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# 24. User Contributions

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## 24.1 Description

The Zsh source distribution includes a number of items contributed by the user community. These are not inherently a part of the shell, and some may not be available in every zsh installation. The most significant of these are documented here. For documentation on other contributed items such as shell functions, look for comments in the function source files.

> 24.2 Utilities |  |
> 24.3 Prompt Themes |  |
> 24.4 ZLE Functions |  |
> 24.5 MIME Functions |  |
> 24.6 Other Functions |  |

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## 24.2 Utilities

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### 24.2.1 Accessing On-Line Help

The key sequence `ESC h` is normally bound by ZLE to execute the `run-help` widget (see 17. Zsh Line Editor). This invokes the `run-help` command with the command word from the current input line as its argument. By default, `run-help` is an alias for the `man` command, so this often fails when the command word is a shell builtin or a user-defined function. By redefining the `run-help` alias, one can improve the on-line help provided by the shell.

The `helpfiles` utility, found in the `Util` directory of the distribution, is a Perl program that can be used to process the zsh manual to produce a separate help file for each shell builtin and for many other shell features as well. The autoloadable `run-help` function, found in `Functions/Misc`, searches for these helpfiles and performs several other tests to produce the most complete help possible for the command.

There may already be a directory of help files on your system; look in `/usr/share/zsh` or `/usr/local/share/zsh` and subdirectories below those, or ask your system administrator.

To create your own help files with `helpfiles`, choose or create a directory where the individual command help files will reside. For example, you might choose `~/zsh_help`. If you unpacked the zsh distribution in your home directory, you would use the commands:

    mkdir ~/zsh_help
    cd ~/zsh_help
    man zshall | colcrt - | \
    perl ~/zsh-4.2.4/Util/helpfiles

Next, to use the `run-help` function, you need to add lines something like the following to your `.zshrc` or equivalent startup file:

    unalias run-help
    autoload run-help
    HELPDIR=~/zsh_help

The `HELPDIR` parameter tells `run-help` where to look for the help files. If your system already has a help file directory installed, set `HELPDIR` to the path of that directory instead.

Note that in order for ``autoload run-help`' to work, the `run-help` file must be in one of the directories named in your `fpath` array (see 14.6 Parameters Used By The Shell). This should already be the case if you have a standard zsh installation; if it is not, copy `Functions/Misc/run-help` to an appropriate directory.

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### 24.2.2 Recompiling Functions

If you frequently edit your zsh functions, or periodically update your zsh installation to track the latest developments, you may find that function digests compiled with the `zcompile` builtin are frequently out of date with respect to the function source files. This is not usually a problem, because zsh always looks for the newest file when loading a function, but it may cause slower shell startup and function loading. Also, if a digest file is explicitly used as an element of `fpath`, zsh won't check whether any of its source files has changed.

The `zrecompile` autoloadable function, found in `Functions/Misc`, can be used to keep function digests up to date.

`zrecompile` [ `-qt` ] [ name ... ]
`zrecompile` [ `-qt` ] `-p` args [ `-``-` args ... ]
  This tries to find `*.zwc` files and automatically re-compile them if at least one of the original files is newer than the compiled file. This works only if the names stored in the compiled files are full paths or are relative to the directory that contains the `.zwc` file.

  In the first form, each name is the name of a compiled file or a directory containing `*.zwc` files that should be checked. If no arguments are given, the directories and `*.zwc` files in `fpath` are used.

  When `-t` is given, no compilation is performed, but a return status of zero (true) is set if there are files that need to be re-compiled and non-zero (false) otherwise. The `-q` option quiets the chatty output that describes what `zrecompile` is doing.

  Without the `-t` option, the return status is zero if all files that needed re-compilation could be compiled and non-zero if compilation for at least one of the files failed.

  If the `-p` option is given, the args are interpreted as one or more sets of arguments for `zcompile`, separated by ``-``-`'. For example:

      zrecompile -p \
                 -R ~/.zshrc -- \
                 -M ~/.zcompdump -- \
                 ~/zsh/comp.zwc ~/zsh/Completion/*/_*

  This compiles `~/.zshrc` into `~/.zshrc.zwc` if that doesn't exist or if it is older than `~/.zshrc`. The compiled file will be marked for reading instead of mapping. The same is done for `~/.zcompdump` and `~/.zcompdump.zwc`, but this compiled file is marked for mapping. The last line re-creates the file `~/zsh/comp.zwc` if any of the files matching the given pattern is newer than it.

  Without the `-p` option, `zrecompile` does not create function digests that do not already exist, nor does it add new functions to the digest.

The following shell loop is an example of a method for creating function digests for all functions in your `fpath`, assuming that you have write permission to the directories:

    for ((i=1; i <= $#fpath; ++i)); do
      dir=$fpath[i]
      zwc=${dir:t}.zwc
      if [[ $dir == (.|..) || $dir == (.|..)/* ]]; then
        continue
      fi
      files=($dir/*(N-.))
      if [[ -w $dir:h && -n $files ]]; then
        files=(${${(M)files%/*/*}#/})
        if ( cd $dir:h &&
             zrecompile -p -U -z $zwc $files ); then
          fpath[i]=$fpath[i].zwc
        fi
      fi
    done

The `-U` and `-z` options are appropriate for functions in the default zsh installation `fpath`; you may need to use different options for your personal function directories.

Once the digests have been created and your `fpath` modified to refer to them, you can keep them up to date by running `zrecompile` with no arguments.

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### 24.2.3 Keyboard Definition

The large number of possible combinations of keyboards, workstations, terminals, emulators, and window systems makes it impossible for zsh to have built-in key bindings for every situation. The `zkbd` utility, found in Functions/Misc, can help you quickly create key bindings for your configuration.

Run `zkbd` either as an autoloaded function, or as a shell script:

    zsh -f ~/zsh-4.2.4/Functions/Misc/zkbd

When you run `zkbd`, it first asks you to enter your terminal type; if the default it offers is correct, just press return. It then asks you to press a number of different keys to determine characteristics of your keyboard and terminal; `zkbd` warns you if it finds anything out of the ordinary, such as a Delete key that sends neither `^H` nor `^?`.

The keystrokes read by `zkbd` are recorded as a definition for an associative array named `key`, written to a file in the subdirectory `.zkbd` within either your `HOME` or `ZDOTDIR` directory. The name of the file is composed from the `TERM`, `VENDOR` and `OSTYPE` parameters, joined by hyphens.

