README.md
February 17, 2025 · View on GitHub
* screenshot taken in warp terminal
BB 🦴 -- backbone zsh prompt -- git
A bare minimum single file prompt, fast as a roadrunner MEEP! MEEP! 💨 ...
BackBone is a prompt with the bare minimum needed for a working zsh prompt that tracks git changes.
BB1 is a blazingly fast the roadrunner of the prompts! Be prepared for some Meep! Meep! Moments.
I was in need of a super simple minimal prompt that fulfills my needs. It has to be fast, easy to setup, a single file and have git support with minimal features. Furthermore i ended up building this one.
If you are like me and just looking for a prompt that is "not more than the bare minimum needed"
-- Stop looking!
Table of Contents
Quickstart
Clone the repository:
Clone the repository into ~/.config/zsh:
git clone git@github.com:lmllrjr/backbone-zsh-prompt.git ~/.config/zsh/backbone-zsh-prompt
Load the prompt in .zshrc file:
Copy the following lines into your .zshrc file:
# only load prompt if the `bb.zsh` file exists
[ -f $HOME/.config/zsh/backbone-zsh-prompt/bb.zsh ] && \
source $HOME/.config/zsh/backbone-zsh-prompt/bb.zsh
Tip
More installation options can be found on the BB Wiki Install page.
Explanation of elements

Colorization options / settings
| Option | Description | Default value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BB_PROMPT_DIR | The working directory | "13" ![]() | string |
| BB_PROMPT_GIT | The shown VCS in use (git:()) | "10" ![]() | string |
| BB_PROMPT_BRANCH | The git branch name | "1" ![]() | string |
| BB_PROMPT_ACTION | The git actions rebase/merge | "3" ![]() | string |
| BB_PROMPT_AHEAD_BEHIND | The ahead and behind arrows + counters | "4" ![]() | string |
| BB_PROMPT_COUNT | Changed file count on branch | "14" ![]() | string |
| BB_PROMPT_TAG | The git tag color (If not empty the git tag is active) | "" | string |
| BB_PROMPT_CLOCK | The clock (If not empty the clock is active) | "" | string |
| BB_PROMPT_PROJECTS_PATH | The path of the project folder | "${HOME}/code" | string |
| BB_PROMPT_PROJECTS | Turn the project folder option on or off | true | bool |
| BB_PROMPT_SIGN | Set the character of the prompt | "%" | string |
Tip
More information on the Projects Path can be found in the wiki!
Example config
Just set the variables in your .zshrc file.
Important
Make sure to set the vars before actually loading the prompt!
~/.zshrc:
# set vars
export BB_PROMPT_DIR=6
export BB_PROMPT_GIT="#EEEEEE"
export BB_PROMPT_TAG="blue"
export BB_PROMPT_PROJECTS_PATH="${HOME}/my/projects/path"
export BB_PROMPT_PROJECTS=false
export BB_PROMPT_SIGN="$"
# only load prompt if the `bb.zsh` file exists
[ -f $HOME/.config/zsh/backbone-zsh-prompt/bb.zsh ] && \
source $HOME/.config/zsh/backbone-zsh-prompt/bb.zsh
Note
If you want a fully-fledged prompt you should use one of the more sophisticated projects around github.
E.g. Pure ❤️.
Footnotes
-
BackBone zsh prompt ↩





