# prmt ๐
> Ultra-fast, customizable shell prompt that won't slow you down
[](https://crates.io/crates/prmt)
[](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
[](https://www.rust-lang.org)
> Rendered with `"{path:#89dceb}{rust:#f38ba8:f: ๐ฆ}{git:#f9e2af:f: }\n{ok:#a6e3a1}{fail:#f38ba8} "`
## Features
- **โก Blazing Fast**: Sub-millisecond rendering for typical prompts (~2ms end-to-end)
- **๐จ Highly Customizable**: Full control over colors, formats, and what information to show
- **๐ Context Aware**: Automatically detects git repos, project files, shows only what's relevant
- **๐ฆ Zero Dependencies**: Single binary, no runtime dependencies required
- **๐ฆ Memory Efficient**: Zero-copy parsing with SIMD optimizations
- **โจ Smart Rendering**: Only shows information when relevant to your current directory
## Why prmt?
**Faster than alternatives** โ Typical prompts render in ~2ms. Starship averages 10-50ms, oh-my-posh 20-100ms.
**Zero configuration needed** โ Works out of the box with sensible defaults. Customize only what you want.
**Predictable performance** โ No async operations, no network calls, no surprises. Your prompt is always instant.
**Single binary** โ Just install and go. No configuration files required unless you want them.
**Context-aware** โ Automatically detects git repositories, Rust/Node/Python projects, and shows only relevant info.
## Quick Start
**1. Install**
```bash
cargo install prmt
```
**2. Add to your shell** (pick one)
**Bash** โ Add to `~/.bashrc`:
```bash
# Simple with named colors
PS1='$(prmt --code $? "{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red} ")'
# Explicit shell wrapping (recommended for prompt usage)
PS1='$(prmt --shell bash --code $? "{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red} ")'
# Or with hex colors for precise theming
PS1='$(prmt --code $? "{path:#89dceb} {git:#f9e2af} {ok:#a6e3a1}{fail:#f38ba8} ")'
```
**Zsh** โ Add to `~/.zshrc` (auto-detected by default; `--shell zsh` forces wrapping):
```bash
setopt PROMPT_SUBST
# Simple with named colors
PROMPT='$(prmt --shell zsh --code $? "{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red} ")'
# Or with hex colors for precise theming
PROMPT='$(prmt --shell zsh --code $? "{path:#89dceb} {git:#f9e2af} {ok:#a6e3a1}{fail:#f38ba8} ")'
```
**Fish** โ Add to `~/.config/fish/config.fish`:
```fish
function fish_prompt
prmt --code $status '{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red} '
end
```
**3. Reload your shell**
```bash
exec $SHELL # or open a new terminal
```
Done! ๐
<details>
<summary>Advanced setup (PROMPT_COMMAND, precmd, environment variables)</summary>
### Bash with PROMPT_COMMAND
```bash
function _prmt_prompt() {
local last=$?
PS1="$(prmt --code $last '{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red}')"
}
PROMPT_COMMAND=_prmt_prompt
```
*If you already use `PROMPT_COMMAND`, append `_prmt_prompt` instead of overwriting it.*
### Bash transient prompt (no ble.sh)
```bash
PS1='$(prmt --shell bash --code $? "{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red} ")'
function _prmt_lastcommand() {
history | tail -1 | cut -c 8-
}
function _prmt_deleteprompt() {
local prompt=${PS1@P}
local lines=${prompt//[^$'\n']}
local count=${#lines}
tput cuu $((count + 1))
tput ed
}
function _prmt_indicator() {
prmt --shell bash --code ${1:-0} "{ok:green}> {fail:red}> "
}
PS0='\[$(_prmt_deleteprompt)\]$(_prmt_indicator ${LAST_EXIT_CODE}) $(_prmt_lastcommand)\n\[${PS1:0:$((EXPS0=1,0))}\]'
PROMPT_COMMAND='LAST_EXIT_CODE=$?; [ "$EXPS0" = 0 ] && _prmt_deleteprompt && echo -e "$(_prmt_indicator ${LAST_EXIT_CODE})" || EXPS0=0'
```
This replaces the full prompt with a compact one after the command runs. It relies on `tput` and Bash 4.4+.
### Zsh with precmd
```zsh
function _prmt_precmd() {
local code=$?
