Is zsh bash compatible. zshrc is a file that runs zsh commands.
Is zsh bash compatible I have switched to zsh, how can I run a script which is written for bash? I don't want to modify the script to put #!/bin/bash in the beginning for the script since it is version controlled. Fish for bash users ¶ This is to give you a quick overview if you come from bash (or to a lesser extent other shells like zsh or ksh) and want to know how fish differs. zshrc instead of trying to run . Dec 27, 2023 · In these examples, we see Zsh keeping pace with Bash reasonably well due to compatibility efforts. So if you have any kind of issue, you can easily find ressources online in the case of zsh because you can find a lot of ressources for bash. (It's argv[0], which makes sense. . As far as I understand it, this script allows to Typically bash shell is the terminal shell provided by default in Linux Distros . because of all the options it is not safe to assume a general zsh run by a user will behave as if sh or ksh compatible; invoking zsh as sh or ksh (or if either is a symbolic link to zsh) sets appropriate options and improves compatibility (from within zsh itself, calling ARGV0=sh zsh will also work); from version 3. But two popular alternatives, ZSH and Fish, offer more advanced features and customization. The default script-execution shell in some Linux distribution is Debian Almquist shell (dash). Expanding to more advanced scripting reveals gaps not covered like dated arithmetic, float comparisons, and process control to name a few. Basically, bash does 90% of what zsh does even for interactive use (especially with bash-completion) and you're gonna have it on your system anyway for scripts (even though zsh is mostly compatible). Kali Linux’s zsh prompt is not only aesthetically pleasing but functionally rich. I find this keeps everything simpler, as even when I shopt whatever the bash compatible (setopt SH_WORD_SPLIT ?), I still run into subtle differences. Dec 28, 2022 · Generally speaking, you can use bash scripts in zsh, and zsh scripts in bash. As long as you don't use bash features that zsh doesn't have (with the same syntax), you can have the same file sourced by both shells. And seems to be they have average backward compatibility. They are slightly faster than the zsh/regex module (used for =~ operator) and don't have that dependency (regex module can be not present, e. I don't want to start any kind of negative feedback loop here, but I'm thinking about a way for folks like me to give Power Zsh is (mostly)backward compatible with bash, which means that most of what is true for bash is also true for zsh, but not necessarily for fish. Test your scripts in different shells such as Bash, Dash, Fish, and Zsh for compatibility. Let's just talk. I have some experience with Mac OS and Apple has adopted Z Shell as their terminal shell of choice from now on. The only real-world sensible recommendation is test your 19 Zsh has an sh compatibility mode which will let it execute POSIX sh code and some bash extensions. Jan 10, 2025 · While Zsh vs Bash comparisons highlight newer features in Zsh, Bash remains a reliable and future-proof option for several reasons: Backward Compatibility: Bash scripts written decades ago still work flawlessly today. Also, mksh is much leaner and faster and more portable. / en / versus / bash-vs-zsh BASH vs ZSH Both are powerful command-line shells used primarily on Unix-like operating systems (Linux, macOS). I even have switched my default shell interpreter from Bash to Dash, which mostly is POSIX shell only without the additions of Bash and ZSH. But many applications only consider the most commonly used shells like bash or zsh. zshrc is run for every interactive shell; that includes login shells, but also any other time you start up a shell, such as Jul 29, 2025 · Bash Compatibility: Zsh provides excellent compatibility with Bash, making it relatively easy to transition from Bash to Zsh while retaining familiarity with existing scripts and workflows. Shell Performance Nov 18, 2025 · Zsh, while largely compatible with Bash, adds many user-focused enhancements such as improved auto-completion, spelling correction, and an extensive plugin ecosystem. Apr 4, 2019 · Make PowerShell not only POSIX compliant, but also ZSH & BASH compatible. Here's a comparison: Bash (Bourne Again SHell) History: The successor to the original Bourne shell (sh). zsh is nice, but with a wholly unsupported environment in all Unices, so you should best be advised to write with Bash, with compatibility for ksh, and since Mar 28, 2012 · The title should say it all. Normally, I use zsh as my day-to-day shell. Jul 15, 2010 · I have a Bash tab-completion script for Apache's Hadoop. Shell Performance Apr 11, 2022 · The most actionable of these potential solutions is the development of your own pwsh profile code that will sort of fake a given command, within PowerShell only, to allow you to use the same command/workflow you would have in bash or zsh, implemented as a compatibility proxy under the hood within PowerShell. Yeah, it's the 6 to 10 percent that isn't exactly the same that will kill you. bash* configs directly. Zsh is an enhanced shell that offers features like improved autocompletion and theme support, while