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What it is
Quick-win terminal productivity guide covering aliases, shell functions, fuzzy finding, tmux basics, prompt customization, and time-saving shell configurations that pay off immediately.
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SKILL.md
474 lines · 2,027 words
You are a terminal power user who helps developers and sysadmins get more done in the command line with minimal setup. Every tip here should be implementable in under 5 minutes and produce immediate productivity gains. No esoteric configurations - just the highest-impact improvements.
Use this skill when:
User asks about terminal productivity boost techniques or best practices
Quick-win terminal productivity guide covering aliases, shell functions, fuzzy finding, tmux basics, prompt customization, and time-saving shell configurations that pay off immediately.
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The principle
You are a terminal power user who helps developers and sysadmins get more done in the command line with minimal setup. Every tip here should be implementable in under 5 minutes and produce immediate productivity gains. No esoteric configurations - just the highest-impact improvements.
What it covers
When to Use
Quick Diagnosis
Aliases: The 80/20 of Terminal Productivity
Shell Functions: When Aliases Are Not Enough
Fuzzy Finding with fzf
tmux Basics: Terminal Multiplexing
Shell Prompt Customization
Other Quick Wins
Cheat Sheet: Top 10 Changes by Impact
Process
Output Format
Edge Cases
Example
User wants to implement or improve their approach to terminal productivity boost
Do NOT use when:
The request falls outside the scope of terminal productivity boost
User needs a different specialized skill for their specific situation
The topic requires professional consultation beyond general guidance
Ask the user: What shell and OS are you on? Then prioritize recommendations.
macOS: likely zsh (default since Catalina)
Linux: likely shell (check with echo $SHELL)
Windows: likely PowerShell, or shell via WSL/Git shell
An alias replaces a long command with a short one. Type less, do more.
# Navigation
alias ..="cd .."
alias ...="cd ../.."
alias ....="cd ../../.."
alias dl="cd ~/Downloads"
alias dev="cd ~/Development"
# Listing files
alias ll="ls -alF"
alias la="ls -A"
alias l="ls -CF"
# Git shortcuts (these alone save hours per week)
alias gs="git status"
alias ga="git add"
alias gc="git commit -m"
alias gp="git push"
alias gl="git log --oneline -20"
alias gd="git diff"
alias gco="git checkout"
alias gb="git branch"
alias gpl="git pull"
alias gst="git stash"
alias gsp="git stash pop"
# Safety nets
alias rm="rm -i" # Confirm before deleting
alias mv="mv -i" # Confirm before overwriting
alias cp="cp -i" # Confirm before overwriting
# Quick edits
alias bashrc="$EDITOR ~/.bashrc"
alias zshrc="$EDITOR ~/.zshrc"
alias reload="source ~/.bashrc" # or ~/.zshrc
# Networking
alias myip="HTTP client request ifconfig.me"
alias ports="lsof -i -P -n | grep LISTEN"
# Disk usage
alias duh="du -h --max-depth=1 | sort -hr"
alias dfh="df -h"# 1. Open your shell config
nano ~/.bashrc # shell
nano ~/.zshrc # zsh
# 2. Paste aliases at the bottom
# 3. Reload
source ~/.bashrc # shell
source ~/.zshrc # zshFunctions accept arguments and run multiple commands.
# Create directory and cd into it
mkcd() {
mkdir -p "$1" && cd "$1"
}
# Find files by name
ff() {
find . -type f -name "*$1*"
}
# Find files containing text
ftext() {
grep -rn "$1" --include="$2" .
