' ignore-parents parent pwdAnother method for quick change directories. Add this to your ~/.zshrc, then just enter “cd …./dir”
rationalise-dot() {
+rationalise-dot() {
if [[ $LBUFFER = *.. ]]; then
LBUFFER+=/..
else
@@ -751,14 +945,16 @@ trailing slash (usefull in ln)
Hint: A list of valid glob Qualifiers can be found in zshexpn(1). See “man 1 zshexpn | less -p” Qualifiers for details.
# Get the names of all files that *don't* match a pattern *anywhere* on the +# Get the names of all files that *don't* match a pattern *anywhere* on the # file (and without ``-L'' because its GNUish) $ print -rl -- *(.^e{'grep -q pattern $REPLY'}) # or @@ -1080,21 +1276,23 @@ See “man 1 zshexpn | less -p” Qualifiers for details.
A list of valid glob Qualifiers can be found in zshexpn(1). Note: **/ is equivalent to (*/)#! For example:
$ print (*/)#zsh_us.ps ++zsh-4.2.3/Doc/zsh_us.ps$ print (*/)#zsh_us.ps zsh-4.2.3/Doc/zsh_us.ps $ print **/zsh_us.ps -zsh-4.2.3/Doc/zsh_us.ps
# Search for `README' in all Subdirectories +$ rmdir ./**/*(/od) 2> /dev/null # Show only files which are owned by group `users'. - $ ls -l *(G[users]) + $ ls -l *(G[users])# Search for `README' in all Subdirectories $ ls -l **/README # find directories that contain both "index.php" and "index.html", or in @@ -1240,15 +1438,17 @@ zsh-4.2.3/Doc/zsh_us.ps
Modifiers are a powerful mechanism that let you modify the results returned by parameter, filename and history expansion. See zshexpn(1) for details.
# NOTE: Zsh 4.3.4 needed! +# NOTE: Zsh 4.3.4 needed! $ autoload -U age # files modified today $ print *(e:age today now:) @@ -1328,13 +1528,15 @@ for details.
See zshmisc(1) for more informations (or less ${^fpath}/zmv(N))
# Append `exit 1' at the end of all *.sh - files +# Append `exit 1' at the end of all *.sh - files $ echo "exit 1" >> *.sh # adding files to foobar.tar.gz @@ -1380,13 +1582,15 @@ for details.
Note: -n means no execution (just print what would happen). At
# Remove illegal characters in a fat32 file system. Illegal characters are +# Remove illegal characters in a fat32 file system. Illegal characters are # / : ; * ? " < > | # NOTE: ``-Q'' and (D) is to include hidden files. $ unwanted='[:;*?\"<>|]' @@ -1543,32 +1747,39 @@ for details.
Please read zshmodules(1) first!
# Copy files of a certain period (date indicated in the filenames) ++ $ ls -d -- *(+m)# Copy files of a certain period (date indicated in the filenames) $ zmodload zsh/pcre $ ls -d -- *(e:'[[ $REPLY -pcre-match pcre-regexp ]]':) # or $ m() { [[ $1 -pcre-match pcre-regexp ]] } - $ ls -d -- *(+m)
# Creates a forked instance of the current shell ($! is set to zero) and ++ $ clone /dev/tty8 && (($! == 0)) && exec command# Creates a forked instance of the current shell ($! is set to zero) and # execute ``command'' on /dev/tty8 (for this example). $ zmodload zsh/clone - $ clone /dev/tty8 && (($! == 0)) && exec command
$ zmodload zsh/datetime +$ zmodload zsh/datetime $ alias datereplacement='strftime "%Y-%m-%d" $EPOCHSECONDS' $ export DATE=`datereplacement` $ echo $DATE @@ -1590,12 +1801,14 @@ for details.
# test if a symbolic link links to a certain file +# test if a symbolic link links to a certain file $ zmodload -i zsh/stat $ ! stat -LH s foo.ln || [[ $s[link] != "foo.exe" ]] || ln -sf foo.exe foo.ln @@ -1667,21 +1880,25 @@ for details.
