setopt

List enabled options

$ setopt

$ setopt [option]

$ set -o

setopt [-l] [-]option...

-l
    List all available options with their current settings.

-
    Unset (disable) the specified option.

option
    The name of the shell option to set or unset. If prefixed with -, it is unset. Otherwise, it is set.

The setopt command is a powerful tool in the zsh shell for managing shell options. It allows users to dynamically alter the behavior of the shell without needing to restart it or modify configuration files. Options can be set to enable specific features, enhance interactivity, or modify how commands are interpreted and executed. This flexibility makes setopt invaluable for customizing the shell environment to suit individual preferences and the demands of various scripting tasks. Many of these options have corresponding settings in the .zshrc file, but setopt provides a real-time way to experiment and adapt. Understanding and utilizing setopt can significantly improve shell productivity and customization capabilities.

setopt is specific to the zsh shell and will not work in other shells like bash. Incorrectly setting options can lead to unexpected shell behavior. It's advisable to test options in a non-critical environment or be prepared to unset them if issues arise.

Some frequently used options include setopt extendedglob for more powerful pattern matching, setopt auto_cd to automatically change directory when a path is entered without an explicit command, and setopt hist_verify to prompt before executing commands from history. Refer to the zsh manual for a comprehensive list.

The setopt command is an integral part of the zsh shell, which has a rich history dating back to the late 1980s. Its development has been driven by the goal of providing a highly configurable and powerful interactive shell, and setopt is a key feature that enables this. As zsh evolved, new options were added to support emerging functionalities and user preferences, making setopt a continuously relevant command for shell customization.

zsh(1), unsetopt(1), set(1)