---
title: starship — Cross-Shell Prompt
date: 2026-01-19
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: Ultra-fast prompt working in every shell, showing git status, language versions, and execution time
tags: program, Modern CLI Tools, starship
---

**💬 "starship command"**

starship is a **blazing-fast, cross-shell prompt**. It replaces your default prompt to show the current folder, git branch and status, language versions, command runtime, and more—only what matters, clearly.

Written in Rust it updates with almost no lag even on slow shells, and a single config file customizes everything. It supports Bash, Zsh, Fish, and most other shells.

- **Concept**: Replaces the shell prompt (the part before your command) with a fast, informative one.
- **Features**: Shows git state, language versions, command duration, exit codes, and battery.
- **Strength**: Simple install and config, with the same look across shells and machines.
- **Use when**: You move between servers and shells and want a consistent, informative prompt.
## Basic Usage

After installing the binary, add one init line to your shell rc file and you are done.

### 1. Shell integration (one rc line)

The installer adds it, or you add it yourself.

```
# Bash — at the end of ~/.bashrc
 eval "$(starship init bash)"

# Zsh — in ~/.zshrc
 eval "$(starship init zsh)"
```

### 2. See it in action

Folder and git state now appear in the prompt automatically.

```
cd ~/myrepo   # branch and changes appear
git status     # the git module summarizes state
```

### 3. Customize

Apply a preset or edit the config file.

```
starship preset presets/tomorrow-night -o ~/.config/starship.toml
$EDITOR ~/.config/starship.toml
```

## Installation & Download

starship installs via the official script or a package manager.

| Environment | Command |
| --- | --- |
| Official installer (Linux/macOS) | curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh |
| cargo | cargo install starship --locked |
| Ubuntu/Debian (if packaged) | sudo apt install starship |
| macOS (Homebrew) | brew install starship |

Verify with `starship --version`. You must add the `eval "$(starship init shell)"` line to your shell rc file for it to apply.

## Common Commands

| Command / Key | Description |
| --- | --- |
| starship preset | Apply a ready-made prompt style |
| starship print-config | Show the current config |
| starship explain | Explain each part of the prompt |
| Config file ~/.config/starship.toml | Freely set modules, colors, and layout |

## 3 Essential Command Combinations

- `curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh` — Install starship
- `eval "$(starship init bash)"` — Integrate the prompt into your shell
- `starship explain` — Describe the current prompt components
**💬 "Using starship on a real server"**

A step-by-step look at setting up one prompt across many servers.

### Step 1 · Install

Install with the official script.

```
curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh
```

### Step 2 · Shell integration

Add the init line to your rc file.

```
echo 'eval "$(starship init bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc
```

### Step 3 · Apply

Open a new shell to see the prompt.

```
exec bash
git status
```

## How it is used in practice

### 1. See git state at a glance

**Situation** — Watch branch and changes in the prompt.

```
cd /var/www/workspace
```

**Result** — The prompt shows the branch name and changed-file count.

**Point** — Avoid committing work on the wrong branch by mistake.

### 2. Consistent prompt everywhere

**Situation** — Use one style across servers.

```
starship preset presets/pure -o ~/.config/starship.toml
```

**Result** — Every server uses the same prompt style.

**Point** — Work with less confusion when hopping between environments.

## Caveats

- It will not apply until the init line is added to your shell rc file.
- On very old shells/terminals some symbols may break; a Nerd Font displays them best.
- Config lives in `~/.config/starship.toml`, which is easy to keep under version control.

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/modern/starship.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.