# search a directory for files containing a certain string then copy those ++ $ cp $(grep -lZr foobar .) otherdirectory# search a directory for files containing a certain string then copy those # files to another directory. $ zmodload zsh/files $ IFS=$'\0' - $ cp $(grep -lZr foobar .) otherdirectory
# grepping for two patterns +# grepping for two patterns $ zmodload zsh/mapfile $ pattern1="foo" $ pattern2="bar foo" @@ -1721,12 +1938,14 @@ for details.
$ zmodload zsh/mathfunc ++ 0.01043488334700271$ zmodload zsh/mathfunc $ echo $(( sin(1/4.0)**2 + cos(1/4.0)**2 - 1 )) -1.1102230246251565e-16 $ echo $(( pi = 4.0 * atan(1.0) )) @@ -1736,22 +1955,26 @@ $ echo $(( f = sin(0.3) )) $ print $((1e12 * rand48())) 847909677310.23413 $ print $(( rand48(seed) )) - 0.01043488334700271
$ zmodload -ab zsh/termcap echotc ++ $ print -l ${GREEN}green ${YELLOW}yellow ${RED}red ${BRIGHTRED}brightred$ zmodload -ab zsh/termcap echotc $ GREEN=`echotc AF 2` $ YELLOW=`echotc AF 3` $ RED=`echotc AF 1` $ BRIGHTRED=`echotc md ; echotc AF 1` - $ print -l ${GREEN}green ${YELLOW}yellow ${RED}red ${BRIGHTRED}brightred
$ zmodload zsh/zpty ++ $ zpty -d PW$ zmodload zsh/zpty $ zpty PW passwd $1 $ zpty PW passwd $1 # ``-r'': read the output of the command name. @@ -1765,12 +1988,14 @@ $ print $(( rand48(seed) )) # previously started, by supplying a list of their names. If no names # are given, all commands are deleted. Deleting a command causes the HUP # signal to be sent to the corresponding process. - $ zpty -d PW
# ``-l'': open a socket listening on filename ++ $ 4>&- 5>&- 3>&# ``-l'': open a socket listening on filename # ``-d'': argument will be taken as the target file descriptor for the # connection # ``3'' : file descriptor. See ``A User's Guide to the Z-Shell'' @@ -1782,12 +2007,14 @@ $ print $(( rand48(seed) )) $ zsocket -a -d 5 3 # accept a connection $ echo foobar >&4 $ echo barfoo >&5 - $ 4>&- 5>&- 3>&
$ autoload -U zfinit ++ $ zfclose$ autoload -U zfinit $ zfinit $ zfparams www.example.invalid myuserid mypassword $ zfopen @@ -1833,12 +2060,14 @@ $ print $(( rand48(seed) )) # If the list.txt is located on the remote host, change to # zfget ${(f)"$(zftp get /path/to/remote/list.txt)"} $ zfget ${(f)"$(cat list.txt)"} - $ zfclose
# It's similar to ++> fi# It's similar to ,---- | $ sg=$(stty -g) | $ stty -icanon min 0 time 50 @@ -1854,55 +2083,71 @@ $ if zselect -t 500 -r 0 && read yesno && [ yes = "$yesno" ]; th > command1 > else > command1 -> fi
auto_cd (allow one to change to a directory by entering it as a command). auto_pushd (automatically append dirs to the push/pop list) pushd_ignore_dups (and don’t duplicate them).
