zgen

zgen command [arguments]

zgen is a lightweight plugin manager for Zsh. It generates a static init script from your plugin configuration, making shell startup fast because plugins don't need to be loaded dynamically each time.The typical workflow:1. Define plugins in .zshrc using zgen commands2. Run zgen save to generate the init script3. Subsequent shell starts load the pre-generated scriptzgen supports Oh My Zsh, Prezto, and any GitHub-hosted Zsh plugin. It handles cloning repositories and sourcing the appropriate files.Configuration example in .zshrc:

oh-my-zsh [pluginortheme]

Load Oh My Zsh or specific component

Load plugin from GitHub repository

Save current configuration to init script

Update all plugins

Delete generated init script (regenerates on next load)

List loaded plugins

Update zgen itself

Clone repository without loading

After changing plugins in .zshrc, run zgen reset and restart the shell to regenerate the init script.zgen development is less active. Consider zinit or sheldon for actively maintained alternatives.Plugin updates require manual zgen update. No automatic update mechanism.

zsh(1), zplug(1), antigen(1)