As developers, we spend a lot of time crafting code in the command line. Using an outdated default shell like Bash wastes productivity that could be unlocked with modern alternatives like Zsh.
The Z shell offers killer features for coders including advanced autocomplete, plugins, Git integration, and custom themes. The switch is certainly worthwhile, but actually setting Zsh as the login shell can get tricky on Mac.
Let‘s delve into foolproof solutions for the pesky "update your account to use zsh, please run chsh" error. We‘ll also explore performance tuning, customization techniques, and comparisons with other popular shells. Read on to become a Zsh power user!
Zsh vs. Other Shells: How Does it Compare?
Before fixing the chsh error during setup, it helps to understand what makes Zsh special in the first place. How does it compare with old faithful Bash or trendy new upstart Fish?
| Feature | Bash | Fish | Zsh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-suggestions | ❌ | ✅ | Plugins |
| Syntax highlighting | ❌ | Limited | ✅ |
| Custom Themes | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Key bindings | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Scripting | POSIX | Forks Zsh | Native |
| macOS support | ✅ | Limited | ✅ |
Fish: The Friendly Choice
Fish offers a uniquely intuitive take on shell navigation with smart autocomplete. It uses syntax reminiscent of web development to lower the entry bar.
However, Fish must fork other shells under the hood for strong scripting support. This hampers POSIX compatibility slightly. It also has limitations in the macOS Terminal app currently.
Overall Fish is great for beginners but may frustrate power users in the long run.
Bash: The Overused Default
As the assumed shell on most systems, Bash is reliable and compatible. But it lacks quality-of-life features for coders available in Zsh and Fish. Using Bash today feels restrictive once you grow accustomed to advanced completion and undo capabilities.
Bash‘s conservative design is great for servers. But for your primary desktop it leaves lots on the table.
Zsh: Feature Rich Powerhouse
In contrast, Zsh offers a "best of all worlds" approach. The autocomplete is more unobtrusive than Fish but still handy. Native POSIX compliance makes scripting easy. An active plugin community unlocks endless extensibility.
For power users, Zsh doesn‘t get in your way but offers tricks to enhance workflow. The configurability shines on macOS in particular. Overall Zsh reduces repetition and unlocks coveted time to create.
Now that we‘ve covered the appeal of Zsh, let‘s tackle switching from Bash…
Troubleshooting the "Run chsh" Issue
Attempting to run:
chsh -s /bin/zshOften results in this frustrating output:
update your account to use zsh, please run chsh This means while Zsh is configured correctly behind the scenes in /etc/passwd, the change hasn‘t applied to our current shell session. We‘re still on Bash even after chsh.
Why Existing Sessions Get Confused
The chsh command updates your default shell on a system level. But this change doesn‘t automatically apply to any existing console or app windows using Bash prior.
The sessions need to be closed completely and reactivated to "catch up" with the profile swap.
So how do we resolve this disconnect?
Forcing the Update to Apply
Getting the update to stick involves ending lingering shell sessions and spawning new ones:
-
Verify if shell changed already with
echo $SHELL. If/bin/zshskip to step 6. -
Run shell change command again:
chsh -s /bin/zsh -
Close all terminal windows and apps using previous Bash shell.
-
Open a fresh terminal window to load updated profile.
-
Test if zsh is now active shell with
echo $SHELL. Should print/bin/zsh. -
Check zsh initialized properly with
zsh --version.
Once --version returns details without errors, the transition is complete!
Pros and Cons of Switching Shells
Before moving forward with customizing our fresh Zsh setup, let‘s discuss the implications of changing shells broadly.
Pros:
- Unlock advanced features like autocomplete and undo
- Enhanced productivity and control
- Customization improves user experience
- Modern tooling integration
Cons:
- Adjusting to new syntax and behaviors
- Pre-existing scripts may need tweaking for compatibility
- Feature lag if alternative shell is behind on updates
Thankfully Zsh avoids most downsides. Its design ensures backwards compatibility along with progressive enhancement.
Now let‘s explore unlocking its full potential!
Customizing Zsh: Unleashing the Power
With the foundation established, let‘s go beyond defaults to really maximize productivity.