You may read this file into your `.zshrc` or another startup file with the "source" or "." commands, then reference the `key` parameter in bindkey commands, like this:

    source ${ZDOTDIR:-$HOME}/.zkbd/$TERM-$VENDOR-$OSTYPE
    [[ -n ${key[Left]} ]] && bindkey "${key[Left]}" backward-char
    [[ -n ${key[Right]} ]] && bindkey "${key[Right]}" forward-char
    # etc.

Note that in order for ``autoload zkbd`' to work, the `zkdb` file must be in one of the directories named in your `fpath` array (see 14.6 Parameters Used By The Shell). This should already be the case if you have a standard zsh installation; if it is not, copy `Functions/Misc/zkbd` to an appropriate directory.

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### 24.2.4 Dumping Shell State

Occasionally you may encounter what appears to be a bug in the shell, particularly if you are using a beta version of zsh or a development release. Usually it is sufficient to send a description of the problem to one of the zsh mailing lists (see 2.3 Mailing Lists), but sometimes one of the zsh developers will need to recreate your environment in order to track the problem down.

The script named `reporter`, found in the `Util` directory of the distribution, is provided for this purpose. (It is also possible to `autoload reporter`, but `reporter` is not installed in `fpath` by default.) This script outputs a detailed dump of the shell state, in the form of another script that can be read with ``zsh -f`' to recreate that state.

To use `reporter`, read the script into your shell with the ``.`' command and redirect the output into a file:

    . ~/zsh-4.2.4/Util/reporter > zsh.report

You should check the `zsh.report` file for any sensitive information such as passwords and delete them by hand before sending the script to the developers. Also, as the output can be voluminous, it's best to wait for the developers to ask for this information before sending it.

You can also use `reporter` to dump only a subset of the shell state. This is sometimes useful for creating startup files for the first time. Most of the output from reporter is far more detailed than usually is necessary for a startup file, but the `aliases`, `options`, and `zstyles` states may be useful because they include only changes from the defaults. The `bindings` state may be useful if you have created any of your own keymaps, because `reporter` arranges to dump the keymap creation commands as well as the bindings for every keymap.

As is usual with automated tools, if you create a startup file with `reporter`, you should edit the results to remove unnecessary commands. Note that if you're using the new completion system, you should not dump the `functions` state to your startup files with `reporter`; use the `compdump` function instead (see 19. Completion System).

`reporter` [ state ... ]
  Print to standard output the indicated subset of the current shell state. The state arguments may be one or more of:

  `all`
    Output everything listed below.
  `aliases`
    Output alias definitions.
  `bindings`
    Output ZLE key maps and bindings.
  `completion`
    Output old-style `compctl` commands. New completion is covered by `functions` and `zstyles`.
  `functions`
    Output autoloads and function definitions.
  `limits`
    Output `limit` commands.
  `options`
    Output `setopt` commands.
  `styles`
    Same as `zstyles`.
  `variables`
    Output shell parameter assignments, plus `export` commands for any environment variables.
  `zstyles`
    Output `zstyle` commands.

  If the state is omitted, `all` is assumed.

  With the exception of ``all`', every state can be abbreviated by any prefix, even a single letter; thus `a` is the same as `aliases`, `z` is the same as `zstyles`, etc.

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## 24.3 Prompt Themes

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### 24.3.1 Installation

You should make sure all the functions from the `Functions/Prompts` directory of the source distribution are available; they all begin with the string ``prompt_`' except for the special function``promptinit`'. You also need the ``colors`' function from `Functions/Misc`. All of these functions may already have been installed on your system; if not, you will need to find them and copy them. The directory should appear as one of the elements of the `fpath` array (this should already be the case if they were installed), and at least the function `promptinit` should be autoloaded; it will autoload the rest. Finally, to initialize the use of the system you need to call the `promptinit` function. The following code in your `.zshrc` will arrange for this; assume the functions are stored in the directory `~/myfns`:

    fpath=(~/myfns $fpath)
    autoload -U promptinit
    promptinit

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### 24.3.2 Theme Selection

Use the `prompt` command to select your preferred theme. This command may be added to your `.zshrc` following the call to `promptinit` in order to start zsh with a theme already selected.

`prompt` [ `-c` | `-l` ]
`prompt` [ `-p` | `-h` ] [ theme ... ]
`prompt` [ `-s` ] theme [ arg ... ]
  Set or examine the prompt theme. With no options and a theme argument, the theme with that name is set as the current theme. The available themes are determined at run time; use the `-l` option to see a list. The special theme ``random`' selects at random one of the available themes and sets your prompt to that.

  In some cases the theme may be modified by one or more arguments, which should be given after the theme name. See the help for each theme for descriptions of these arguments.

  Options are:

  `-c`
    Show the currently selected theme and its parameters, if any.
  `-l`
    List all available prompt themes.
  `-p`
    Preview the theme named by theme, or all themes if no theme is given.
  `-h`
    Show help for the theme named by theme, or for the `prompt` function if no theme is given.
  `-s`
    Set theme as the current theme and save state.

`prompt_`theme`_setup`
  Each available theme has a setup function which is called by the `prompt` function to install that theme. This function may define other functions as necessary to maintain the prompt, including functions used to preview the prompt or provide help for its use. You should not normally call a theme's setup function directly.

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## 24.4 ZLE Functions

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### 24.4.1 Widgets

These functions all implement user-defined ZLE widgets (see 17. Zsh Line Editor) which can be bound to keystrokes in interactive shells. To use them, your `.zshrc` should contain lines of the form

    autoload function
    zle -N function

followed by an appropriate `bindkey` command to associate the function with a key sequence. Suggested bindings are described below.

bash-style word functions
  If you are looking for functions to implement moving over and editing words in the manner of bash, where only alphanumeric characters are considered word characters, you can use the functions described in the next section. The following is sufficient:

      autoload -U select-word-style
      select-word-style bash

`forward-word-match`, `backward-word-match`
`kill-word-match`, `backward-kill-word-match`
`transpose-words-match`, `capitalize-word-match`
`up-case-word-match`, `down-case-word-match`
`select-word-style`, `match-words-by-style`
  The eight ``-match`' functions are drop-in replacements for the builtin widgets without the suffix. By default they behave in a similar way. However, by the use of styles and the function `select-word-style`, the way words are matched can be altered.

  The simplest way of configuring the functions is to use `select-word-style`, which can either be called as a normal function with the appropriate argument, or invoked as a user-defined widget that will prompt for the first character of the word style to be used. The first time it is invoked, the eight `-match` functions will automatically replace the builtin versions, so they do not need to be loaded explicitly.

