# Bash Git Prompt on Ubuntu 24.04 Server
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Install Bash Git Prompt on Ubuntu 24.04 server.
> **Note**
> Safe for production use. This tool only modifies your shell prompt and does not change system services.
---
## Why this installer exists
Most Bash Git prompts out there are bloated. You have to install oh-my-zsh, oh-my-bash, or some other framework that drags in far more than you need.
This project is the opposite: a fast, lightweight Git status prompt based purely on Bash and Git’s own built-in commands.
No frameworks, no plugins, no bloat.
---
## What this installer does
✔ Shows current Git branch and live repo status
✔ Supports **five clean themes** switchable in real time
✔ Displays staged, changed, untracked, stashed, and remote state
✔ Indicates clean/dirty status immediately
✔ Lets you customise PS1 inside/outside Git repos centrally
✔ Works seamlessly over SSH
✔ Includes an **optional** Nerd Font installer
---
## What this installer does *NOT* do
It won’t stop you from running the script without reading the documentation like there’s no tomorrow.
Skip the README, and whatever happens next is your headache, not a bug report.
---
### Prerequisites
Requires **DejaVuSansMono Nerd Font Mono** for proper symbol display like shown below.
---
### Prompt Structure
The default prompt layout is:
```plaintext
```
Example output:
---
### Installation
Clone the repository:
```
git clone https://git.x-files.dk/bash/bash-git-prompt.git ~/.bash-git-prompt
```
Install fonts:
```
cd ~/.bash-git-prompt
./install-fonts.sh
```
---
## Important note about fonts (SSH users take notice)
The Git prompt uses Nerd Font symbols, but:
**You only need Nerd Fonts installed on your local machine.**
Your terminal emulator on your laptop/workstation renders the symbols — not the server.
If you SSH into the server, the prompt will display correctly **as long as your local terminal already has the Nerd Font installed**.
If you are installing this on a remote server, you can safely skip the font installer.
---
## Make it happen
Add the following to your .bashrc file:
```
# Git Prompt Start
if [ -f "$HOME/.bash-git-prompt/bash-git-prompt" ]; then
export GIT_PROMPT_THEME=1
source "$HOME/.bash-git-prompt/bash-git-prompt"
fi
# Git Prompt Stop
```
Reload your environment:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```
---
### Switching Themes
Change themes dynamically with:
```
gpchange
```
Example:
```
gpchange 3
```
This updates the theme instantly for your current session.
---
### Changing PS1
The script has been structured so modifying your PS1 is now simple and centralized.
To change the PS1 **inside a Git repository**, modify:
```
#
# PS1 custom for all themes inside a git repository
#
local PS1_CUSTOM='\[\e[0;32m\]\u@\h\[\e[0m\]'
```
To change the PS1 **outside a Git repository**, modify:
```
#
# PS1 custom for all themes outside a git repository
#
PS1='\[\e[0;32m\]\u@\h\[\e[0m\]:\[\e[38;5;178m\]\w\[\e[0m\] '"${PROMPT_CHAR} "
```
---
### Available Themes
Preview of all five themes (clean and dirty shown together for comparison):
Branch → Staged → Changed → Untracked → Stashed → Ahead → Behind → No-Remote → Conflict → Dirty → Clean
---
### Terminal Font Setup
Set your terminal to use:
```
DejaVuSansMono Nerd Font Mono
```
---
### Troubleshooting
**Symbols not showing correctly:**
Make sure your terminal uses *DejaVuSansMono Nerd Font Mono*.
Restart your terminal after installing fonts.
Log out and back in after installing fonts.
**Prompt not loading:**
Verify these lines exist and are correct in `~/.bashrc`:
```
# Git Prompt Start
if [ -f "$HOME/.bash-git-prompt/bash-git-prompt" ]; then
export GIT_PROMPT_THEME=1
source "$HOME/.bash-git-prompt/bash-git-prompt"
fi
# Git Prompt Stop
```
---
### FAQ
**Q:** Does this replace my default prompt entirely?
**A:** No — the Git-aware segment only appears when your current directory is inside a **Git repository**.
**Q:** Can I create my own theme?
**A:** Absolutely. Each theme is defined in the script under `set_git_prompt_theme_icons()`.
You can modify or extend it, then set your new theme using `export GIT_PROMPT_THEME=`.
**Q:** Does it slow down Git-heavy directories?
**A:** Negligibly. The script uses optimized Git calls and caches status checks for performance.
---
### More Information
More guides and documentation can be found on [wiki.x-files.dk](https://wiki.x-files.dk)
---
### License
Licensed under the [MIT License](./LICENSE).
---