Login Shell Setup

Hash supports proper login shell behavior, loading different startup files depending on how it’s invoked.

Setting Hash as Default Shell

Linux (chsh)

sudo bash -c 'echo "/usr/local/bin/hash-shell" >> /etc/shells'
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/hash-shell

Linux (usermod)

sudo usermod -s /usr/local/bin/hash-shell your_username

macOS

sudo bash -c 'echo "/usr/local/bin/hash-shell" >> /etc/shells'
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/hash-shell

If installed with Homebrew:

sudo bash -c 'echo "$(brew --prefix)/bin/hash-shell" >> /etc/shells'
chsh -s "$(brew --prefix)/bin/hash-shell"

FreeBSD

sudo sh -c 'echo "/usr/local/bin/hash-shell" >> /etc/shells'
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/hash-shell

Note: Log out and log back in for changes to take effect.

Login Shell Detection

Hash considers itself a login shell when:

1. argv[0] starts with - (how SSH/login invoke shells)
2. --login or -l flag is used

Login shells display “(login)” in the welcome message.

Startup File Order

Login Shell

When invoked as a login shell:

1. /etc/profile - System-wide settings
2. User profile (first found):
   • ~/.hash_profile
   • ~/.hash_login
   • ~/.profile
3. ~/.hashrc - Interactive settings

Non-Login Interactive Shell

~/.hashrc only

Configuration Files

~/.hash_profile

User-specific login configuration:

# Environment
export EDITOR=vim
export PAGER=less

# PATH
export PATH=$HOME/bin:$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH

~/.hashrc

Interactive settings:

# Aliases
alias ll='ls -lah'
alias gs='git status'

# Prompt
set PS1='\W\g \e#>\e '

~/.hash_logout

Executed when exiting a login shell:

# Clear screen
clear

# Farewell message
echo "Goodbye! Session ended at $(date)"

# Cleanup
rm -rf ~/tmp/session_* 2>/dev/null

The logout Command

Use logout to exit login shells:

# In a login shell
#> logout
Bye :)

# In a non-login shell
#> logout
hash: logout: not a login shell
# Use 'exit' instead

Best Practices

Separate Concerns

• ~/.hash_profile: Environment variables, PATH
• ~/.hashrc: Aliases, prompt settings
• ~/.hash_logout: Cleanup tasks

Example Setup

~/.hash_profile:

export EDITOR=vim
export GOPATH=$HOME/go
export PATH=$HOME/bin:$GOPATH/bin:$PATH

~/.hashrc:

set PS1='\u@\h:\W\g #> '
alias ll='ls -lah'
set colors=on

~/.hash_logout:

clear
echo "Session ended. Goodbye!"

Testing

# Test as login shell
hash-shell --login

# Check for "(login)" in welcome message
hash v34 (login)
Type 'exit' to quit