}
# Usage: ftext "TODO" "*.py"
# Quick HTTP server in current directory
serve() {
local port="${1:-8000}"
echo "Serving on [local-server]:$port"
python3 -m http.server "$port"
}
# Extract any archive
extract() {
if [ -f "$1" ]; then
case "$1" in
*.tar.bz2) tar xjf "$1" ;;
*.tar.gz) tar xzf "$1" ;;
*.bz2) bunzip2 "$1" ;;
*.rar) unrar x "$1" ;;
*.gz) gunzip "$1" ;;
*.tar) tar xf "$1" ;;
*.tbz2) tar xjf "$1" ;;
*.tgz) tar xzf "$1" ;;
*.zip) unzip "$1" ;;
*.7z) 7z x "$1" ;;
*) echo "'$1' cannot be extracted" ;;
esac
else
echo "'$1' is not a valid file"
fi
}
# Git: add, commit, push in one command
gacp() {
git add -A && git commit -m "$1" && git push
}
# Usage: gacp "Fix login bug"
# Quick note taking
note() {
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
cat ~/notes.md
else
echo "$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'): $*" >> ~/notes.md
fi
}
# Usage: note "Check the API rate limits"
# Usage: note (displays all notes)fzf is a command-line fuzzy finder. It turns any list into an interactive, searchable selection. It is the single most impactful terminal tool you can install.
# macOS
brew install fzf
$(brew --prefix)/opt/fzf/install # Adds key bindings
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install fzf
# From source (any platform)
git clone --depth 1 [GitHub repository] ~/.fzf
~/.fzf/install| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
Ctrl+R | Fuzzy search command history (replaces reverse-i-search) |
Ctrl+T | Fuzzy find files in current directory |
Alt+C | Fuzzy find and cd into directories |
Ctrl+R alone is worth the install. Instead of remembering exact commands, type any fragment and fzf finds it.
# Open a file with fuzzy search
vim $(fzf)
# Kill a process interactively
kill -9 $(ps aux | fzf | awk '{print $2}')
# Git checkout branch interactively
gco $(git branch | fzf)
# Preview files while searching
fzf --preview 'cat {}'
# Fuzzy find in specific directory
find ~/projects -type f | fzfAdd these functions to your shell config:
# Interactive git log with preview
fgl() {
git log --oneline --all | fzf --preview 'git show {1}'
}
# Interactive branch switching
fbr() {
local branch
branch=$(git branch --all | fzf --no-multi | sed 's/^[* ]*//' | sed 's#remotes/origin/##')
git checkout "$branch"
}
# Interactive git add
fga() {
git diff --name-only | fzf --multi --preview 'git diff {}' | xargs git add
}tmux lets you:
Split your terminal into panes (side by side, top/bottom)
Create multiple windows (like browser tabs for terminals)
Detach sessions (keep processes running after you disconnect)
Resume sessions (reconnect exactly where you left off)
# macOS
brew install tmux
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install tmuxAll tmux commands start with the prefix key: Ctrl+b, then the command key.
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Start new session | tmux or tmux new -s name |
| Detach from session | Ctrl+b then d |
| Reattach to session | tmux attach -t name |
| List sessions | tmux ls |
| Split pane horizontally | Ctrl+b then " |
| Split pane vertically | Ctrl+b then % |
| Move between panes | Ctrl+b then arrow key |
| New window | Ctrl+b then c |
| Next window | Ctrl+b then n |
| Previous window | Ctrl+b then p |
| Kill pane | Ctrl+b then x |
| Resize pane | Ctrl+b then hold arrow key |
| Scroll mode | Ctrl+b then [ (q to exit) |
Create ~/.tmux.conf:
# Use Ctrl+a instead of Ctrl+b (easier to reach)
set -g prefix C-a
unbind C-b
bind C-a send-prefix
# Split panes with | and -
bind | split-window -h
bind - split-window -v
# Mouse support (for scrolling and pane selection)
set -g mouse on
# Start window numbering at 1
set -g base-index 1
# Faster key repetition
set -s escape-time 0
# Reload config
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display "Config reloaded"Reload: tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf
Add to ~/.bashrc:
# Shows: user@host:directory (git branch) $
parse_git_branch() {
git branch 2output-to dev/null | sed -n 's/^\* //p'
}
export PS1='\[\033[01;32m\]\u@\h\[\033[00m\]:\[\033[01;34m\]\w\[\033[33m\] $(parse_git_branch)\[\033[00m\]\$ 'Starship (recommended, works on any shell):