  The word styles available are as follows. Only the first character is examined.

  `bash`
    Word characters are alphanumeric characters only.

  `normal`
    As in normal shell operation: word characters are alphanumeric characters plus any characters present in the string given by the parameter `$WORDCHARS`.

  `shell`
    Words are complete shell command arguments, possibly including complete quoted strings, or any tokens special to the shell.

  `whitespace`
    Words are any set of characters delimited by whitespace.

  `default`
    Restore the default settings; this is usually the same as ``normal`'.

  More control can be obtained using the `zstyle` command, as described in 21.31 The zsh/zutil Module. Each style is looked up in the context `:zle:`widget where widget is the name of the user-defined widget, not the name of the function implementing it, so in the case of the definitions supplied by `select-word-style` the appropriate contexts are `:zle:forward-word`, and so on. The function `select-word-style` itself always defines styles for the context ``:zle:*`' which can be overridden by more specific (longer) patterns as well as explicit contexts.

  The style `word-style` specifies the rules to use. This may have the following values.

  `normal`
    Use the standard shell rules, i.e. alphanumerics and `$WORDCHARS`, unless overridden by the styles `word-chars` or `word-class`.

  `specified`
    Similar to `normal`, but only the specified characters, and not also alphanumerics, are considered word characters.

  `unspecified`
    The negation of specified. The given characters are those which will not be considered part of a word.

  `shell`
    Words are obtained by using the syntactic rules for generating shell command arguments. In addition, special tokens which are never command arguments such as ``()`' are also treated as words.

  `whitespace`
    Words are whitespace-delimited strings of characters.

  The first three of those styles usually use `$WORDCHARS`, but the value in the parameter can be overridden by the style `word-chars`, which works in exactly the same way as `$WORDCHARS`. In addition, the style `word-class` uses character class syntax to group characters and takes precedence over `word-chars` if both are set. The `word-class` style does not include the surrounding brackets of the character class; for example, ``-:[:alnum:]`' is a valid `word-class` to include all alphanumerics plus the characters ``-`' and ``:`'. Be careful including ``]`', ``^`' and ``-`' as these are special inside character classes.

  The final style is `skip-chars`. This is mostly useful for `transpose-words` and similar functions. If set, it gives a count of characters starting at the cursor position which will not be considered part of the word and are treated as space, regardless of what they actually are. For example, if

      zstyle ':zle:transpose-words' skip-chars 1

  has been set, and `transpose-words-match` is called with the cursor on the X of `foo` X `bar`, where X can be any character, then the resulting expression is `bar` X `foo`.

  Here are some examples of use of the styles, actually taken from the simplified interface in `select-word-style`:

      zstyle ':zle:*' word-style standard
      zstyle ':zle:*' word-chars ''

  Implements bash-style word handling for all widgets, i.e. only alphanumerics are word characters; equivalent to setting the parameter `WORDCHARS` empty for the given context.

      style ':zle:*kill*' word-style space

  Uses space-delimited words for widgets with the word `kill' in the name. Neither of the styles `word-chars` nor `word-class` is used in this case.

  The word matching and all the handling of `zstyle` settings is actually implemented by the function `match-words-by-style`. This can be used to create new user-defined widgets. The calling function should set the local parameter `curcontext` to `:zle:`widget, create the local parameter `matched_words` and call `match-words-by-style` with no arguments. On return, `matched_words` will be set to an array with the elements: (1) the start of the line (2) the word before the cursor (3) any non-word characters between that word and the cursor (4) any non-word character at the cursor position plus any remaining non-word characters before the next word, including all characters specified by the `skip-chars` style, (5) the word at or following the cursor (6) any non-word characters following that word (7) the remainder of the line. Any of the elements may be an empty string; the calling function should test for this to decide whether it can perform its function.

  It is possible to pass options with arguments to `match-words-by-style` to override the use of styles. The options are:

  `-w`
    word-style
  `-s`
    skip-chars
  `-c`
    word-class
  `-C`
    word-chars

  For example, `match-words-by-style -w shell -c 0` may be used to extract the command argument around the cursor.

`delete-whole-word-match`
  This is another function which works like the `-match` functions described immediately above, i.e. using styles to decide the word boundaries. However, it is not a replacement for any existing function.

  The basic behaviour is to delete the word around the cursor. There is no numeric prefix handling; only the single word around the cursor is considered. If the widget contains the string `kill`, the removed text will be placed in the cutbuffer for future yanking. This can be obtained by defining `kill-whole-word-match` as follows:

      zle -N kill-whole-word-match delete-whole-word-match

  and then binding the widget `kill-whole-word-match`.

`copy-earlier-word`
  This widget works like a combination of `insert-last-word` and `copy-prev-shell-word`. Repeated invocations of the widget retrieve earlier words on the relevant history line. With a numeric argument N, insert the Nth word from the history line; N may be negative to count from the end of the line.

  If `insert-last-word` has been used to retrieve the last word on a previous history line, repeated invocations will replace that word with earlier words from the same line.

  Otherwise, the widget applies to words on the line currently being edited. The `widget` style can be set to the name of another widget that should be called to retrieve words. This widget must accept the same three arguments as `insert-last-word`.

`cycle-completion-positions`
  After inserting an unambiguous string into the command line, the new function based completion system may know about multiple places in this string where characters are missing or differ from at least one of the possible matches. It will then place the cursor on the position it considers to be the most interesting one, i.e. the one where one can disambiguate between as many matches as possible with as little typing as possible.

  This widget allows the cursor to be easily moved to the other interesting spots. It can be invoked repeatedly to cycle between all positions reported by the completion system.

`edit-command-line`
  Edit the command line using your visual editor, as in `ksh`.

      bindkey -M vicmd v edit-command-line

`history-search-end`
  This function implements the widgets `history-beginning-search-backward-end` and `history-beginning-search-forward-end`. These commands work by first calling the corresponding builtin widget (see 17.6.2 History Control) and then moving the cursor to the end of the line. The original cursor position is remembered and restored before calling the builtin widget a second time, so that the same search is repeated to look farther through the history.