no_hup (don’t send HUP signal to background jobs when exiting ZSH). print_exit_value (show a message with the exit code when a command returns with a non-zero exit code)
hist_verify (let the user edit the command line after history
expansion (e.g. !ls) instead of immediately running it)
Use the same history file for all sessions :
setopt SHARE_HISTORY
no_clobber (or set -C; prevent > redirection from truncating the given file if it already exists)
correct (automatically correct the spelling of commands). correct_all (automatically correct the spelling of each word on the command line) dvorak (dvorak layout)
Mailpath: simple multiple mailpath:
mailpath=($HOME/Mail/mbox'?new mail in mbox' ++ $HOME/Mail/ldap-fr'?new mail in ldap-fr')mailpath=($HOME/Mail/mbox'?new mail in mbox' $HOME/Mail/tux.u-strasbg'?new mail in tux' $HOME/Mail/lilo'?new mail in lilo' - $HOME/Mail/ldap-fr'?new mail in ldap-fr')
Mailpath: dynamic mailpath:
typeset -a mailpath ++donetypeset -a mailpath for i in ~/Mail/Lists/*(.); do mailpath[$#mailpath+1]="${i}?You have new mail in ${i:t}." -done
Avoid globbing on special commands:
for com in alias expr find mattrib mcopy mdir mdel which; -alias $com="noglob $com"+
for com in alias expr find mattrib mcopy mdir mdel which;
+alias $com="noglob $com"For migrating your bashprompt to zsh use the script bash2zshprompt located in the zsh source distribution under Misc.
function title {
+function title {
if [[ $TERM == "screen" ]]; then
# Use these two for GNU Screen:
print -nR $' 33k'$1$' 33'\
@@ -1932,20 +2177,22 @@ function preexec {
emulate -L zsh
local -a cmd; cmd=(${(z)1})
title $cmd[1]:t "$cmd[2,-1]"
-}
+}
Put the following line into your ~/.screenrc to see this fancy hardstatus:
caption always "%3n %t%? (%u)%?%?: %h%?"+
caption always "%3n %t%? (%u)%?%?: %h%?"Special variables which are assigned:
$LINENO $RANDOM $SECONDS $COLUMNS $HISTCHARS $UID -$EUID $GID $EGID $USERNAME $fignore $mailpath $cdpath+
$LINENO $RANDOM $SECONDS $COLUMNS $HISTCHARS $UID
+$EUID $GID $EGID $USERNAME $fignore $mailpath $cdpathThis manpage was written by Michael Prokop, Christian strcat @@ -2137,7 +2386,7 @@ Thanks for your cool and incredible tips. We learned much from you!
In alphabetic order:
Andrew 'zefram' Main - http://www.fysh.org/~zefram/ ++Sven Wischnowsky - http://w9y.de/zsh/zshrcAndrew 'zefram' Main - http://www.fysh.org/~zefram/ Barton E. Schaefer - http://www.well.com/user/barts/ Matthias Kopfermann - http://www.infodrom.north.de/~matthi/ Oliver Kiddle - http://people.freenet.de/opk/ @@ -2146,15 +2395,17 @@ Peter Stephenson - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/p.w.stephenson/ Richard Coleman Stephane Chazelas - http://stephane.chazelas.free.fr/ Sven Guckes - http://www.guckes.net/ -Sven Wischnowsky - http://w9y.de/zsh/zshrc
Manpages of zsh:
zsh Zsh overview +zshtcpsys Zsh tcp system zshzle Zsh command line editing zshzftpsys Zsh built-in FTP client - zshall Meta-man page containing all of the above + zshall Meta-man page containing all of the abovezsh Zsh overview zshall Tthe Z shell meta-man page zshbuiltins Zsh built-in commands zshcalsys zsh calendar system @@ -2171,29 +2422,34 @@ Sven Wischnowsky - http://w9y.de/zsh/zshrc
Note: especially man zshcontrib covers very useful topics!
Book: From Bash to Z Shell by Oliver Kiddle, Jerry Peck and Peter
Stephenson. ISBN: 1590593766. - bash2zsh.com
Also take a look at the section LINKS in this manpage.
Probably. This manpage might be never complete. So please report bugs, feedback and suggestions to <zsh-lovers@michael-prokop.at>. Thank you!
Copyright (C) Michael Prokop, Christian Schneider and Matthias Kopfermann.