AX-ZSH – modular Zsh configuration system

AX-ZSH is a modular configuration system for Zsh that supplies a ready-to-use core setup while allowing users to extend the shell through plugins and themes.

It is designed around per-user installation and includes its own management command for enabling, disabling, checking and upgrading components. AX-ZSH supports bundled plugins, local custom plugins, standalone GitHub plugins and plugins from Oh My Zsh. It also integrates with Powerlevel10k, including its instant prompt mechanism. A plugin cache is used to reduce shell startup overhead, while local configuration files provide a supported way to customise the environment without editing AX-ZSH’s managed startup files.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

• Provides sane default Zsh configuration with an extensible plugin-based design.
• Installs per user and does not require root privileges.
• Backs up existing Zsh startup files before creating its managed symbolic links.
• Includes the axzshctl command for configuration and plugin management.
• Can upgrade AX-ZSH and installed external plugins when installed with Git.
• Supports bundled plugins, bundled themes and manually installed custom plugins.
• Can install standalone plugins directly from GitHub repositories.
• Supports selected Oh My Zsh plugins using @ohmyzsh identifiers.
• Integrates with Powerlevel10k and supports its instant prompt feature.
• Uses a plugin cache to improve Zsh startup performance.
• Can scan available plugins and recommend enabling or disabling them based on local dependencies.
• Provides tab completion for axzshctl subcommands and available plugin names.
• Supports separate local startup files such as .zshrc.local and .zprofile.local.
• Provides configurable plugin search directories through AXZSH_PLUGIN_D and ZSH_CUSTOM.
• Includes environment and terminal handling intended to work cleanly across local and remote shell sessions.

Website: github.com/alexbarton/ax-zsh
Support:
Developer: Alexander Barton
License: MIT License

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