22 Zsh Modules

22.1 Description

Some optional parts of zsh are in modules, separate from the core of the shell. Each of these modules may be linked in to the shell at build time, or can be dynamically linked while the shell is running if the installation supports this feature. Modules are linked at runtime with the zmodload command, see Shell Builtin Commands.

The modules that are bundled with the zsh distribution are:

zsh/attr

Builtins for manipulating extended attributes (xattr).

zsh/cap

Builtins for manipulating POSIX.1e (POSIX.6) capability (privilege) sets.

zsh/clone

A builtin that can clone a running shell onto another terminal.

zsh/compctl

The compctl builtin for controlling completion.

zsh/complete

The basic completion code.

zsh/complist

Completion listing extensions.

zsh/computil

A module with utility builtins needed for the shell function based completion system.

zsh/curses

curses windowing commands

zsh/datetime

Some date/time commands and parameters.

zsh/db/gdbm

Builtins for managing associative array parameters tied to GDBM databases.

zsh/deltochar

A ZLE function duplicating EMACS’ zap-to-char.

zsh/example

An example of how to write a module.

zsh/files

Some basic file manipulation commands as builtins.

zsh/langinfo

Interface to locale information.

zsh/mapfile

Access to external files via a special associative array.

zsh/mathfunc

Standard scientific functions for use in mathematical evaluations.

zsh/nearcolor

Map colours to the nearest colour in the available palette.

zsh/newuser

Arrange for files for new users to be installed.

zsh/parameter

Access to internal hash tables via special associative arrays.

zsh/pcre

Interface to the PCRE library.

zsh/param/private

Builtins for managing private-scoped parameters in function context.

zsh/regex

Interface to the POSIX regex library.

zsh/sched

A builtin that provides a timed execution facility within the shell.

zsh/net/socket

Manipulation of Unix domain sockets

zsh/stat

A builtin command interface to the stat system call.

zsh/system

A builtin interface to various low-level system features.

zsh/net/tcp

Manipulation of TCP sockets

zsh/termcap

Interface to the termcap database.

zsh/terminfo

Interface to the terminfo database.

zsh/watch

Reporting of login and logout events.

zsh/zftp

A builtin FTP client.

zsh/zle

The Zsh Line Editor, including the bindkey and vared builtins.

zsh/zleparameter

Access to internals of the Zsh Line Editor via parameters.

zsh/zprof

A module allowing profiling for shell functions.

zsh/zpty

A builtin for starting a command in a pseudo-terminal.

zsh/zselect

Block and return when file descriptors are ready.

zsh/zutil

Some utility builtins, e.g. the one for supporting configuration via styles.