  Although you `autoload` only one function, the commands to use it are slightly different because it implements two widgets.

      zle -N history-beginning-search-backward-end \
             history-search-end
      zle -N history-beginning-search-forward-end \
             history-search-end
      bindkey '\e^P' history-beginning-search-backward-end
      bindkey '\e^N' history-beginning-search-forward-end

`history-pattern-search`
  The function `history-pattern-search` implements widgets which prompt for a pattern with which to search the history backwards or forwards. The pattern is in the usual zsh format, however the first character may be `^` to anchor the search to the start of the line, and the last character may be `$` to anchor the search to the end of the line. If the search was not anchored to the end of the line the cursor is positioned just after the pattern found.

  The commands to create bindable widgets are similar to those in the example immediately above:

      autoload -U history-pattern-search
      zle -N history-pattern-search-backward history-pattern-search
      zle -N history-pattern-search-forward history-pattern-search

`up-line-or-beginning-search`, `down-line-or-beginning-search`
  These widgets are similar to the builtin functions `up-line-or-search` and `down-line-or-search`: if in a multiline buffer they move up or down within the buffer, otherwise they search for a history line matching the start of the current line. In this case, however, they search for a line which matches the current line up to the current cursor position, in the manner of `history-beginning-search-backward` and `-forward`, rather than the first word on the line.

`incarg`
  Typing the keystrokes for this widget with the cursor placed on or to the left of an integer causes that integer to be incremented by one. With a numeric prefix argument, the number is incremented by the amount of the argument (decremented if the prefix argument is negative). The shell parameter `incarg` may be set to change the default increment to something other than one.

      bindkey '^X+' incarg

`incremental-complete-word`
  This allows incremental completion of a word. After starting this command, a list of completion choices can be shown after every character you type, which you can delete with `^H` or `DEL`. Pressing return accepts the completion so far and returns you to normal editing (that is, the command line is not immediately executed). You can hit `TAB` to do normal completion, `^G` to abort back to the state when you started, and `^D` to list the matches.

  This works only with the new function based completion system.

      bindkey '^Xi' incremental-complete-word

`insert-files`
  This function allows you type a file pattern, and see the results of the expansion at each step. When you hit return, all expansions are inserted into the command line.

      bindkey '^Xf' insert-files

`narrow-to-region [ -p` pre `] [ -P` post `]`
`[ -S` statepm `| -R` statepm `] [ -n ] [` start end `]`)
`narrow-to-region-invisible`
  Narrow the editable portion of the buffer to the region between the cursor and the mark, which may be in either order. The region may not be empty.

  `narrow-to-region` may be used as a widget or called as a function from a user-defined widget; by default, the text outside the editable area remains visible. A `recursive-edit` is performed and the original widening status is then restored. Various options and arguments are available when it is called as a function.

  The options `-p` pretext and `-P` posttext may be used to replace the text before and after the display for the duration of the function; either or both may be an empty string.

  If the option `-n` is also given, pretext or posttext will only be inserted if there is text before or after the region respectively which will be made invisible.

  Two numeric arguments may be given which will be used instead of the cursor and mark positions.

  The option `-S` statepm is used to narrow according to the other options while saving the original state in the parameter with name statepm, while the option `-R` statepm is used to restore the state from the parameter; note in both cases the name of the parameter is required. In the second case, other options and arguments are irrelevant. When this method is used, no `recursive-edit` is performed; the calling widget should call this function with the option `-S`, perform its own editing on the command line or pass control to the user via ``zle recursive-edit`', then call this function with the option `-R`. The argument statepm must be a suitable name for an ordinary parameter, except that parameters beginning with the prefix `_ntr_` are reserved for use within `narrow-to-region`. Typically the parameter will be local to the calling function.

  `narrow-to-region-invisible` is a simple widget which calls `narrow-to-region` with arguments which replace any text outside the region with ``...`'.

  The display is restored (and the widget returns) upon any zle command which would usually cause the line to be accepted or aborted. Hence an additional such command is required to accept or abort the current line.

  The return status of both widgets is zero if the line was accepted, else non-zero.

  Here is a trivial example of a widget using this feature.

      local state
      narrow-to-region -p $'Editing restricted region\n' \
        -P '' -S state
      zle recursive-edit
      narrow-to-region -R state

`predict-on`
  This set of functions implements predictive typing using history search. After `predict-on`, typing characters causes the editor to look backward in the history for the first line beginning with what you have typed so far. After `predict-off`, editing returns to normal for the line found. In fact, you often don't even need to use `predict-off`, because if the line doesn't match something in the history, adding a key performs standard completion, and then inserts itself if no completions were found. However, editing in the middle of a line is liable to confuse prediction; see the `toggle` style below.

  With the function based completion system (which is needed for this), you should be able to type `TAB` at almost any point to advance the cursor to the next "interesting" character position (usually the end of the current word, but sometimes somewhere in the middle of the word). And of course as soon as the entire line is what you want, you can accept with return, without needing to move the cursor to the end first.

  The first time `predict-on` is used, it creates several additional widget functions:

  `delete-backward-and-predict`
    Replaces the `backward-delete-char` widget. You do not need to bind this yourself.
  `insert-and-predict`
    Implements predictive typing by replacing the `self-insert` widget. You do not need to bind this yourself.
  `predict-off`
    Turns off predictive typing.

  Although you `autoload` only the `predict-on` function, it is necessary to create a keybinding for `predict-off` as well.

      zle -N predict-on
      zle -N predict-off
      bindkey '^X^Z' predict-on
      bindkey '^Z' predict-off

`read-from-minibuffer`
  This is most useful when called as a function from inside a widget, but will work correctly as a widget in its own right. It prompts for a value below the current command line; a value may be input using all of the standard zle operations (and not merely the restricted set available when executing, for example, `execute-named-cmd`). The value is then returned to the calling function in the parameter `$REPLY` and the editing buffer restored to its previous state. If the read was aborted by a keyboard break (typically `^G`), the function returns status 1 and `$REPLY` is not set.

  If one argument is supplied to the function it is taken as a prompt, otherwise ``?` ' is used. If two arguments are supplied, they are the prompt and the initial value of `$LBUFFER`, and if a third argument is given it is the initial value of `$RBUFFER`. This provides a default value and starting cursor placement. Upon return the entire buffer is the value of `$REPLY`.

  One option is available: ``-k` num' specifies that num characters are to be read instead of a whole line. The line editor is not invoked recursively in this case, so depending on the terminal settings the input may not be visible, and only the input keys are placed in `$REPLY`, not the entire buffer. Note that unlike the `read` builtin num must be given; there is no default.

  The name is a slight misnomer, as in fact the shell's own minibuffer is not used. Hence it is still possible to call `executed-named-cmd` and similar functions while reading a value.