PROMPT="$(prmt --code $code '{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red}')"
}
typeset -ga precmd_functions
precmd_functions+=(_prmt_precmd)
```
### PowerShell
```powershell
# Add to $PROFILE
function prompt {
prmt --code $LASTEXITCODE '{path:cyan:s} {git:purple:s:on :} {ok:green}{fail:red} '
}
```
### Environment Variable
All shells support using `PRMT_FORMAT` environment variable:
```bash
# Bash/Zsh
export PRMT_FORMAT="{path:cyan:r} {rust:red:m:v ๐ฆ} {git:purple}"
PS1='$(prmt --code $?)\$ '
# Fish
set -x PRMT_FORMAT "{path:cyan:r} {python:yellow:m: ๐} {git:purple}"
# PowerShell
$env:PRMT_FORMAT = "{path:cyan:r} {git:purple}"
```
</details>
## Popular Prompts
**Minimal**
```bash
prmt '{path:cyan:s} {ok:green}{fail:red} '
# Output: projects โฏ
```
**Developer**
```bash
prmt '{path:cyan} {git:purple} {rust:red:s: ๐ฆ} {node:green:s: โฌข} {ok:green}{fail:red} '
# Output: ~/projects/prmt on main ๐ฆ1.90 โฌข20.5 โฏ
```
**Identity (via env module)**
```bash
prmt '{env::USER}@{env::HOSTNAME} {path:cyan:s} {git:purple} {ok:green}{fail:red} '
# Output: zenpie@workbox projects on main โฏ
```
**Compact with time**
```bash
prmt '{time:dim:12h} {path:cyan:s} {git:purple:s} {ok:green}{fail:red} '
# Output: 02:30PM projects main โฏ
```
**Full featured with newline**
```bash
prmt '{path:cyan} {git:purple} {python:yellow:m: ๐} {time:dim}\n{ok:green}{fail:red} '
# Output: ~/ml-project on develop ๐3.11 14:30
# โฏ
```
**Status-focused**
```bash
prmt '{path:cyan:s} {git:purple:s:on :} {ok:green:โ}{fail:red:โ} '
# Output (success): projects on main โ
# Output (failure): projects on main โ
```
**With exit codes**
```bash
prmt '{path:cyan} {git:purple} {ok:green:โฏ}{fail:red::code} '
# Output (success): ~/projects main โฏ
# Output (failure): ~/projects main 127
```
## Installation
```bash
# Install from crates.io
cargo install prmt
# Build from source (Rust 2024 edition required)
cargo build --release
cp target/release/prmt ~/.local/bin/
# Or install directly from source
cargo install --path .
# Verify installation
prmt --version
```
## Usage Examples
```bash
# Simple format with defaults
prmt '{path} {rust} {git}'
# Output: ~/projects 1.89.0 master
# Format with types and styles
prmt '{path::a}' # /home/user/projects (absolute path)
prmt '{path::r}' # ~/projects (relative with ~)
prmt '{path::s}' # projects (short - last dir only)
prmt '{rust:red:s}' # 1.89 in red (short version)
prmt '{rust:red:m:v:}' # v1 in red (major version with prefix)
prmt '{path:cyan:s:[:]}' # [projects] in cyan
prmt '{git:purple::on :}' # on master in purple
# Simplified formats with omitted parts
prmt '{rust::::!}' # 1.89.0! (default style/type, suffix only)
prmt '{rust:::v:}' # v1.89.0 (default style/type, prefix only)
prmt '{path::::]}' # ~/projects] (suffix only)
prmt '{git:::on :}' # on master (prefix only)
# Add your own icons with prefix
prmt '{rust::: ๐ฆ}' # ๐ฆ1.89.0 (default color)
prmt '{node:green:: โฌข}' # โฌข20.5.0 in green
prmt '{python:yellow:: ๐}' # ๐3.11.0 in yellow
# Or add spacing with suffix for better readability
prmt '{rust::: ๐ฆ }' # ๐ฆ 1.89.0 (space after icon)
prmt '{node:green:: โฌข }' # โฌข 20.5.0 (space after icon)
# Using short format aliases
prmt '{path:cyan:s} {rust:red:m:v:}' # projects v1 (both in color)
prmt '{git::s:on :}' # on master (short format with prefix)
# No style with type
prmt '{path::s}' # projects (no color, short)
prmt '{path::a}' # /home/user/projects (no color, absolute)
prmt '{rust::m:v}' # v1 (no color, major with prefix)
# With exit code indicators (requires --code flag)
prmt --code $? '{path:cyan} {ok:green}{fail:red}'
# Output (success): ~/projects โฏ (green)
# Output (failure): ~/projects โฏ (red)
# Fast mode (no version detection)
prmt --no-version '{path:cyan} {rust:red} {node:green}'
