Zsh Line Editor (zsh)

## 18 Zsh Line Editor ¶

### 18.1 Description ¶

If the `ZLE` option is set (which it is by default in interactive shells) and the shell input is attached to the terminal, the user is able to edit command lines.

There are two display modes. The first, multiline mode, is the default. It only works if the `TERM` parameter is set to a valid terminal type that can move the cursor up. The second, single line mode, is used if `TERM` is invalid or incapable of moving the cursor up, or if the `SINGLE_LINE_ZLE` option is set. This mode is similar to ksh, and uses no termcap sequences. If `TERM` is "emacs", the `ZLE` option will be unset by default.

The parameters `BAUD`, `COLUMNS`, and `LINES` are also used by the line editor. See Parameters Used By The Shell.

The parameter `zle_highlight` is also used by the line editor; see Character Highlighting. Highlighting of special characters and the region between the cursor and the mark (as set with `set-mark-command` in Emacs mode, or by `visual-mode` in Vi mode) is enabled by default; consult this reference for more information. Irascible conservatives will wish to know that all highlighting may be disabled by the following setting:

    zle_highlight=(none)

In many places, references are made to the `numeric argument`. This can by default be entered in emacs mode by holding the alt key and typing a number, or pressing escape before each digit, and in vi command mode by typing the number before entering a command. Generally the numeric argument causes the next command entered to be repeated the specified number of times, unless otherwise noted below; this is implemented by the `digit-argument` widget. See also Argumentsfor some other ways the numeric argument can be modified.