Configuring the Bash prompt

PRIMPED PROMPT

Article from Issue 84/2007

Author(s): HEIKE JURZIK

Color-coding your prompt may help avoid configuration errors and data loss. We’ll show you how to design your own custom shell prompt with color and control sequences.

ANSI control sequences for color and cursor positioning give users the ability to design a customized and functional Bash prompt to suit their own needs. Command-line fans often find it hard to see the prompt for Xterms. If the prompt on a remote machine looks different from your home prompt, it might save you from inadvertent shutdown commands, and if unprivileged users see a green prompt and root sees a red one, you might be able to avoid configuration errors or even data loss. A shell prompt tailored to match your needs can help prevent confusion.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF

Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Print Subs

Digisubs

TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS

US / Canada

UK / Australia

Related content

Command Line

This month, we’ll show you how to decorate your console and give it a fresh new look by adding color to the command line with ANSI escape sequences.

more »
Command Line

A few basic tricks can liven up the command line and add a dash of color to your console.

more »
Extend Bash and Zsh Prompt with Liquid Prompt

more »
Command Line: Screen

Cast a spell upon your console. Instead of juggling multiple terminals, you can manage all your important command line programs in a single window.

more »
Command Line: Fish

The fish shell provides many features that rival the well-known Bash. We examine some highlights.

more »

comments powered by Disqus

Visit Our Shop

Trial Subscription

Digital Subscription

Subscribe

Direct Download

Read full article as PDF:

Command_Line_Bash_Promt.pdf (201.54 kB)

News

Nextcloud Announces Raspberry Pi-Powered Home Cloud Box

Innovative system adds a hard drive and Ubuntu Core to the RPi for an IoT hub.
Linus Torvalds Confirms the Date of the First Linux Release

Linux is two weeks younger than we thought!
End of OpenOffice?

OpenOffice

The Apache Software Foundation considers retiring OpenOffice
Adobe Gives New Life to NPAPI Plugin for Linux

Adobe Flash , Flash Player

Adobe won’t kill the plugin in 2017
LinuxCon North America Convenes in Toronto, Canada

Linux Foundation's big event celebrates the 25th anniversary of Linux
Linux Turns 25

Linux has evolved from “won’t be a professional” project to one of the most professional software projects in the history of computers.
Mirantis Joins Hands with SUSE To Offer RHEL Support; Red Hat Not Happy

Competitors get in the game with RHEL without Red Hat
Linux on Windows 10 Poses a Security Risk

Security researchers have already notified Microsoft; some fixes are available
Mirantis to Refactor OpenStack Fuel for Kubernetes

The company is collaborating with Google and Intel to use Kubernetes as an engine for Fuel
Canonical Joins Document Foundation Advisory Board

The upcoming release of LibreOffice will be available as a snap package