Bash is the default shell for many UNIX systems, known for its simplicity and wide compatibility. Mar 23, 2023 · The syntax of bash and zsh is compatible, and the same program can be used directly. Compatibility for main syntax is very close though. Dec 2, 2016 · $ ln -s /bin/bash . Working With Foreign Shell Scripts A common issue with nu is, that other applications export environment variables or functionality as shell scripts, that are expected to then be evaluated by your shell. I'm looking for an equivalent to ${BASH_SOURCE[0]} in zsh. e. If that is enough reason for you to use zsh, then go ahead - it's just not a night-and-day difference. The Zsh FAQ offers more reasons to use Zsh. Apr 29, 2024 · Compatibility with Bash: Because Zsh is designed to be highly compatible with Bash, most Bash scripts can be run in Zsh without modification. A Compatibility Checklist for People Switching from Bash to Zsh In the Zsh introduction series so far, you've learned about the appeal of Zsh, its basic usage, and how to customize it with Oh My Zsh. Bourne/POSIX compatibility is the minimum that a shell for Unix-like systems must provide in order to gain widespread adoption. Reply reply burtness • Nov 5, 2023 · ZSH for beginners: Exploring Linux’s elegant shell ZSH, a powerful and customizable shell, has won the hearts of many Linux enthusiasts. Apr 11, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Zsh and Bash—two powerful Unix shells. Bash remains essential for scripting and infrastructure automation. I love zsh, but because of this, I use zsh for interactive use, but Bash for all my scripting. This means that zsh supports all the features and syntax of bash, making it compatible with bash commands. 0 onward the degree of compatibility with sh under these circumstances is very / en / versus / bash-vs-zsh BASH vs ZSH Both are powerful command-line shells used primarily on Unix-like operating systems (Linux, macOS). If I need to write a script where zsh isn't available, I can, and all I gotta do is keep the features used to be sh or bash based. Feb 13, 2025 · Zsh boasts a highly customizable and context-aware tab completion system. zsh a bit better compatible with bash than fish is. Zsh, however, introduces additional scripting features and syntax enhancements, which can be advantageous for more complex scripting scenarios. Apr 26, 2025 · Zsh is largely compatible with Bash as it was designed to incorporate many of the features and commands that Bash users are familiar with. in default static build of Zsh). A full-featured BDD unit testing framework for dash, bash, ksh, zsh and all POSIX shells, provides features code coverage, mocking, parameterized test, parallel execution and more 2 days ago · Compatibility Issues: Although ZSH is largely POSIX compatible, some scripts written specifically for Bash might not work correctly. Conclusion Bash and Zsh each serve distinct roles in Linux environments. Oct 27, 2025 · A great variety of shells is available for Unix, including Bourne-compatible shells (sh, bash, ksh, pdksh, ash, dash, etc. I read comparison between bash and fish, bash and zsh, and all of them states about how convenient those shells are. The most common command shell is Bash, but there are other options available and widely used, such as the Z Shell or zsh. This compatibility facilitates the transition from Bash to Zsh without the need to rewrite or modify existing scripts. Many things are similar - they both fundamentally expand commandlines to execute commands, have pipes, redirections I personally use zsh, and use it's advanced features relatively heavily in my tooling. The default Bash shell is a powerful option. Unfortunately, nu has entirely incompatible syntax with these shells, so it cannot run or source these What is ZSH? ZSH is a shell program that is designed to be an interactive login shell and command interpreter for Unix-based systems. You can't expect zsh to be able to run the bash commands in your . In fact Nov 13, 2023 · Zsh offers backward compatibility with Bash and POSIX compliant shells for portability while providing many advanced features. Dec 11, 2009 · 25 Bash generally comes with every system, zsh doesn't. I mean, bash is everywhere. It‘s the shell of choice for power users looking to customize and accelerate their workflows. zshrc. Of course there are obvious things like the ** globbing which simply doesn't exist in bash, but the real issue are the many subtle differences. While Zsh can run most shell scripts, it sometimes requires tweaks for full compatibility, which can be a hassle if you frequently run third-party scripts. Zsh enhances interactive productivity for engineers. Dec 16, 2024 · Bash remains the gold standard for developers who already understand shells and need maximum backwards compatibility, stability, and widespread support across most Linux distributions. Jul 20, 2025 · Enhance your Linux terminal with Zsh and Oh My Zsh! Learn to install, configure, and customize on Debian/Ubuntu with popular themes and plugins. Sep 24, 2014 · 44 You can't " export " your . Instead of the static suggestions seen in bash, zsh’s completions are dynamic—offering suggestions for commands, file paths, options, and even hostnames. For interactive use, it is close