Getting Started with Oh My Zsh

You want a clean Zsh setup you can break without fear. Docker is perfect for that, as it's fast to spin up and easy to reset. In this guide, you’ll install Oh My Zsh, add two must-have plugins, and learn how to detach from a running container without killing it. We’ll also cover additional tips to maximize your setup.

What you’ll build

• A disposable Ubuntu 24.04 container with zsh, Oh My Zsh, and:
  • zsh-autosuggestions for command suggestions as you type
  • zsh-syntax-highlighting for readable, colour-coded commands

You can practice and tweak your .zshrc here, then copy the config to your real machine later.

Prerequisites

• Docker is installed and running
• Basic terminal comfort

1) Create a Docker container

Start a vanilla Ubuntu 24.04 container with a shell:

docker run -it --name ohmyzsh-setup ubuntu:24.04 bash

You’re now inside the container as root.

2) Install Zsh and essentials

Update apt and install the tools we’ll use:

apt update && apt install -y wget zsh git vim

3) Install Oh My Zsh

Run the official installer:

cd
sh -c "$(wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh -O -)"

The installer sets up ~/.oh-my-zsh and creates a starter ~/.zshrc.
If it doesn’t drop you into Zsh automatically, just run:

zsh

4) Detach from the container without stopping it

Sometimes, you need to return to your host shell while keeping the container running.

• Press Ctrl+P, then Ctrl+Q to detach.

The container continues to run in the background. Later, jump back in with:

docker attach ohmyzsh-setup

Or open a fresh shell:

docker exec -it ohmyzsh-setup zsh

5) Add autosuggestions and syntax highlighting

Clone both plugins into Oh My Zsh’s custom/plugins directory:

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions ~/.oh-my-zsh/custom/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions
git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-syntax-highlighting.git ~/.oh-my-zsh/custom/plugins/zsh-syntax-highlighting

Now enable them in your ~/.zshrc.

Open the file:

vim ~/.zshrc

Find the plugins=(...) line and set it like this (order matters—put syntax highlighting last):

plugins=(
  git
  zsh-autosuggestions
  zsh-syntax-highlighting
)

Save and reload:

source ~/.zshrc

You should now see:

• Autosuggestions in a faint colour as you type—press → (right arrow) or End to accept.
• Syntax highlighting that colours commands and flags before you run them.

6) Quick verification

Try a few commands:

gi               # autosuggests 'git'
git st           # autosuggests 'git status'
ls --hel         # shows highlighting for a valid/invalid flag as you type

7) Optional: tweak your theme

The default theme is robbyrussell. You can switch to something simple like clean:

sed -i 's/^ZSH_THEME=.*/ZSH_THEME="clean"/' ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc

Or browse through hundreds of community themes. Some themes show git status, battery level, or Kubernetes context right in your prompt.

8) Power-up with more plugins

The real magic of Oh My Zsh is in its plugin ecosystem. Explore all available plugins here:
👉 https://github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/wiki/plugins

Some favourites for DevOps workflows:

• docker – tab-completion and shortcuts for docker commands
• kubectl – autocompletion for Kubernetes clusters
• terraform – aliases for Terraform commands
• pip / python – helpers for Python projects
• fzf (with z or fasd) – fuzzy finders to jump around directories and command history

To enable, add them to your plugins=(...) list in .zshrc.

9) Use aliases and custom functions

Shortcuts save time. Edit your .zshrc and add things you type often:

alias k=kubectl
alias gco='git checkout'
alias gst='git status'
alias dcu='docker compose up -d'

For more complex workflows, create shell functions:

function kctx() {
  kubectl config use-context "$1"
}

10) Persist useful history

Zsh lets you configure how history behaves. Add this to your .zshrc:

HISTFILE=~/.zsh_history
HISTSIZE=50000
SAVEHIST=50000
setopt share_history   # Share command history across sessions
setopt hist_ignore_all_dups

This keeps your history long and clean—great for finding old commands with Ctrl+R.

11) Speed things up

Oh My Zsh can slow down if you load too much. A few tricks:

• Keep plugins=(...) minimal—only what you use daily
• Use the zsh-fast-syntax-highlighting fork if regular highlighting feels sluggish
• If your prompt feels slow, switch to a lighter theme

🔥 Top 10 Oh My Zsh Plugins for DevOps

Oh My Zsh has hundreds of plugins. For DevOps work, these 10 deliver the biggest productivity boost:

1. git

Aliases and helpers for common Git commands.

gst        # git status
gco branch # git checkout branch
gcmsg "msg" # git commit -m "msg"

2. docker

Tab-completion and handy shortcuts for Docker.

dps   # docker ps
dcu   # docker-compose up
dcd   # docker-compose down

3. kubectl

Simplifies Kubernetes commands.

k get pods
k describe svc my-service

Add this alias to your .zshrc for speed:

alias k=kubectl

4. terraform

Aliases for Terraform workflows.

tf init
tf plan
tf apply

5. aws

Completion and shortcuts for AWS CLI commands.

aws s3 ls
aws ec2 describe-instances

6. pip & python

Helpers for Python environments.

pipup   # upgrade all pip packages
pyclean # remove .pyc files recursively

7. npm & node

For JavaScript/TypeScript developers managing tools and builds.

npm-outdated # check outdated packages
node -v      # autocomplete versions

8. fzf

(Fuzzy Finder—requires fzf installed)
Search history, files, or directories lightning-fast.

Ctrl+R   # fuzzy search through history
Ctrl+T   # fuzzy search for files

9. z (autojump)

Jump to frequently used directories with just a few letters.

z project    # jumps to ~/work/devops/project

10. history-substring-search

Search history interactively with arrow keys.

# Type 'dock' then press ↑ to cycle through past `docker` commands

How to enable these plugins

Edit your .zshrc and add them:

plugins=(
  git
  docker
  kubectl
  terraform
  aws
  pip
  python
  npm
  node
  fzf
  z
  history-substring-search
)

Then reload:

source ~/.zshrc

Cleanup and repeat

Want to start over?

docker rm -f ohmyzsh-setup

Then rerun step 1. This container workflow gives you a safe playground, perfect for learning, testing themes, and building a .zshrc you’ll trust your daily driver.

Final thoughts

Oh My Zsh is more than a pretty prompt. It’s a productivity framework. By experimenting in Docker, you get a safe lab to test themes, plugins, and custom scripts, then take the best parts back to your main environment.

Start small: one theme you like, two or three plugins, and a couple of custom aliases. Over time, you’ll tune Zsh into a shell that feels like an extension of your brain.