I recently (201207) switched to zsh from bash. Although I liked bash I did find it lacking at times. I poked at some other shells before but never really invested time in one.

Recently a friend did show me her cool zsh configuration, so I though it may be worth some of my time.

Here you will find a few screenshots and my commented .zshrc.

• Auto-update (checked at login, max 1x per day)
• Directory change shorthand enabled
• Extra globbing
• Colorization support for linux, solaris and mac os x (Or as good as I could get it)
• Per host customizations (See example for Axion, my mac with macports)
• Keybinds that work in xterm, putty, iterm, terminal.app and sun-color
• Auto completion
  • kill menu
  • killall menu
  • ssh host completion with auto .ssh/config setup
  • ssh user completion, stripped most comon system users to keep the list short
• Multiple prompts (double, minimal, gentoo and gentoo-server)
  • minimal and double themes have a UTF-8 check mark/cross character (with fall back for non-compat systems)

User prompt, showing of the exit code indicated and auto completion.

Root prompt, same as user but with red brackets.

Custom hostname color for Axion.

Alternative style, taking 2 lines instead of one.

Nostalgia, gentoo mode.

## .zshrc
# by Jorge Schrauwen <jorge@blackdot.be>
# Version 20141225008
#         YYYYMMDD###

# How to install
# curl -sk "https://docu.blackdot.be/getRaw.php?onlyCode=true&id=configuration:zsh" -o ~/.zshrc 
#
# Change Log
# - 20141225: --- - set NOFANCY_PROMPT to disable UTF-8 prompt
# - 20141225: fix - broken dual and gentoo-server themes
# - 20141225: --- - reworked flow
# - 20141225: new - local option override (.zopts)
#                   * also allows for alternate NZSHRC to be set
# - 20141225: fix - updated automatic update function
# - 20141223: fix - disable autocomplete of arguments
# - 20141223: new - disabled beep
# - 20141223: fix - disabled homedir autocomplete
# - 20141008: new - SmartOS support LX brand /native
# - 20141003: new - OpenBSD pkg_add helper
# - 20141002: --- - Solaris re-order PATH/MANPATH
# - 20141002: --- - avoid double sourcing, .zprofile -> .zlocal
# - 20140820: fix - MacOSX Yosemite ctr+r works
# - 20140727: fix - Solaris zshenable works
# - 20140727: fix - don't butcher EDITOR
# - 20140726: new - SmartOS zone support
# - 20140629: new - MacOSX pkgsrc on OSX (http://saveosx.org)
# - 20140421: new - OpenBSD color ls
# - 20131013: new - Solaris zfs compatible rsync alias
# - 20131010: --- - path cleanup
# - 20131009: new - Solaris path tweaks + colorls
# - 20130730: fix - OmniOS manpages
# - 20130716: fix - Solaris sbin handling
# - 20130629: new - OmniOS obd repository support
# - 20130625: fix - OmniOS fixed broken isaexec
# - 20130621: fix - OmniOS add sbin only when staff
# - 20130520: new - OmniOS support
# - 20120823: new - automatic update
# - 20120821: new - disable UTF-8 check-mark with .znofancy

# {{{ updater
    NZSHRC="https://docu.blackdot.be/getRaw.php?onlyCode=true&id=configuration:zsh"
    CHECK_UPDATE=1
    AUTO_UPDATE=1
# }}}

# {{{ options
    ## change directory 
    setopt auto_cd      # drop cd
    
    ## enable command correction
    setopt correct
    #setopt correct_all  

    ## prevent file overwrite
    setopt no_clobber

    ## pound sign in interactive prompt
    setopt interactive_comments 

    ## superglobs
    #setopt extended_glob
    unsetopt case_glob
    
    ## expansions performed in prompt
    setopt prompt_subst
    setopt magic_equal_subst

    ## prompt about background jobs on exit
    setopt check_jobs

    ## notify on job complete
    setopt notify
    
    ## disable beep
    unsetopt beep
    setopt no_beep
    
    # include local options
    [[ -e ~/.zopts ]] && source ~/.zopts
# }}}

# {{{ prompt
    # enable colors module
    autoload -U colors && colors

    # utf8 checkmarks
    PROMPT_CO='.'
    PROMPT_CE='!'
    case $LANG in *UTF-8)
        case $TERM in (xterm*)
            if [[ ! -z $NOFANCY_PROMPT ]] ; then
                PROMPT_CO='✓'
                PROMPT_CE='✗'
            fi
        ;; esac
    ;; esac

