Setting Up ZSH with Oh My ZSH

Introduction

ZSH (Z Shell) is a powerful alternative to Bash, especially when coupled with Oh My ZSH, a community-driven framework for managing ZSH configurations. This guide will walk you through installing and configuring ZSH with Oh My ZSH, including the popular Powerlevel10k theme and essential plugins.

Installation and Configuration Steps

Step 1: Install ZSH

sudo apt install -y zsh

Step 2: Change Default Shell to ZSH

chsh -s $(which zsh)

Step 3: Install Oh My ZSH

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Step 4: Install Powerlevel10k Theme

git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-$HOME/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/themes/powerlevel10k

Step 5: Enable Powerlevel10k Theme

Open ~/.zshrc and set:

ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"

Step 6: Change Default Font to Nerd Font

Download and install the IntoneMono Nerd Font for better visual experience.

Step 7: Configure Powerlevel10k

p10k configure

Essential Plugins

Here are the top 5 ZSH plugins that enhance your shell experience:

1. Autosuggestions

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions

2. Syntax Highlighting

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-syntax-highlighting.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-syntax-highlighting

3. Fast Syntax Highlighting

git clone https://github.com/zdharma-continuum/fast-syntax-highlighting ${ZSH_CUSTOM:=~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/fast-syntax-highlighting

4. ZSH Autocomplete

git clone --depth 1 -- https://github.com/marlonrichert/zsh-autocomplete.git $ZSH_CUSTOM/plugins/zsh-autocomplete

To enable, add to ~/.zshrc:

plugins=(git zsh-autosuggestions zsh-syntax-highlighting fast-syntax-highlighting zsh-autocomplete colored-man-pages)

Don't forget to:

source ~/.zshrc

Customizing ls tool

Install colorls

sudo gem install colorls

maybe you'll get some gem errors, you should fix it

sudo apt install ruby-full

Update ~/.zshrc:

if [ -x "$(command -v exa)" ]; then
    alias ls="exa"
    alias la="exa --long --all --group"
fi

Setting Up Tmux

Step 1: Install Tmux

sudo apt install -y tmux

Step 2: Install TPM (Tmux Plugin Manager)

git clone https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm ~/.tmux/plugins/tpm

Step 3: Create ~/.tmux.conf file

Copy the provided configuration and save it as ~/.tmux.conf , used the dracula theme

# Unbinds the default prefix Ctrl-b and sets it to Ctrl-Space for better usability.
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-Space

# Enables mouse mode for easier navigation and interaction within TMUX.
set -g mouse on

# Sets the base index for windows and panes to 1, ensuring consistent numbering.
set -g base-index 1
set -g pane-base-index 1
set-window-option -g pane-base-index 1

# Automatically renumbers windows when one is closed.
set-option -g renumber-windows on

# Configures the Dracula theme with specific plugins and settings.
set -g @dracula-plugins "cpu-usage ram-usage network-ping ssh-session"
set -g @dracula-ping-server "google.com"
set -g @dracula-ping-rate 5
set -g @dracula-show-ssh-session-port true
set -g @dracula-border-contrast true
set -g @dracula-show-powerline true
set -g @dracula-show-left-icon session
set -g @dracula-show-empty-plugins false
set -g @dracula-left-icon-padding 0
set -g @dracula-network-ping-colors "pink dark_gray"

# Sets up plugins including Dracula theme, TPM (Tmux Plugin Manager), tmux-sensible, and tmux-yank.
set -g @plugin 'dracula/tmux'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-yank'

# Enables vi-mode for copy mode and customizes keybindings for selection and copying.
set-window-option -g mode-keys vi
bind-key -T copy-mode-vi v send-keys -X begin-selection
bind-key -T copy-mode-vi C-v send-keys -X rectangle-toggle
bind-key -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-selection-and-cancel

# Installs TMUX plugins using TPM.
run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'

Step 4: Source the Configuration

tmux source ~/.tmux.conf

Step 5: Install Plugins

Press Ctrl+Space + I to install the plugins.

Step 6: tmux autostart

You have to put these lines between your plugins and your oh-my-zsh source in ~/.zshrc .

ZSH_TMUX_AUTOSTART=true
ZSH_TMUX_DEFAULT_SESSION_NAME=Working

Conclusion

You've successfully set up ZSH with Oh My ZSH, configured Powerlevel10k theme, essential plugins, and Tmux. Enjoy your enhanced shell experience!