`replace-string`, `replace-pattern`
  The function `replace-string` implements two widgets. If defined under the same name as the function, it prompts for two strings; the first (source) string will be replaced by the second everywhere it occurs in the line editing buffer.

  If the widget name contains the word ``pattern`', for example by defining the widget using the command ``zle -N replace-pattern replace-string`', then the replacement is done by pattern matching. All zsh extended globbing patterns can be used in the source string; note that unlike filename generation the pattern does not need to match an entire word, nor do glob qualifiers have any effect. In addition, the replacement string can contain parameter or command substitutions. Furthermore, a ``&`' in the replacement string will be replaced with the matched source string, and a backquoted digit ``\`N' will be replaced by the Nth parenthesised expression matched. The form ``\{`N`}`' may be used to protect the digit from following digits.

  For example, starting from the line:

      print This line contains fan and fond

  and invoking `replace-pattern` with the source string ``f(?)n`' and the replacment string ``c\1r`' produces the not very useful line:

      print This line contains car and cord

  The range of the replacement string can be limited by using the `narrow-to-region-invisible` widget. One limitation of the current version is that `undo` will cycle through changes to the replacement and source strings before undoing the replacement itself.

`smart-insert-last-word`
  This function may replace the `insert-last-word` widget, like so:

      zle -N insert-last-word smart-insert-last-word

  With a numeric prefix, or when passed command line arguments in a call from another widget, it behaves like `insert-last-word`, except that words in comments are ignored when `INTERACTIVE_COMMENTS` is set.

  Otherwise, the rightmost "interesting" word from the previous command is found and inserted. The default definition of "interesting" is that the word contains at least one alphabetic character, slash, or backslash. This definition may be overridden by use of the `match` style. The context used to look up the style is the widget name, so usually the context is `:insert-last-word`. However, you can bind this function to different widgets to use different patterns:

      zle -N insert-last-assignment smart-insert-last-word
      zstyle :insert-last-assignment match '[[:alpha:]][][[:alnum:]]#=*'
      bindkey '\e=' insert-last-assignment

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### 24.4.2 Styles

The behavior of several of the above widgets can be controlled by the use of the `zstyle` mechanism. In particular, widgets that interact with the completion system pass along their context to any completions that they invoke.

`break-keys`
  This style is used by the `incremental-complete-word` widget. Its value should be a pattern, and all keys matching this pattern will cause the widget to stop incremental completion without the key having any further effect. Like all styles used directly by `incremental-complete-word`, this style is looked up using the context ``:incremental`'.

`completer`
  The `incremental-complete-word` and `insert-and-predict` widgets set up their top-level context name before calling completion. This allows one to define different sets of completer functions for normal completion and for these widgets. For example, to use completion, approximation and correction for normal completion, completion and correction for incremental completion and only completion for prediction one could use:

      zstyle ':completion:*' completer \
              _complete _correct _approximate
      zstyle ':completion:incremental:*' completer \
              _complete _correct
      zstyle ':completion:predict:*' completer \
              _complete

  It is a good idea to restrict the completers used in prediction, because they may be automatically invoked as you type. The `_list` and `_menu` completers should never be used with prediction. The `_approximate`, `_correct`, `_expand`, and `_match` completers may be used, but be aware that they may change characters anywhere in the word behind the cursor, so you need to watch carefully that the result is what you intended.

`cursor`
  The `insert-and-predict` widget uses this style, in the context ``:predict`', to decide where to place the cursor after completion has been tried. Values are:

  `complete`
    The cursor is left where it was when completion finished, but only if it is after a character equal to the one just inserted by the user. If it is after another character, this value is the same as ``key`'.

  `key`
    The cursor is left after the nth occurrence of the character just inserted, where n is the number of times that character appeared in the word before completion was attempted. In short, this has the effect of leaving the cursor after the character just typed even if the completion code found out that no other characters need to be inserted at that position.

  Any other value for this style unconditionally leaves the cursor at the position where the completion code left it.

`list`
  When using the `incremental-complete-word` widget, this style says if the matches should be listed on every key press (if they fit on the screen). Use the context prefix ``:completion:incremental`'.

  The `insert-and-predict` widget uses this style to decide if the completion should be shown even if there is only one possible completion. This is done if the value of this style is the string `always`. In this case the context is ``:predict`' (not ``:completion:predict`').

`match`
  This style is used by `smart-insert-last-word` to provide a pattern (using full `EXTENDED_GLOB` syntax) that matches an interesting word. The context is the name of the widget to which `smart-insert-last-word` is bound (see above). The default behavior of `smart-insert-last-word` is equivalent to:

      zstyle :insert-last-word match '*[[:alpha:]/\\]*'

  However, you might want to include words that contain spaces:

      zstyle :insert-last-word match '*[[:alpha:][:space:]/\\]*'

  Or include numbers as long as the word is at least two characters long:

      zstyle :insert-last-word match '*([[:digit:]]?|[[:alpha:]/\\])*'

  The above example causes redirections like "2>" to be included.

`prompt`
  The `incremental-complete-word` widget shows the value of this style in the status line during incremental completion. The string value may contain any of the following substrings in the manner of the `PS1` and other prompt parameters:

  `%c`
    Replaced by the name of the completer function that generated the matches (without the leading underscore).

  `%l`
    When the `list` style is set, replaced by ``...`' if the list of matches is too long to fit on the screen and with an empty string otherwise. If the `list` style is `false' or not set, ``%l`' is always removed.

  `%n`
    Replaced by the number of matches generated.

  `%s`
    Replaced by ``-no match-`', ``-no prefix-`', or an empty string if there is no completion matching the word on the line, if the matches have no common prefix different from the word on the line, or if there is such a common prefix, respectively.

  `%u`
    Replaced by the unambiguous part of all matches, if there is any, and if it is different from the word on the line.

  Like ``break-keys`', this uses the ``:incremental`' context.

`stop-keys`
  This style is used by the `incremental-complete-word` widget. Its value is treated similarly to the one for the `break-keys` style (and uses the same context: ``:incremental`'). However, in this case all keys matching the pattern given as its value will stop incremental completion and will then execute their usual function.

`toggle`
  This boolean style is used by `predict-on` and its related widgets in the context ``:predict`'. If set to one of the standard `true' values, predictive typing is automatically toggled off in situations where it is unlikely to be useful, such as when editing a multi-line buffer or after moving into the middle of a line and then deleting a character. The default is to leave prediction turned on until an explicit call to `predict-off`.