    [[ -z $THEME ]] && THEME=minimal
    case $THEME in
        gentoo)
            PROMPT='%(!.%{$fg_bold[red]%}.%{$fg_bold[green]%}%n@)%m %{$fg_bold[blue]%}%(!.%1~.%~) %#%{$reset_color%} '
        ;;
        gentoo_server)
            PROMPT='%(!.%{$fg_bold[red]%}.%{$fg_bold[yellow]%}%n@)%m %{$fg_bold[blue]%}%(!.%1~.%~) %#%{$reset_color%} '
        ;;
        minimal)
            PROMPT=$'%{$fg_bold[grey]%}-(%{$reset_color%}%{$fg_bold[white]%}%1~%{$reset_color%}%{$fg_bold[grey]%})-[%{$reset_color%}%(?,%{$fg_bold[green]%}$PROMPT_CO%{$reset_color%},%{$fg_bold[red]%}$PROMPT_CE%{$reset_color%})%{$fg_bold[grey]%}]-%{$reset_color%}%(!.%{$fg_bold[red]%}.%{$fg_bold[yellow]%}){%{$reset_color%} '
            RPROMPT=$'%(!.%{$fg_bold[red]%}.%{$fg_bold[yellow]%})}%{$reset_color%}%{$fg_bold[grey]%}-(%{$reset_color%}%{$fg_bold[$PROMPT_HOST_COLOR]%}%n@%m%{$reset_color%}%{$fg_bold[grey]%})-%{$reset_color%}'
        ;;
        dual)
            PROMPT=$'%{$fg_bold[grey]%}[%{$fg_bold[$PROMPT_HOST_COLOR]%}%m %{$fg_bold[grey]%}:: %(!.%{$fg_bold[red]%}.%{$fg_bold[green]%})%n%{$fg_bold[grey]%}][%{$fg_bold[white]%}%~%{$fg_bold[grey]%}]\n[%(?,%{$fg_bold[green]%}$PROMPT_CO%{$reset_color%},%{$fg_bold[red]%}$PROMPT_CE%{$reset_color%})%{$fg_bold[grey]%}]%(!.%{$fg_bold[red]%}#.%{$fg_bold[green]%}$)%{$reset_color%} '
        ;;
    esac
    unset THEME
# }}}

# {{{ history
    # history file
    HISTFILE=~/.zhistory
    HISTSIZE=10000
    SAVEHIST=10000

    # share history file
    setopt share_history
    setopt inc_append_history

    # ignore duplicates
    setopt hist_ignore_all_dups
    
    # ignore entries starting with a space
    setopt hist_ignore_space
# }}}

# {{{ keybindings
    # generic
    bindkey "\e[1~" beginning-of-line # Home
    bindkey "\e[4~" end-of-line # End
    bindkey "\e[5~" beginning-of-history # PageUp
    bindkey "\e[6~" end-of-history # PageDown
    bindkey "\e[2~" quoted-insert # Ins
    bindkey "\e[3~" delete-char # Del
    bindkey "\e[5C" forward-word
    bindkey "\eOc" emacs-forward-word
    bindkey "\e[5D" backward-word
    bindkey "\eOd" emacs-backward-word
    bindkey "\e\e[C" forward-word
    bindkey "\e\e[D" backward-word
    bindkey "\e[Z" reverse-menu-complete # Shift+Tab
    bindkey '^R' history-incremental-search-backward
    bindkey ' ' magic-space # becasue I am lazy

    # for rxvt
    bindkey "\e[7~" beginning-of-line # Home
    bindkey "\e[8~" end-of-line # End

    # for non RH/Debian xterm, can't hurt for RH/Debian xterm
    bindkey "\eOH" beginning-of-line
    bindkey "\eOF" end-of-line

    # for freebsd/darwin console
    bindkey "\e[H" beginning-of-line
    bindkey "\e[F" end-of-line
# }}}

# {{{ auto completion
    ## base
    autoload -U compinit && compinit

    ## complete from withing word
    setopt complete_in_word

    ## complete aliases
    setopt complete_aliases

    ## pretty menu's
    zstyle ':completion:*' menu select=1
    zstyle ':completion:*' list-colors ${(s.:.)LS_COLORS}
    setopt auto_menu    # show menu on 2nd <tab>
    setopt list_rows_first  # use row list if possible

