This page aims to link to pages in the wiki (and, if applicable, elsewhere), to answer questions that new users are likely to run into.

However, this page does not replace the official zsh FAQ. It should be checked for answers as well.

1. So, where can I find answers myself?
   • The zsh FAQ.
   • The Guide by pws.
   • The mailing list archive.
2. My configuration is acting weird. What can I do?
   • Try starting zsh with the '-f' option, and try to reproduce the problem. If that fixes your problem, the root of your problem is in your config.
   • zsh's setup files at a glance.
3. Trouble with your key bindings (eg: PgUP/DOWN, HOME/END do not work)?
   • Get your keys working.
4. zsh's completion does not recognize new commands. What gives?
   • Here is a solution for that issue: Automatic rehash on command completion.
5. I got a variable: myvar=“ls -la” Executing it does not work (zsh says: command not found: ls -la), but this works in bash/ksh/whatever. What's up?
   • See Parameter Expansion for details.
6. Why does my prompt look like \u@\h:\w\$? …bash handles that.
   • Right. However, this is zshwiki.org.
   • The bash convert's page links to a script that is supposed to translate prompts you might have had in bash.
   • If your prompt was especially twisted, and the script fails, you will still have to read the PROMPT EXPANSION section in the manual (zshmisc(1)).
7. So, any way to use colors in my prompt?
   • Sure: prompt setup.
8. WTF is that completion thing doing? I'm pressing TAB and the cursor jumps somewhere weird…
   • This is not a problem with the completion system.
   • Almost certainly, your prompt definition is broken.
   • Read prompt setup again.
9. zsh keeps terminating my background processes on exit. What can I do?
   • See the hup and check_jobs entries in Job Control Options.
10. I want character ranges like {a..z} in bash. Help!1!!
    • Can a bash convert please update their convert's page, please!?
    • It's simple: use {a-z} and make sure, you've got the BRACE_CCL option.
    • Why not {a..z}? Well, let pws answer: zu#11976
11. Hey, my uparrow acts strangly all of a sudden. What's up with that?
    • Short answer for most people: bindkey -e.
    • Long answer for everyone: zshzle(1)/KEYMAPS.
    • If that's still not your solution, see question 3 above.
12. Okay, I want to add a function file to my setup… OR: There is this shell function in zsh I want to overwrite for some reason. Any way to do that?
    • See Function Files.
13. Now, zsh's vi like bindings are kind of nice. However, I keep forgetting in what mode I am in. Any way zsh can help me there?
    • First, make sure you got zsh version 4.3.1 or newer.
    • Then, look at: Show mode with vi keys.