`verbose`
  This boolean style is used by `predict-on` and its related widgets in the context ``:predict`'. If set to one of the standard `true' values, these widgets display a message below the prompt when the predictive state is toggled. This is most useful in combination with the `toggle` style. The default does not display these messages.

`widget`
  This style is similar to the `command` style: For widget functions that use `zle` to call other widgets, this style can sometimes be used to override the widget which is called. The context for this style is the name of the calling widget (not the name of the calling function, because one function may be bound to multiple widget names).

      zstyle :copy-earlier-word widget smart-insert-last-word

  Check the documentation for the calling widget or function to determine whether the `widget` style is used.

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## 24.5 MIME Functions

Three functions are available to provide handling of files recognised by extension, for example to dispatch a file `text.ps` when executed as a command to an appropriate viewer.

`zsh-mime-setup [-flv]`
`zsh-mime-handler`
  These two functions use the files `~/.mime.types` and `/etc/mime.types`, which associate types and extensions, as well as `~/.mailcap` and `/etc/mailcap` files, which associate types and the programs that handle them. These are provided on many systems with the Multimedia Internet Mail Extensions.

  To enable the system, the function `zsh-mime-setup` should be autoloaded and run. This allows files with extensions to be treated as executable; such files be completed by the function completion system. The function `zsh-mime-handler` should not need to be called by the user.

  The system works by setting up suffix aliases with ``alias -s`'. Suffix aliases already installed by the user will not be overwritten.

  Repeated calls to `zsh-mime-setup` do not override the existing mapping between suffixes and executable files unless the option `-f` is given. Note, however, that this does not override existing suffix aliases assigned to handlers other than `zsh-mime-handler`. Calling `zsh-mime-setup` with the option `-l` lists the existing mappings without altering them. Calling `zsh-mime-setup` with the option `-v` causes verbose output to be shown during the setup operation.

  The system respects the `mailcap` flags `needsterminal` and `copiousoutput`, see man page mailcap(4).

  The functions use the following styles, which are defined with the `zstyle` builtin command (21.31 The zsh/zutil Module). They should be defined before `zsh-mime-setup` is run. The contexts used all start with `:mime:`, with additional components in some cases. It is recommended that a trailing `*` (suitably quoted) be appended to style patterns in case the system is extended in future. Some examples are given below.

  mime-types
    A list of files in the format of `~/.mime.types` and `/etc/mime.types` to be read during setup, replacing the default list which consists of those two files. The context is `:mime:`. A `+` in the list will be replaced by the default files.

  mailcap
    A list of files in the format of `~/.mailcap` and `/etc/mailcap` to be read during setup, replacing the default list which consists of those two files. The context is `:mime:`. A `+` in the list will be replaced by the default files.

  handler
    Specifies a handler for a suffix; the suffix is given by the context as `:mime:.`suffix`:`, and the format of the handler is exactly that in `mailcap`. Note in particular the ``.`' and trailing colon to distinguish this use of the context. This overrides any handler specified by the `mailcap` files. If the handler requires a terminal, the `flags` style should be set to include the word `needsterminal`, or if the output is to be displayed through a pager (but not if the handler is itself a pager), it should include `copiousoutput`.

  flags
    Defines flags to go with a handler; the context is as for the `handler` style, and the format is as for the flags in `mailcap`.

  pager
    If set, will be used instead of `$PAGER` or `more` to handle suffixes where the `copiousoutput` flag is set. The context is as for `handler`, i.e. `:mime:.`suffix`:` for handling a file with the given suffix.

  Examples:

      zstyle ':mime:*' mailcap ~/.mailcap /usr/local/etc/mailcap
      zstyle ':mime:.txt:' handler less %s
      zstyle ':mime:.txt:' flags needsterminal

  When `zsh-mime-setup` is subsequently run, it will look for `mailcap` entries in the two files given. Files of suffix `.txt` will be handled by running ``less` file.txt'. The flag `needsterminal` is set to show that this program must run attached to a terminal.

  As there are several steps to dispatching a command, the following should be checked if attempting to execute a file by extension `.`ext does not have the expected effect.

    The command ``alias -s` ext' should show ``ps=zsh-mime-handler`'. If it shows something else, another suffix alias was already installed and was not overwritten. If it shows nothing, no handler was installed: this is most likely because no handler was found in the `.mime.types` and `mailcap` combination for `.ext` files. In that case, appropriate handling should be added to `~/.mime.types` and `mailcap`.

    If the extension is handled by `zsh-mime-handler` but the file is not opened correctly, either the handler defined for the type is incorrect, or the flags associated with it are in appropriate. Running `zsh-mime-setup -l` will show the handler and, if there are any, the flags. A `%s` in the handler is replaced by the file (suitably quoted if necessary). Check that the handler program listed lists and can be run in the way shown. Also check that the flags `needsterminal` or `copiousoutput` are set if the handler needs to be run under a terminal; the second flag is used if the output should be sent to a pager. An example of a suitable `mailcap` entry for such a program is:

        text/html; /usr/bin/lynx '%s'; needsterminal

`pick-web-browser`
  This function is separate from the two MIME functions described above and can be assigned directly to a suffix:

      autoload -U pick-web-browser
      alias -s html=pick-web-browser

  It is provided as an intelligent front end to dispatch a web browser. It will check if an X Windows display is available, and if so if there is already a browser running which can accept a remote connection. In that case, the file will be displayed in that browser; you should check explicitly if it has appeared in the running browser's window. Otherwise, it will start a new browser according to a builtin set of preferences.

  Alternatively, `pick-web-browser` can be run as a zsh script.

  Two styles are available to customize the choice of browsers: `x-browsers` when running under the X Windows System, and `tty-browsers` otherwise. These are arrays in decreasing order of preference consiting of the command name under which to start the browser. They are looked up in the context `:mime:` (which may be extended in future, so appending ``*`' is recommended). For example,

      zstyle ':mime:*' x-browsers opera konqueror netscape

  specifies that `pick-web-browser` should first look for a runing instance of Opera, Konqueror or Netscape, in that order, and if it fails to find any should attempt to start Opera.

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## 24.6 Other Functions

There are a large number of helpful functions in the `Functions/Misc` directory of the zsh distribution. Most are very simple and do not require documentation here, but a few are worthy of special mention.

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### 24.6.1 Descriptions

`colors`
  This function initializes several associative arrays to map color names to (and from) the ANSI standard eight-color terminal codes. These are used by the prompt theme system (24.3 Prompt Themes). You seldom should need to run `colors` more than once.