# Output: ~/projects (only shows active modules, no versions)
# Custom symbols for ok/fail using type as symbol
prmt --code $? '{path} {ok::โ} {fail::โ}'
# Output (success): ~/projects โ
# Output (failure): ~/projects โ
# Show exit code on failure
prmt --code $? '{path} {ok::โฏ} {fail::code}'
# Output (success): ~/projects โฏ
# Output (failure with code 127): ~/projects 127
# Time formats
prmt '{time}' # 14:30 (default 24h)
prmt '{time::24hs}' # 14:30:45
prmt '{time::12h}' # 02:30PM
prmt '{time::12hs}' # 02:30:45PM
prmt '{path:cyan} {time:dim:12h}' # ~/projects 02:30PM (with styling)
```
## Format Specification
### Format Syntax
```
{module} - Default everything
{module:style} - Custom style
{module:style:type} - Custom style and type
{module:style:type:prefix} - Add prefix to value
{module:style:type:prefix:postfix} - Add prefix and postfix
# Omitting parts (empty means default)
{module::::suffix} - Default style/type, suffix only
{module:::prefix:} - Default style/type, prefix only
{module:::prefix:suffix} - Default style/type, both prefix/suffix
{module::type} - No style, specific type
{module::type::suffix} - No style, specific type, suffix only
```
### Available Modules
| `path` | Always active | Current directory with ~ for home |
| `ok` | Exit code = 0 | Shows when last command succeeded (default: โฏ) |
| `fail` | Exit code โ 0 | Shows when last command failed (default: โฏ) |
| `git` | `.git` directory | Branch name with status indicators |
| `node` | `package.json` | Node.js version |
| `python` | `requirements.txt`, `pyproject.toml`, etc | Python version |
| `rust` | `Cargo.toml` | Rust version |
| `deno` | `deno.json`, `deno.jsonc` | Deno version |
| `bun` | `bun.lock`, `bun.lockb` | Bun version |
| `go` | `go.mod` | Go version |
| `env` | Requested variable is set/non-empty | Value of a specific environment variable (format = name) |
| `time` | Always active | Current time in various formats |
| `json` | `--stdin` flag | Extract values from JSON piped via stdin (format = dot-path) |
### Type Values
**Version modules** (rust, node, python, etc.):
- `full` or `f` - Full version (1.89.0)
- `short` or `s` - Major.minor (1.89)
- `major` or `m` - Major only (1)
**Path module**:
- `relative` or `r` - Path with ~ for home directory (default)
- `absolute`, `a`, or `f` - Full absolute path without ~ substitution
- `short` or `s` - Last directory only
**Git module**:
- `full` or `f` - Branch with status (default)
- `short` or `s` - Branch name only
- Add `+owned` (or `+o`) to show only repos owned by the current user (e.g., `{git::full+owned}`)
**Ok/Fail modules**:
- `full` - Default symbol (โฏ)
- `code` - Shows the actual exit code number
- *Any other string* - Uses that string as the symbol (e.g., `{ok::โ}` shows โ)
**Time module**:
- `24h` - 24-hour format HH:MM (default)
- `24hs` or `24HS` - 24-hour format with seconds HH:MM:SS
- `12h` or `12H` - 12-hour format hh:MMAM/PM
- `12hs` or `12HS` - 12-hour format with seconds hh:MM:SSAM/PM
**Env module**:
- The `type` field is required and must be the environment variable name (e.g., `{env::USER}` or `{env:blue:PATH}`).
- The module emits the variable value only when it exists and is non-empty; otherwise it returns nothing so the placeholder is effectively inactive.
- Example for identity: `{env::USER}@{env::HOSTNAME}`
**Json module** (requires `--stdin`):
- Reads JSON from stdin and extracts values using dot-path notation.
- The `type` field is the dot-path to the value (e.g., `{json::.model.id}` or `{json::name}`).
- Supports nested objects (`{json::.a.b.c}`), array indexing (`{json::.items.0}`), and the leading dot is optional.