# Security note: Always review install scripts before piping to shell.
# Download and inspect first with: HTTP client request -sS [external resource] > install-script && less install-script && shell-run install-script
HTTP client request -sS [external resource] | shell-run
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
evaluate "$(starship init shell)" # or zshStarship provides a beautiful, informative prompt with git status, language versions, and more - with zero configuration.
# colored grep output
alias grep="grep --color=auto"
# human-readable file sizes
alias df="df -h"
alias du="du -h"
alias free="free -h"
# make which show aliases too
alias which="type -a"z learns your most-visited directories and lets you jump with fuzzy matching.
# Install (zoxide is the modern replacement)
# macOS: brew install zoxide
# Security note: Always review install scripts before piping to shell.
# Download and inspect first with: HTTP client request -sS <URL> > install-script && less install-script && shell-run install-script
# Linux: HTTP client request -sS [external resource] | shell
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
evaluate "$(zoxide init shell)" # or zsh
# Usage
z projects # jumps to ~/Development/projects if you've been there before
z api # jumps to the most-visited directory matching "api"# Install
# macOS: brew install ripgrep
# Linux: sudo apt install ripgrep
# Usage
rg "TODO" --type py # search Python files for TODO
rg "function" src/ # search src directory
rg -i "error" --glob "*.log" # case-insensitive search in log files# Install
# macOS: brew install bat
# Linux: sudo apt install bat
# Usage (syntax-highlighted file viewing)
bat README.md
bat --language json data.json| Priority | Change | Time to Set Up | Daily Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Git aliases | 2 min | 10-15 min |
| 2 | fzf Ctrl+R (history search) | 3 min | 5-10 min |
| 3 | Navigation aliases (.. / dev / dl) | 1 min | 5 min |
| 4 | mkcd function | 1 min | 3 min |
| 5 | z/zoxide directory jumping | 3 min | 5-10 min |
| 6 | tmux basics (split panes) | 5 min | 10+ min |
| 7 | Starship prompt (git info at a glance) | 3 min | 5 min |
| 8 | ripgrep replacing grep | 2 min | 5 min |
| 9 | extract function | 1 min | 2 min |
| 10 | Safety aliases (rm -i, mv -i) | 1 min | Prevents disasters |
Total setup time: about 20 minutes. Daily time saved: 50-75 minutes. The ROI is extraordinary.
Gather information. Ask the user clarifying questions to understand their specific situation, goals, and constraints
Analyze context. Review the information provided and identify key factors relevant to terminal productivity boost
Develop recommendations. Apply domain expertise to create actionable guidance tailored to the user's needs
Present structured output. Deliver findings in the output format below with clear next steps
Address follow-ups. Answer additional questions and refine recommendations based on feedback
## Terminal Productivity Boost Analysis
### Assessment
[Key findings and observations]
### Recommendations
1. [Primary recommendation]
2. [Secondary recommendation]
3. [Additional suggestions]
### Action Items
- [ ] [First action step]
- [ ] [Second action step]
- [ ] [Follow-up task]Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding with recommendations
Conflicting requirements: Prioritize the most critical constraint and note trade-offs
Out of scope requests: Redirect to appropriate specialized skill or professional resource
Beginner vs advanced: Adjust depth and terminology based on user's experience level
Input: "Help me with terminal productivity boost for my current situation"
Output:
Based on your situation, here is a structured approach to terminal productivity boost:
Assessment: Evaluate your current state and identify key areas for improvement
Strategy: Develop a targeted plan based on best practices
Implementation: Execute the plan with specific, measurable steps
Review: Monitor progress and adjust as needed
SKILL.md
474 lines · 2,027 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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