Atul Maurya - Blogs

Zsh = Z Shell

It is a modern, powerful shell built on top of sh/bash ideas, but focused more on interactive comfort.

Think of it like this:

bash = Android phone

zsh = Android + custom ROM + premium UI

(same power, but smoother and smarter)

macOS uses Zsh as the default shell now.

1. Why is Zsh so popular?

Because it gives you:

Auto-suggestions while typing

Very smart tab completion

Powerful globbing

Better command history

Easy customization (themes & plugins)

Excellent interactive experience

Works perfectly with DevOps & development tools

This is why macOS users and power users love zsh.

2. Where is Zsh located?

Usually at:

/bin/zsh

Many scripts or shells start with:

#!/bin/zsh

→ This means “Run this using the Zsh shell.”

3. Zsh Prompt — Why It Looks So Cool

The modern prompt you see:

atul@macbook ~/project ❯

comes from zsh customization.

Zsh can show:

Git branch

Exit status

Icons

Colors

Path shortcuts

(all without extra scripting)

4. Zsh Configuration File

Zsh reads settings from:

~/.zshrc

This is where you:

Set aliases

Enable plugins

Change themes

Customize behavior

5. Your First Zsh Script

Create a file: hello.zsh

#!/bin/zsh
echo "Hello from zsh!"

Run it:

chmod +x hello.zsh
./hello.zsh

Output:

Hello from zsh!

6. When should YOU use Zsh?

If you are on macOS

If you want best interactive experience

If you use Git daily

If you like productivity & clean UI

Zsh is not required, but it makes life easier.

7. Zsh vs Bash (Truth)

Scripts → Bash

Daily terminal work → Zsh

Servers → Bash

macOS → Zsh

8. Story to Remember Zsh Forever

If sh is the grandfather

and bash is the smart grandson

then zsh is the stylish grandson —

same brain as bash, but dressed better, talks smarter, and helps before you ask.

👉 Zsh = Bash + comfort + intelligence

Home work (Must go though these Features) For getting a basic Idea :

9 Zsh Features You Will Actually Use

Only real-life useful features, nothing extra.

1. Auto-suggestions (Big Zsh advantage)

Start typing:

git pu

Zsh suggests:

git push origin main

(Press → to accept)

2. Smart Tab Completion

Type:

cd Do

Press TAB → shows options like:

Documents/ Downloads/

3. Better Command History

Searches history as you type

Smarter than bash history

4. Aliases

alias gs="git status"

Now just type:

gs

5. Advanced Globbing

ls **/*.js

Lists all .js files recursively

(bash can’t do this easily)

Zsh (Z Shell) :