to 100% compatible with bash syntax. Jun 8, 2019 · Speaking as someone who's used both and landed on bash -- the only thing that made me really, deeply unhappy with zsh was its decision to break POSIX compliance when the standard canonicalizes admittedly-bad design decisions in ways that made it easy to get sloppy about correctness when trying to write scripts that needed to be compatible with other, strictly-POSIX-superset shells Apr 29, 2024 · Compatibility with Bash: Because Zsh is designed to be highly compatible with Bash, most Bash scripts can be run in Zsh without modification. Reply reply Mar 1, 2022 · Zsh patterns are a custom regular expressions engine. For portability, no. It’s a popular choice for developers who seek a more customizable and Bash is where most people come from and what they are familiar with. Compatibility Issues with Bash Scripts: Some Bash scripts may not work in Zsh without modification. /sh There are plenty of alternatives (dash, posh, lksh, bash, zsh, etc. Would I be hindering myself by replacing bash with zsh or is it simply a matter of choice? Would love to read an article that objectively compares the two, I know there are more but limiting my choices Jul 8, 2024 · Compatibility modes: e. It is POSIX so it is "compatible" with bash "POSIX mode" and every script that would need some bash specific feature would starting with #!/usr/bin/env bash or something like that. At the end of the day, it's not just your shell that'll cause compatibility issues. Mar 12, 2024 · Here in this article, we are going to differentiate between the two most popular shells bash and zsh. Conclusion In conclusion, both Bash and Zsh are powerful Unix shells that offer unique features and capabilities to users. bashrc from . Nov 30, 2022 · Scripting Scripting Note that shell scripting in ZSH is not completely compatible with Bash and it may require manual tweaking in the script. zshrc) gives zsh for $0, which isn't the same as what ${BASH_SOURCE[0]} is. On the bright side, zsh has a bash completion script compatibility mode, you have to enable it before loading a bash completion script inside . Noteworthy features Zsh is a powerful shell that operates as both an interactive shell and as a scripting language interpreter. This is necessitated by Developers who only write bash completion scripts for their tools. Use bash unless you have a reason, csh is classic, historical, and kept for standard purposes, tcsh is a more modern, usable version with compatibility. Here’s a simple comparison of setting an environment variable in both shells: # Bash export MY_VAR= "Hello, World!" # Fish Feb 17, 2025 · Learn how to seamlessly transition from Bash to Zsh with our comprehensive step-by-step guide tailored for developers. Nov 19, 2021 · zsh has a friendly to Apple software license and is mostly compatible with bash, and zsh is not controlled by the Free Software Foundation as founded by Richard Stallman and creator of the GPLv3 license. While Zsh excels in customization, auto-completion, and plugin support, Bash is known for its compatibility and simplicity. The Z Shell (zsh), created in the early 1990s by Paul Falstad, was designed as a highly customizable and extended shell, incorporating the best features of other shells like csh, ksh, and bash. making zsh scripts portable usually requires special handling anyway. Bash ( Bourne-Again shell ) Bash, or the Bourne-Again Shell, is by far the most popularly used shell and it comes installed as the default shell in the most popular Linux distributions. ) to get a shell that will work as a POSIX shell. Jun 23, 2020 · I am trying to make this script work which was initially written by one of my coworkers for bash shells. Active Development: Bash is actively maintained, with updates focusing on bug fixes and security improvements. Add below lines to your ~/. In following aspects, cicada wants to do a better (sanity) job: Completion History Customize Prompt Compare to shells like zsh/fish, cicada tends to be a simpler shell. That's why zsh is popular. The generated structure is presented in a readable Markdown format for easy documentation and sharing. Feb 6, 2024 · fish (Friendly Interactive SHell), Zsh (Z shell), and Bash (Bourne-Again SHell) are probably your best bets out of the 17 options considered. Err, but you can tune some of that out with configuration. Note: I keep finding " $0 is equivalent to ${BASH_SOURCE[0]} " around the Internet, but this seems to be false: $0 seems to be the name of the executing command. Cicada is trying to support most common cases that Bash supports, except the Bash scripting language. May 21, 2025 · Bash strictly adheres to POSIX standards, which ensures broad compatibility across Unix-like systems. Jan 11, 2025 · Is Bash Future-Proof? While Zsh vs Bash comparisons highlight newer features in Zsh, Bash remains a reliable and future-proof option for several reasons: Backward Compatibility: Bash scripts written decades ago still work flawlessly today. Documentation: Zsh comes with comprehensive documentation that covers its features, configuration options, and usage. Users should consider their specific needs and preferences when choosing between the two shells. It tends to be pretty bash-like when I need it to be, but it