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⚙️ Unique ID

z-shell/zsh-unique-id

This plugin provides a unique number that identifies a running Z shell session, in its shell variable $ZUID_ID. Besides this unique number, also a unique codename is provided, in the shell variable $ZUID_CODENAME. Once you load this plugin, the two parameters will be set, and their values will not be available to other Zshell sessions (being thus unique). $ZUID_ID is a progressing number starting from 1. $ZUID_CODENAME is chosen from a list of predefined codenames, see the default list below. An example use case is to hold logs in files .../mylog-${ZUID_CODENAME}.log so that two different Z shells will not write to the same file at the same time.

Default code names are:

  • atlantis (for ZUID_ID == 1)
  • echelon (for ZUID_ID == 2)
  • quantum (for ZUID_ID == 3 and etc.)
  • ion
  • proxima
  • polaris
  • solar
  • momentum
  • hyper
  • gloom
  • velocity
  • future
  • enigma
  • andromeda
  • saturn
  • jupiter
  • aslan
  • commodore
  • falcon
  • persepolis
  • dharma
  • samsara
  • prodigy
  • ethereal
  • epiphany
  • aurora
  • oblivion

Zstyle configuration allows to customize the codenames:

zstyle :plugin:zuid codenames paper metal wood plastic # first 4 shells will have those codenames

Install Zsh Unique ID

Unpack zsh-unique-id to the chosen location and add to .zshrc:

~/.zshrc
source {where-zsh-unique-id-is}/zsh-unique-id.plugin.zsh

Sourcing is recommended, because it can be done early, at top of zshrc, without a plugin manager – to acquire the unique identification as early as possible.