  The eight base colors are: black, red, green, yellow, blue, magenta, cyan, and white. Each of these has codes for foreground and background. In addition there are eight intensity attributes: bold, faint, standout, underline, blink, reverse, and conceal. Finally, there are six codes used to negate attributes: none (reset all attributes to the defaults), normal (neither bold nor faint), no-standout, no-underline, no-blink, and no-reverse.

  Some terminals do not support all combinations of colors and intensities.

  The associative arrays are:

  color
  colour
    Map all the color names to their integer codes, and integer codes to the color names. The eight base names map to the foreground color codes, as do names prefixed with ``fg-`', such as ``fg-red`'. Names prefixed with ``bg-`', such as ``bg-blue`', refer to the background codes. The reverse mapping from code to color yields base name for foreground codes and the `bg-` form for backgrounds.

    Although it is a misnomer to call them `colors', these arrays also map the other fourteen attributes from names to codes and codes to names.

  fg
  fg_bold
  fg_no_bold
    Map the eight basic color names to ANSI terminal escape sequences that set the corresponding foreground text properties. The `fg` sequences change the color without changing the eight intensity attributes.

  bg
  bg_bold
  bg_no_bold
    Map the eight basic color names to ANSI terminal escape sequences that set the corresponding background properties. The `bg` sequences change the color without changing the eight intensity attributes.

  In addition, the scalar parameters `reset_color` and `bold_color` are set to the ANSI terminal escapes that turn off all attributes and turn on bold intensity, respectively.

`fned` name
  Same as `zed -f`. This function does not appear in the zsh distribution, but can be created by linking `zed` to the name `fned` in some directory in your `fpath`.

`is-at-least` needed [ present ]
  Perform a greater-than-or-equal-to comparison of two strings having the format of a zsh version number; that is, a string of numbers and text with segments separated by dots or dashes. If the present string is not provided, `$ZSH_VERSION` is used. Segments are paired left-to-right in the two strings with leading non-number parts ignored. If one string has fewer segments than the other, the missing segments are considered zero.

  This is useful in startup files to set options and other state that are not available in all versions of zsh.

      is-at-least 3.1.6-15 && setopt NO_GLOBAL_RCS
      is-at-least 3.1.0 && setopt HIST_REDUCE_BLANKS
      is-at-least 2.6-17 || print "You can't use is-at-least here."

`nslookup` [ arg ... ]
  This wrapper function for the `nslookup` command requires the `zsh/zpty` module (see 21.29 The zsh/zpty Module). It behaves exactly like the standard `nslookup` except that it provides customizable prompts (including a right-side prompt) and completion of nslookup commands, host names, etc. (if you use the function-based completion system). Completion styles may be set with the context prefix ``:completion:nslookup`'.

  See also the `pager`, `prompt` and `rprompt` styles below.

`run-help`
  See `Accessing On-Line Help' (24.2 Utilities).

`tetris`
  Zsh was once accused of not being as complete as Emacs, because it lacked a Tetris game. This function was written to refute this vicious slander.

  This function must be used as a ZLE widget:

      autoload -U tetris
      zle -N tetris
      bindkey keys tetris

  To start a game, execute the widget by typing the keys. Whatever command line you were editing disappears temporarily, and your keymap is also temporarily replaced by the Tetris control keys. The previous editor state is restored when you quit the game (by pressing ``q`') or when you lose.

  If you quit in the middle of a game, the next invocation of the `tetris` widget will continue where you left off. If you lost, it will start a new game.

`zargs` [ option ... `-``-` ] [ input ... ] [ `-``-` command [ arg ... ] ]
  This function works like GNU xargs, except that instead of reading lines of arguments from the standard input, it takes them from the command line. This is useful because zsh, especially with recursive glob operators, often can construct a command line for a shell function that is longer than can be accepted by an external command.

  The option list represents options of the `zargs` command itself, which are the same as those of `xargs`. The input list is the collection of strings (often file names) that become the arguments of the `command`, analogous to the standard input of `xargs`. Finally, the arg list consists of those arguments (usually options) that are passed to the command each time it runs. The arg list precedes the elements from the `input` list in each run. If no command is provided, then no arg list may be provided, and in that event the default command is ``print`' with arguments ``-r -``-`'.

  For example, to get a long `ls` listing of all plain files in the current directory or its subdirectories:

      autoload -U zargs
      zargs -- **/*(.) -- ls -l

  Note that ``-``-`' is used both to mark the end of the option list and to mark the end of the input list, so it must appear twice whenever the input list may be empty. If there is guaranteed to be at least one input and the first input does not begin with a ``-`', then the first ``-``-`' may be omitted.

  In the event that the string ``-``-`' is or may be an input, the `-e` option may be used to change the end-of-inputs marker. Note that this does not change the end-of-options marker. For example, to use ``..`' as the marker:

      zargs -e.. -- **/*(.) .. ls -l

  This is a good choice in that example because no plain file can be named ``..`', but the best end-marker depends on the circumstances.

  For details of the other `zargs` options, see man page xargs(1) or run `zargs` with the `-``-help` option.

`zcalc` [ expression ... ]
  A reasonably powerful calculator based on zsh's arithmetic evaluation facility. The syntax is similar to that of formulae in most programming languages; see 10. Arithmetic Evaluation for details. The mathematical library `zsh/mathfunc` will be loaded if it is available; see 21.13 The zsh/mathfunc Module. The mathematical functions correspond to the raw system libraries, so trigonometric functions are evaluated using radians, and so on.

  Each line typed is evaluated as an expression. The prompt shows a number, which corresponds to a positional parameter where the result of that calculation is stored. For example, the result of the calculation on the line preceded by ``4>` ' is available as `$4`. Full command line editing, including the history of previous calculations, is available; the history is saved in the file `~/.zcalc_history`. To exit, enter a blank line or type ``q`' on its own.

  If arguments are given to `zcalc` on start up, they are used to prime the first few positional parameters. A visual indication of this is given when the calculator starts.

  The constants `PI` (3.14159...) and `E` (2.71828...) are provided. Parameter assignment is possible, but note that all parameters will be put into the global namespace.

  An extra facility is provided for changing the default output base. Use, for example, ``[#16]`' to display hexadecimal output preceded by an indication of the base, or ``[##16]`' just to display the raw number in the given base. Bases themselves are always specified in decimal. ``[#]`' restores the normal output format.