Must-Have Plugin Extensions
The hundreds of plugins available enable anything from auto-suggestions to terminal fanciness:
# Enabling plugins in ~/.zshrc
source /usr/share/zsh-autosuggestions/zsh-autosuggestions.zsh
source /usr/share/zsh-syntax-highlighting/zsh-syntax-highlighting.zsh
source /usr/share/zsh-history-substring-search/zsh-history-substring-search.zshHere are my top picks:
- zsh-autosuggestions – Fish style autocomplete from history
- zsh-syntax-highlighting – Color coded directories, prompts, and output
- zsh-history-substring-search – Intuitive history searcher
Theme Customization
An easy way to enhance the interface is by tweaking your theme file:
# .zshrc theme setup
ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k" # Set theme
source $ZSH/oh-my-zsh.sh # Refresh settingsTop themes include:
- powerlevel10k – Heavily configurable, very popular
- spaceship – Minimalist, focuses on Git status
Both allow prompt customization with glyphs, colors, etc. Adjust fonts and palettes to your liking!
Key Bindings For Complex Commands
Bind tricky commands to key combos for rapid access:
# Custom key binding
bindkey ‘^R‘ history-incremental-pattern-search-backwardNow Ctrl+R offers convenient history search! Set custom shortcuts directly in ~/.zshrc.
Benchmarking Performance
With plugins and settings piling up, startup time can suffer. We can objectively measure shell load speed with zsh_stats:
zsh_stats
Load Time: 478 Milliseconds
Plugins: 12
Completion: 148 Modules
History Size: 3040 Events
If lag is noticeable, optimize with:
- Zplugin for parallel loading
- Disable slow plugins
- .zcompdump caching
This feedback loop allows us to tune responsiveness over time.
Integrating Zsh with Editors & IDEs
To complement all these terminal niceties, ensure your text editor works smoothly:
Visual Studio Code
Install the Code Zsh extension for enhanced autocomplete, syntax checking, and snippets support.
Enable code command integration to quickly open projects and workspaces too.
JetBrains Tools
For IDEs like PHPStorm, set the integrated terminal shell to Zsh. Enable meta key bindings for native feel.
Bonus: Install the Zsh plugin for additional autocomplete and refactoring capabilities.
Configuring Root Shell
Since Zsh is only set for our user account by default, enable it for root and sudo access too:
sudo chsh -s /bin/zshNow all sessions inherit the poweruser setup!
Leveling Up Your Scripting Abilities
Once comfortable with daily usage, it‘s time to hack around under the hood!
Zsh‘s scripting offers POSIX compliance with extra bonuses:
Glob Operators
Filter and transform filenames rapidly without a loop:
# All PNG files created since yesterday
ls -l *(.om[1,-2])Learn powerful glob qualifiers to slice and dice lists with ease.
Command Substitution
Capture command output for variable assignment or piping:
# Fetch weather data
weather=$(curl wttr.in?format=j1)
echo $weather | jq .No need for messy temporary files!
Zcalc Built-In Math
Avoid spawning BC/DC just for number crunching:
# Crunch numbers in a script
zcalc ‘sin(45 deg) * 32.2‘Lean on the built-in calculator for all basic math operations.
Should I Switch from Bash?
At this point you may wonder if sticking to dependable Bash is the better choice. Why risk breaking your finely tuned environment if Bash "gets the job done"?
In my opinion, the efficiency gains and customizability of Zsh outweigh any minor hassle adapting muscle memory. The learning curve really isn‘t bad since Zsh retains Bash compatibility.
I estimate saving at least 5% of my daily keystrokes – that adds up! The quality-of-life boost is noticeable within days and keeps growing. Tiny frustrations like typos and generic completion evaporate.
The only case where Bash may retain an edge is for servers requiring POSIX test compliance. For general desktop use, I encourage all developers to enroll in Zsh!
Correctly resolving the "please run chsh" error is just the first step toward Zsh mastery. With the guidelines provided, switching default shells should be simple. We also discussed rationale for abandoning Bash in favor of advanced scripting features.
We‘ve only scratched the surface of plugins, completion tools, prompt tweaking, and scripting tricks available. I highly suggest all programmers invest time customizing Zsh to maximize productivity.
The effort to set up a refined flow pays continuous dividends. Please let me know in the comments if any shell switching issues crop up!