What I got wrong about fast terminals
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A follow-up correction to a previous post about fast terminals. The author acknowledges three key mistakes: using the wrong benchmark (time zsh -i -c exit measures total init rather than perceived startup), overgeneralizing that all plugin managers add overhead (modern static-bundling managers like antidote do not), and recommending zsh-syntax-highlighting despite its per-keystroke re-highlighting lag. The post introduces zsh-bench as a better benchmarking tool, explains the 'instant prompt' technique that makes startup feel near-zero, and highlights zsh-patina as a faster syntax highlighter. The author ultimately reframes their minimal shell preference as being about simplicity and understandability rather than raw speed.
Table of contents
I measured the wrong thing"Plugin managers add overhead" was too broadI recommended the slow syntax highlighterSo what's actually left of the argument?Wrapping up52.8K Impressions1 Comment