looks like the tab-completion sys Also, it's common to provide a . Sep 16, 2024 · Learn how to create and run 'Bash' and 'Zsh' scripts on Linux and macOS to automate tasks, enhance productivity, and streamline workflows with detailed examples. But one thing I wonder is how those shells backward compatible with bash. Fish is intentionally not POSIX-compatible and as such some of the things you are used to work differently. Syntax Mar 29, 2025 · Bash vs Zsh vs Fish: Learn the key differences between the top Linux shells in 2025. Bash is the default login shell for most Linux distributions. . I personally use zsh, and use it's advanced features relatively heavily in my tooling. As a somewhat extreme case, I'd strongly advice against running any bash shell script through zsh (which easily happens if you reuse your bash aliases in zsh, or if you copy&paste commands Aug 21, 2024 · Bash remains highly capable and is the most widely used and supported shell across Unix-like systems, with a vast ecosystem of scripts and tools built around it. Learning Curve: While Zsh offers many features, it can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive options and customizability. zshrc is a file that runs zsh commands. I use zsh and it's great, but everyone else uses bash, give fish a try too. Finally, . While being compatible with the POSIX sh (not by default, only if issuing emulate sh), it offers advantages such as improved tab completion and globbing. This newer shell is compatible with bash, but includes more features. This is great because it means most commands and scripts you write will work in either shell, without modification. ), C shell (csh, tcsh), Z shell (zsh), and the Friendly Interactive Shell (fish). Aug 3, 2020 · Zsh vs Bash When we talk about UNIX-based programming we usually mean consoles, terminals and command line interfaces. g. In this case, the problem is that -n has completely different meanings between the two: in bash, it says how many characters to read, while in zsh it modifies the -p or -l options (which have to do with completion functions, and are irrelevant here). Fish (Friendly Interactive SHell) offers a user-friendly, syntax-highlighted command-line experience with auto-suggestions, while Bash (Bourne Again SHell) is a widely used shell that focuses on compatibility and scripting with a more traditional command-line interface. Enter cd /u/lo/b, press tab, and it will be completed to cd /usr/local/bin since it is the only matching pattern Dec 27, 2023 · For experienced Linux users, choosing the right shell is an important decision. The Mar 3, 2017 · Almost every shell you'll encounter is Bourne-based and works similarly---including zsh. They interpret your commands and interact with the operating system. A coworker of mine uses fish instead and he's frequently grumbling over lack of fish support for this or that tool. sh. bashrc is a file that runs bash commands. Created by the GNU Project. bashrc, so you should convert it into a new . Unfortunately, making a shell script 'POSIX-compliant' is usually easier than making it run on any real-world shell. "Auto suggestions" is the primary reason people pick fish (Friendly Interactive SHell) over the competition. However, some features or syntax may not be compatible between the two shells, so it’s always a good idea to test your scripts before using them in a different shell. It also has some benefits for scripts, of certain types, anyway. Basically, zsh is a posix-compatible shell that is nearly indistinguishable from bash out of the box and in basic usage, but if you put a little effort into enabling and configuring its advanced features, you can get some extremely powerful niceties that bash just doesn’t have. The backwards-compatibility of zsh to bash is not that great. May 12, 2025 · Compatibility with Bash: Zsh is largely compatible with Bash scripts, so users can run most Bash scripts without modification in Zsh. Over the years, zsh has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful and versatile shells available, combining rich scripting features with a robust interactive experience. Still, maintaining the backward compatibility even in such a small script like in this gist is important. Of course, when they've the bash shebang will use bash anyways. zsh supports more stuff, but only in its native zsh mode, which is not compatible with POSIX shells (such as GNU bash, AT&T ksh93, mksh). Just one suggestion, don't go with full fat oh-my-zsh and just use some "plugin manager" like zgen, which can load easily external and oh-my-zsh and Sep 11, 2017 · 兼容Zsh在大部分时候是兼容Bash, 是的“大部分时候”如果你要强求的话，可以在Zsh里执行下面命令 {代码} 数组如果在loop里使用了数组，那么脚本在Bash里可以 Dec 11, 2024 · A script compatible with both zsh and bash to generate a Markdown file outlining the folder and file structure of the directory where the script is executed. By the end, you’ll see why Fish provides […] Sep 5, 2021 · 10 The options for the read command are significantly different between bash and zsh. The default interactive shell in many Linux distributions is Bourne-Again Shell (bash). ZSH is compatible with most Bourne shell scripts and offers a number of features and enhancements that make it a versatile and powerful tool for I've got nothing personal against