    ## Ignore completions for commands that we dont have
    zstyle ':completion:*:functions' ignored-patterns '_*'

    ## enable case-insensitive completion
    zstyle ':completion:*' matcher-list 'm:{a-zA-Z}={A-Za-z}'

    ## enable caching
    zstyle ':completion::complete:*' use-cache on
    zstyle ':completion::complete:*' cache-path ~/.zcache

    ## Prevent re-suggestion
    zstyle ':completion:*:rm:*' ignore-line yes
    zstyle ':completion:*:scp:*' ignore-line yes
    zstyle ':completion:*:ls:*' ignore-line yes

    ## enable killall menu
    zstyle ':completion:*:processes-names' command 'ps -u $(whoami) -o comm='
    zstyle ':completion:*:processes-names' menu yes select
    zstyle ':completion:*:processes-names' force-list always    

    ## enable kill menu
    zstyle ':completion:*:kill:*' command 'ps -u $(whoami) -o pid,pcpu,pmem,cmd'
    zstyle ':completion:*:*:kill:*:processes' list-colors '=(#b) #([0-9]#)*=0=01;32'
    zstyle ':completion:*:*:kill:*' menu yes select
    zstyle ':completion:*:kill:*' force-list always
    zstyle ':completion:*:kill:*' insert-ids single

    ## enable make completion
    compile=(all clean compile disclean install remove uninstall)
    compctl -k compile make

    ## ssh host completion
    if [ ! -f ~/.ssh/config ]; then
        [ -f ~/.ssh/known_hosts ] && rm ~/.ssh/known_hosts
        mkdir -p ~/.ssh
        echo "HashKnownHosts no" >>! ~/.ssh/config
        chmod 0600 ~/.ssh/config
    fi
    zstyle -e ':completion::*:ssh:*:hosts' hosts 'reply=(${=${${(f)"$(cat {/etc/ssh_,~/.ssh/known_}hosts(|2)(N) /dev/null)"}%%[# ]*}//,/ })'
    zstyle ':completion:*:ssh:*' group-order hosts-domain hosts-host users hosts-ipaddr

    ## ssh user completion cleanup
    zstyle ':completion:*:ssh:*:users' ignored-patterns \
        adm alias apache at bin cron cyrus daemon distcache exim ftp games gdm \
        guest gopher haldaemon halt mail man messagebus mysql named news nobody nut \
        nfsnobody lp operator portage postfix postgres postmaster qmaild qmaill qmailp \
        qmailq qmailr qmails rpmbuild rpc rpcuser shutdown smmsp squid sshd sync saslauth \
        uucp vcsa vpopmail xfs 
# }}}

# {{{ functions
    # update .zshrc
    zshupdate() { 
        # main
        if [ -z "`which curl`" ]; then
            echo 'Please install curl!'
            exit
        fi
        NV=`curl -sk ${NZSHRC} | head -n3 | tail -n1 | awk '{ print $3 }'`
        OV=`cat ~/.zshrc | head -n3 | tail -n1 | awk '{ print $3 }'`
        [ -z "${NV}" ] && NV=0
        
        if [ ${NV} -gt ${OV} ]; then
            echo -n "[>>] Updating from ${OV} to ${NV} ...\r"
            mv ~/.zshrc ~/.zshrc.old
            curl -sk ${NZSHRC} -o ~/.zshrc
            source ~/.zshrc
            echo '[OK]'
        else
            echo "[OK] No update needed."
        fi
    }

    # auto update check
    if [ ${CHECK_UPDATE} -gt 0 ]; then
        if [ `find ~/.zshrc -mmin +1440` ]; then
            touch ~/.zshrc
            NV=`curl -sk -m 3 ${NZSHRC} | head -n3 | tail -n1 | awk '{ print $3 }'`
            OV=`cat ~/.zshrc | head -n3 | tail -n1 | awk '{ print $3 }'`
            [ -z "${NV}" ] && NV=0
        
            if [ ${NV} -gt ${OV} ]; then
                if [ ${AUTO_UPDATE} -gt 0 ]; then
                    zshupdate
                else
                    echo "Please run zshupdate to update .zshrc to version ${NV}!"
                fi
            fi
        fi
    fi

    # remove ssh known_hosts key
    delete_sshhost() {
        if [[ -z "$1" ]] ; then
            echo "usage: \e[1;36mdelete_sshhost \e[1;0m< host >"
            echo "       Removes the specified host from ssh known host list"
        else
            sed -i -e "/$1/d" $HOME/.ssh/known_hosts
        fi
    }
# }}}