- Strings are returned as-is, numbers and booleans are stringified, null and missing paths produce no output.
- When `--stdin` is not passed, json placeholders are silently inactive.
**Claude Code status line** -- pipe JSON context to prmt to display model and context window usage.
Add to your Claude Code `settings.json`:
```json
{
"statusLine": {
"type": "command",
"command": "prmt --stdin '{path:#89dceb}{node:#a6e3a1:f: [:]}{rust:#f38ba8:f: ๐ฆ}{git:#f9e2af:f: ๓ฐข } {json:#d97757:.model.id: :}{json:#f5c2e7:.context_window.used_percentage: :%}'",
"padding": 0
}
}
```
### Type Validation
The format parser validates types at parse time to catch errors early:
```bash
# Valid types for each module
prmt '{path::short}' # โ Valid
prmt '{rust::major}' # โ Valid
prmt '{ok::โ}' # โ Valid (custom symbol)
prmt '{fail::code}' # โ Valid (shows exit code)
# Invalid types produce clear errors
prmt '{path::major}'
# Error: Invalid type 'major' for module 'path'. Valid types: relative, r, absolute, a, short, s
prmt '{git::major}'
# Error: Invalid type 'major' for module 'git'. Valid types: full, short
```
### Default Module Styles
| `path` | cyan | Yes |
| `ok` | green | Yes |
| `fail` | red | Yes |
| `git` | purple | Yes |
| `node` | green | Yes |
| `rust` | red | Yes |
| `python` | yellow | Yes |
| `go` | cyan | Yes |
| `deno` | - | Yes |
| `bun` | - | Yes |
| `time` | - | Yes |
### Styles
**Colors**: `black`, `red`, `green`, `yellow`, `blue`, `purple`, `cyan`, `white`, `#hexcode`
**Modifiers**: `bold`, `dim`, `italic`, `underline`, `reverse`, `strikethrough`
Combine with dots: `cyan.bold`, `red.dim.italic`
**Background colors**: use `fg+bg` or `+bg` (background only), then modifiers.
Examples: `#ffffff+#333333`, `+blue`, `cyan+#222.dim`
### Escaping
- `\{` โ `{` (literal brace)
- `\}` โ `}` (literal brace)
- `\n` โ newline
- `\t` โ tab
- `\:` โ `:` (literal colon in fields)
- `\\` โ `\` (literal backslash)
## Performance
### Actual Response Times
| Path only | ~0.01ms | Minimal prompt |
| Path + Git | ~1-2ms | Branch and status |
| With Rust version | ~25-30ms | Includes `rustc --version` |
| With `--no-version` | <5ms | Skips all version detection |
### Benchmark Snapshot
| Minimal render | 0.69 | `{path}` only |
| Typical prompt | 1.71 | `{path} {git} {ok}{fail}` |
| Full prompt with versions | 4.90 | `{path} {git} {rust} {node}` |
| End-to-end (typical) | 2.53 | `prmt` binary execution |
> Measurements captured on an Intel Core i9-13900K host with project files on a SATA SSD (Rust 1.90.0 release build). Each value is the median of 100 `cargo bench` runs.
**Why is it fast?**
- Zero-copy parsing with SIMD optimizations
- Efficient memory allocation strategies
- Context-aware detection (only checks what's needed)
- No async operations or network calls
- Written in Rust for maximum performance
## Command-Line Options
```
prmt [OPTIONS] [FORMAT]
OPTIONS:
-n, --no-version Skip version detection for speed
-d, --debug Show debug information and timing
-b, --bench Run benchmark (100 iterations)
--stdin Read JSON from stdin (enables json module)
--code <CODE> Exit code of the last command (for ok/fail modules)
--no-color Disable colored output
--shell <SHELL> Wrap ANSI escapes for the specified shell (bash, zsh, none)
-h, --help Print help
-V, --version Print version
ARGS:
<FORMAT> Format string (default from PRMT_FORMAT env var)
```
## Building from Source
```bash
# Requirements: Rust 2024 edition
git clone https://github.com/3axap4eHko/prmt.git
cd prmt
cargo build --release
# Run tests
cargo test
# Benchmark
./target/release/prmt --bench '{path} {rust} {git}'
```
## License
License [The MIT License](./LICENSE)
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivan Zakharchanka