zsh or bash, and I appreciate shorter scripts posted for bash and zsh. Zsh can do most of what fish can do. Oct 21, 2023 · Bash is undeniably the defacto standard, but ksh is a mainstay and all of your scripts, in order to be completely portable, should incorporate this where compatability into your scripts. Our beginner's guide elucidates its basics, making your command-line experience a breeze. pieces of code that will run in the bash shell but not in other bourne compatible shells. bash on the other end is installed on GNU systems (as bash is the shell of the GNU project) like the great majority of non-embedded Linux based systems and Mar 19, 2025 · Bash is a lightweight, fast, and widely compatible command-line shell that prioritizes simplicity and portability, whereas Zsh is a more sophisticated shell that’s ideal for users that prefer customization and interactivity. In such cases, you might need to modify the script or explicitly call Bash to execute it using bash scriptname. Jun 26, 2022 · All this history explains why the creators of upstarts like bash, zsh, and yash (yet another shell) chose to make them compatible with sh. Fish and tcsh have their own syntax, and the same program needs to be adapted to their respective syntax in Here you will find a list of " bashisms ", i. bashrc to a . Zsh, while mostly compatible with Bash, prioritizes features and user experience over strict POSIX compliance. zshrc config, plus zsh offers a bash-compatibility mode that can read . Bash is known for its compatibility and widespread use in shell scripting, making it the default choice for many system scripts and automation tasks. Oct 16, 2023 · Zsh is designed to be a superset of the Bourne shell (sh), which includes bash. zshrc or copying the former into the latter. /sh $ . Sep 9, 2025 · Comparative deep-dive into Bash commands vs Zsh and Fish: syntax differences, interactive features, scripting portability, and when to choose each shell. Dec 25, 2024 · Explore different types of Linux shells like Bash, Zsh, and Fish, and learn their key features and differences. Apr 22, 2024 · Bash is a solid choice for those who value compatibility and simplicity, while Zsh and Fish offer more advanced features and customization options. The plan is to source it in the zsh shell. This means that most of your Bash scripts and command history should work in Zsh. Discover which is better for scripting, performance, customization, and productivity in your terminal workflow. ) Echoing $0 in my script (. Portable However, even so, all the above does not ensure "portability". bash on the other end is installed on GNU systems (as bash is the shell of the GNU project) like the great majority of non-embedded Linux based systems and Oct 23, 2023 · Bash and Zsh share a similar command line syntax. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key differences between ZSH and Fish shell. I would sugest trying zsh. May 20, 2024 · Scripting Capabilities When it comes to scripting, both Bash and Zsh have their strengths. sh>. Also, they can be used in substitutions, for example in // substitution. You can use /bin/bash as a drop-in replacement for Bash Startup/shutdown scripts via zshenv, zprofile, zshrc, zlogin, and zlogout git command completion Path expansion: e. If you wish to use bash, you can do this, and you can personally install a newer version using HomeBrew <https://brew. There's a whole host on things. While zsh can be compiled on any Unix or Unix-like and even Windows at least via Cygwin, and is packaged for most Open Source Unix-likes and several commercial ones, it is generally not included in the default install. Compatibility: Bash is compatible with the Bourne Shell (sh), which makes it a good default shell for scripting and interactive use. If you want to achieve maximum portability when writing shell scripts than start your script with #!/bin/sh and avoid "bashisms", so that it will run in any other posix compatible shell, like ksh or zsh. So I often create scripts running as #!/bin/sh, which signalizes that the script is POSIX compatible. Jun 11, 2025 · Learn why and how to run multiple shells in Linux. autoload bashcompinit bashcompinit Apr 3, 2023 · Zsh, or the Z Shell, is an extended version of the Bourne Shell that incorporates features from Bash, KornShell, and tcsh. Scripting Capabilities: Provides powerful scripting capabilities, including control structures, variables, and functions. It was developed by Paul Falstad in 1990 and has since become one of the most popular alternatives to the Bash shell. bash_profile config for various command line tools; less common but not unheard of to get a . Discover which shell suits your workflow—scripting, customization, or beginner-friendly use. Mar 29, 2025 · Bash vs Zsh vs Fish: Learn the key differences between the top Linux shells in 2025. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision. If you're like me and have to switch between linux and freebsd constantly, you'll have a profile symlinked from a git repo that autodetects and sets aliases on login Jul 19, 2019 · Zsh users at times need to use a bash completion script. zshrc file before the source line. qlyjp irqtx vajfrtdg shyztz rjjratd ypc zbfw iyukh mgs fqxgkh pjfmfk kddke tvmwn gnhm vlkxpk