shell-prompt

Shell Prompt Skill

Configure high-performance shell prompts with Powerlevel10k and Zsh Vi Mode.

Overview

Modern shell prompts provide:

• Git status with branch, dirty state, and remote tracking
• Environment indicators (Python venv, Node version, K8s context)
• Execution time for long-running commands
• Exit code visualization
• Async updates for responsive experience
• Vi mode indicators and cursor changes

Zsh Vi Mode

Zsh supports vi-style line editing with visual feedback through cursor changes and mode indicators.

Quick Setup (Built-in)

# ~/.zshrc
bindkey -v  # Enable vi mode

# Reduce key timeout for faster mode switching (default 400ms)
export KEYTIMEOUT=10  # 100ms - don't go below 10

Cursor Style by Mode

Change cursor shape based on current mode:

# Add to ~/.zshrc
cursor_mode() {
    # Beam cursor for insert mode
    cursor_beam='\e[6 q'
    # Block cursor for normal mode
    cursor_block='\e[2 q'

    function zle-keymap-select {
        if [[ ${KEYMAP} == vicmd ]] ||
           [[ $1 = 'block' ]]; then
            echo -ne $cursor_block
        elif [[ ${KEYMAP} == main ]] ||
             [[ ${KEYMAP} == viins ]] ||
             [[ ${KEYMAP} = '' ]] ||
             [[ $1 = 'beam' ]]; then
            echo -ne $cursor_beam
        fi
    }

    zle-line-init() {
        echo -ne $cursor_beam
    }

    zle -N zle-keymap-select
    zle -N zle-line-init
}
cursor_mode

Cursor Escape Codes

Code	Style
\e[1 q	Blinking block
\e[2 q	Steady block
\e[3 q	Blinking underline
\e[4 q	Steady underline
\e[5 q	Blinking bar/beam
\e[6 q	Steady bar/beam

Vi Mode Plugins

Oh My Zsh vi-mode Plugin

# ~/.zshrc
plugins=(... vi-mode)

# Configuration (before sourcing oh-my-zsh.sh)
VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR=true
VI_MODE_RESET_PROMPT_ON_MODE_CHANGE=true

# Cursor styles (0-6)
VI_MODE_CURSOR_NORMAL=2   # Solid block
VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT=6   # Solid beam
VI_MODE_CURSOR_VISUAL=6   # Solid beam
VI_MODE_CURSOR_OPPEND=0   # Blinking block

# Mode indicators
MODE_INDICATOR="%F{red}<<<NORMAL%f"
INSERT_MODE_INDICATOR="%F{green}<<<INSERT%f"