# {{{ variables
    # preferences
    which nano &> /dev/null ; [ $? -eq 0 ] && export EDITOR='nano'
    which vim &> /dev/null ; [ $? -eq 0 ] && export EDITOR='vim'
    export PAGER='less'
# }}}

# {{{ aliases
    # nano wrapping
    which nano &> /dev/null ; [ $? -eq 0 ] && alias nano='nano -w'

    # default for ls
    alias ll='ls -l'
    alias lr='ls -R'

    case $OSTYPE in solaris*)
        alias zfs_rsync='rsync -avAPh'
        alias zfs_rsync+='rsync -avAPh --delete'
    ;; esac

    # include local aliases
    [[ -e ~/.aliasses ]] && mv ~/.aliasses ~/.aliases
    [[ -e ~/.aliases ]] && source ~/.aliases
# }}}

# {{{ advanced
    ## fix url quote's
    if [[ ${ZSH_VERSION//\./} -ge 420 ]] ; then
         autoload -U url-quote-magic
         zle -N self-insert url-quote-magic
    fi

    ## os specific
    case $OSTYPE in linux*)
        # detect root or staff
        [ $UID -eq 0 ] && WANT_SBIN=1
        [ $(groups | grep -c sudo) -gt 0 ] && WANT_SBIN=1
        [ $(groups | grep -c wheel) -gt 0 ] && WANT_SBIN=1
  
        # colorization
        [ -f /etc/DIR_COLORS ] && eval $(dircolors -b /etc/DIR_COLORS)
        [ -f ~/.dir_colors ] && eval $(dircolors -b ~/.dir_colors)

        if [ -n "${LS_COLORS}" ]; then
            export ZLSCOLORS="${LS_COLORS}"
            alias ls='ls --color=auto'
            alias grep='grep --color=auto'
        fi
  
        # LX BrandZ
        [ -d /native/usr/bin ] && export PATH=$PATH:/native/usr/bin
        [ -d /native/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/native/sbin
        [ -d /native/usr/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/native/usr/sbin
    ;; esac
    case $OSTYPE in solaris*)
        # detect root or staff
        [ $UID -eq 0 ] && WANT_SBIN=1
        [ $(groups | grep -c staff) -gt 0 ] && WANT_SBIN=1
        [ $(groups | grep -c sysadmin) -gt 0 ] && WANT_SBIN=1
        export MANPATH=/usr/share/man

        # add /usr/sbin if wanted
        [ $(echo $PATH | grep -c '/usr/sbin:')  -eq 0 ] && 
            [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/usr/sbin

        # check for gnu
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#:/usr/gnu/s?bin##g')
        [ -d /usr/gnu/bin ] && export PATH=$PATH:/usr/gnu/bin
        [ -d /usr/gnu/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/usr/gnu/sbin
  
        # check for obd repository (omnios)
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#/opt/obd/s?bin:##g')
        export MANPATH=$(echo $MANPATH | /bin/sed -r 's#/opt/obd/share/man:##g')
        [ -d /opt/obd/bin ] && export PATH=$PATH:/opt/obd/bin
        [ -d /opt/obd/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/opt/obd/sbin
        [ -d /opt/obd/share/man ] && export MANPATH=$MANPATH:/opt/obd/share/man
  
        # check for pkgsrc (smartos)
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#/opt/local/s?bin:##g')
        [ -d /opt/local/bin ] && export PATH=/opt/local/bin:$PATH
        [ -d /opt/local/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=/opt/local/sbin:$PATH
        [ -d /opt/local/man ] && export MANPATH=/opt/local/man:$MANPATH

        # check for omniti repository (omnios)
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#/opt/omni/s?bin:##g')
        export MANPATH=$(echo $MANPATH | /bin/sed -r 's#/opt/omni/share/man:##g')
        [ -d /opt/omni/bin ] && export PATH=$PATH:/opt/omni/bin
        [ -d /opt/omni/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/opt/omni/sbin
        [ -d /opt/omni/share/man ] && export MANPATH=$MANPATH:/opt/omni/share/man

        # check for sfw
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#:/usr/sfw/s?bin##g')
        [ -d /usr/sfw/bin ] && export PATH=$PATH:/usr/sfw/bin