  The output base can be initialised by passing the option ``-#`base', for example ``zcalc -#16`' (the ``#`' may have to be quoted, depending on the globbing options set).

  The prompt is configurable via the parameter `ZCALCPROMPT`, which undergoes standard prompt expansion. The index of the current entry is stored locally in the first element of the array `psvar`, which can be referred to in `ZCALCPROMPT` as ``%1v`'. The default prompt is ``%1v>` '.

  See the comments in the function for a few extra tips.

`zed` [ `-f` ] name
`zed -b`
  This function uses the ZLE editor to edit a file or function.

  Only one name argument is allowed. If the `-f` option is given, the name is taken to be that of a function; if the function is marked for autoloading, `zed` searches for it in the `fpath` and loads it. Note that functions edited this way are installed into the current shell, but not written back to the autoload file.

  Without `-f`, name is the path name of the file to edit, which need not exist; it is created on write, if necessary.

  While editing, the function sets the main keymap to `zed` and the vi command keymap to `zed-vicmd`. These will be copied from the existing `main` and `vicmd` keymaps if they do not exist the first time `zed` is run. They can be used to provide special key bindings used only in zed.

  If it creates the keymap, `zed` rebinds the return key to insert a line break and ``^X^W`' to accept the edit in the `zed` keymap, and binds ``ZZ`' to accept the edit in the `zed-vicmd` keymap.

  The bindings alone can be installed by running ``zed -b`'. This is suitable for putting into a startup file. Note that, if rerun, this will overwrite the existing `zed` and `zed-vicmd` keymaps.

  Completion is available, and styles may be set with the context prefix ``:completion:zed`'.

  A zle widget `zed-set-file-name` is available. This can be called by name from within zed using ``\ex zed-set-file-name`' (note, however, that because of zed's rebindings you will have to type `^j` at the end instead of the return key), or can be bound to a key in either of the `zed` or `zed-vicmd` keymaps after ``zed -b`' has been run. When the widget is called, it prompts for a new name for the file being edited. When zed exits the file will be written under that name and the original file will be left alone. The widget has no effect with ``zed -f`'.

  While `zed-set-file-name` is running, zed uses the keymap `zed-normal-keymap`, which is linked from the main keymap in effect at the time zed initialised its bindings. (This is to make the return key operate normally.) The result is that if the main keymap has been changed, the widget won't notice. This is not a concern for most users.

`zcp` [ `-finqQvwW` ] srcpat dest
`zln` [ `-finqQsvwW` ] srcpat dest
  Same as `zmv -C` and `zmv -L`, respectively. These functions do not appear in the zsh distribution, but can be created by linking `zmv` to the names `zcp` and `zln` in some directory in your `fpath`.

`zkbd`
  See `Keyboard Definition' (24.2 Utilities).

`zmv` [ `-finqQsvwW` ] [ -C | -L | -M | -p program ] [ -o optstring ] srcpat dest
  Move (usually, rename) files matching the pattern srcpat to corresponding files having names of the form given by dest, where srcpat contains parentheses surrounding patterns which will be replaced in turn by $1, $2, ... in dest. For example,

      zmv '(*).lis' '$1.txt'

  renames ``foo.lis`' to ``foo.txt`', ``my.old.stuff.lis`' to ``my.old.stuff.txt`', and so on.

  The pattern is always treated as an `EXTENDED_GLOB` pattern. Any file whose name is not changed by the substitution is simply ignored. Any error (a substitution resulted in an empty string, two substitutions gave the same result, the destination was an existing regular file and `-f` was not given) causes the entire function to abort without doing anything.

  Options:

  `-f`
    Force overwriting of destination files. Not currently passed down to the `mv`/`cp`/`ln` command due to vagaries of implementations (but you can use `-o-f` to do that).
  `-i`
    Interactive: show each line to be executed and ask the user whether to execute it. `Y' or `y' will execute it, anything else will skip it. Note that you just need to type one character.
  `-n`
    No execution: print what would happen, but don't do it.
  `-q`
    Turn bare glob qualifiers off: now assumed by default, so this has no effect.
  `-Q`
    Force bare glob qualifiers on. Don't turn this on unless you are actually using glob qualifiers in a pattern.
  `-s`
    Symbolic, passed down to `ln`; only works with `-L`.
  `-v`
    Verbose: print each command as it's being executed.
  `-w`
    Pick out wildcard parts of the pattern, as described above, and implicitly add parentheses for referring to them.
  `-W`
    Just like `-w`, with the addition of turning wildcards in the replacement pattern into sequential ${1} .. ${N} references.
  `-C`
  `-L`
  `-M`
    Force `cp`, `ln` or `mv`, respectively, regardless of the name of the function.
  `-p` program
    Call program instead of `cp`, `ln` or `mv`. Whatever it does, it should at least understand the form

        program -- oldname newname

    where oldname and newname are filenames generated by `zmv`.
  `-o` optstring
    The optstring is split into words and passed down verbatim to the `cp`, `ln` or `mv` command called to perform the work. It should probably begin with a ``-`'.

  For more complete examples and other implementation details, see the `zmv` source file, usually located in one of the directories named in your `fpath`, or in `Functions/Misc/zmv` in the zsh distribution.

`zrecompile`
  See `Recompiling Functions' (24.2 Utilities).

`zstyle+` context style value [ + subcontext style value ... ]
  This makes defining styles a bit simpler by using a single ``+`' as a special token that allows you to append a context name to the previously used context name. Like this:

      zstyle+ ':foo:bar' style1 value1 \
            + ':baz'     style2 value2 \
            + ':frob'    style3 value3

  This defines `style1' with `value1' for the context `:foo:bar` as usual, but it also defines `style2' with `value2' for the context `:foo:bar:baz` and `style3' with `value3' for `:foo:bar:frob`. Any subcontext may be the empty string to re-use the first context unchanged.

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### 24.6.2 Styles

`insert-tab`
  The `zed` function sets this style in context ``:completion:zed:*`' to turn off completion when `TAB` is typed at the beginning of a line. You may override this by setting your own value for this context and style.

`pager`
  The `nslookup` function looks up this style in the context ``:nslookup`' to determine the program used to display output that does not fit on a single screen.

`prompt`
`rprompt`
  The `nslookup` function looks up this style in the context ``:nslookup`' to set the prompt and the right-side prompt, respectively. The usual expansions for the `PS1` and `RPS1` parameters may be used (see 12. Prompt Expansion).

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This document was generated by Peter Stephenson on April, 6 2005 using texi2html