        # check for local
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#/usr/local/s?bin:##g')
        [ -d /usr/local/bin ] && export PATH=/usr/local/bin:$PATH
        [ -d /usr/local/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=/usr/local/sbin:$PATH

        # check for opencsw
        export PATH=$(echo $PATH | /bin/sed -r 's#:/opt/csw/s?bin##g')
        [ -d /opt/csw/bin ] && export PATH=$PATH:/opt/csw/gnu:/opt/csw/bin
        [ -d /opt/csw/sbin ] && [[ -n $WANT_SBIN ]] && export PATH=$PATH:/opt/csw/sbin

        # colorization
        [ "$(which ls)" = "/usr/bin/ls" ] && alias ls='ls --color'

        # selective gnu / colorization
        [ "$(which ls)" = "/usr/gnu/bin/ls" ] && alias ls='/usr/gnu/bin/ls --color=auto'
        [ -e /usr/gnu/bin/grep ] && alias grep='/usr/gnu/bin/grep --color=auto'
        [ -e /usr/gnu/bin/sed ] && alias sed='/usr/gnu/bin/sed'
        [ -e /usr/gnu/bin/diff ] && alias diff='/usr/gnu/bin/diff'
        [ -e /usr/gnu/bin/tar ] && alias tar='/usr/gnu/bin/tar'
        [ -e /usr/gnu/bin/rm ] && alias rm='/usr/gnu/bin/rm'
    ;; esac
    case $OSTYPE in openbsd*)
        # set PKG_PATH
        export PKG_PATH=http://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/`uname -r`/packages/`uname -m`/  

        # colorization
        [ -e /usr/local/bin/colorls ] && alias ls='/usr/local/bin/colorls -G'
    ;; esac
    case $OSTYPE in darwin*)
        # colorization
        export CLICOLOR=1
        alias ls='ls -G'

        # macports (with gnu)
        if [ -e /opt/local/bin/port ]; then
            export PATH=/opt/local/libexec/gnubin:/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:$PATH
            export MANPATH=/opt/local/share/man:$MANPATH
            if [ -f ~/.dir_colors ]; then
                eval $(dircolors -b ~/.dir_colors)
                export ZLSCOLORS="${LS_COLORS}"
                unalias ls &> /dev/null
                alias ls='ls --color=auto'
            fi
            if [ -e /opt/local/bin/python2 ]; then
                alias python='/opt/local/bin/python2'
            fi
        fi
  
        # pkgsrc
        if [ -e /usr/pkg/bin/pkgin ]; then
            export PATH=/usr/pkg/gnu/bin:/usr/pkg/bin:/usr/pkg/sbin:$PATH
            export MANPATH=/usr/pkg/man:$MANPATH
            if [ -f ~/.dir_colors ]; then
                eval $(dircolors -b ~/.dir_colors)
                export ZLSCOLORS="${LS_COLORS}"
                unalias ls &> /dev/null
                alias ls='ls --color=auto'
            fi
            alias pkgin='sudo pkgin'
        fi
    ;; esac
    
    # zsh shortcuts
    case $OSTYPE in linux*|darwin*|openbsd*)
        alias zshenable='chsh -s $(which zsh)'
        alias zshdisable='chsh -s $(which bash)'
    ;; esac 
    case $OSTYPE in solaris*)
        alias zshenable='pfexec /usr/sbin/usermod -s $(which zsh) $(id -n -u)'
        alias zshdisable='pfexec /usr/sbin/usermod -s $(which bash) $(id -n -u)'
    ;; esac 

    ## host specific
    case ${HOST:r} in
        (axion*|tachyon*)
            # add a little info banner
            if [[ $SHLVL -eq 1 ]] ; then
                clear
                echo
                print -P "\e[1;33m Welcome to: \e[1;34m%m"
                print -P "\e[1;33m Running: \e[1;34m`uname -srm`\e[1;33m on \e[1;34m%l"
                print -P "\e[1;33m It is:\e[1;34m %D{%r} \e[1;33m on \e[1;34m%D{%A %b %f %G}"
                echo
                tput sgr0
            fi

            # proper UTF-8
            export LANG=en_US.UTF-8

            # host color
            PROMPT_HOST_COLOR=green
        ;;
        (artemis*|monolith*)
            PROMPT_HOST_COLOR=red
        ;;
        *)
            # default host color
            PROMPT_HOST_COLOR=blue
        ;;  
    esac
  
  ## local configuration
  [[ -e ~/.zlocal ]] && source ~/.zlocal
# }}}