Detached mode

Build a custom Zsh prompt from NBSP_DATA while nobsprompt handles non-spawning foreground collection, asynchronous refresh, and redraw.

Detached mode turns nbsp into a prompt-data backend for Zsh. It retains the non-spawning foreground collector, asynchronous Git refresh, command timing, job tracking, redraw requests, and external command editing. Your code owns PROMPT and RPROMPT.

Initialize detached mode in ~/.zshrc:

eval "$(nbsp init zsh --detached --autosuggest)"

The first prompt mode initialized in a shell wins. node_version is derived from the value of NVM_BIN at each collection, so it follows later NVM_BIN changes as well as the value present during initialization. Omit --autosuggest when another ghost-text plugin is already active.

Start from the real template

The shipped opinionated prompt is ordinary detached-style Zsh. Read the full commented file in Opinionated prompt and adapt it. The minimal example below is only a sketch; the opinionated file is the complete educational layout (quoting, git markers, duration, jobs, status).

eval "$(nbsp init zsh --detached --autosuggest)"

minimal_prompt() {
  local path branch=

  nbsp_prompt_quote "${NBSP_DATA[path]}"
  path=$REPLY

  if [[ ${NBSP_DATA[git_present]} == 1 && -n ${NBSP_DATA[git_branch]} ]]; then
    nbsp_prompt_quote "${NBSP_DATA[git_branch]}"
    branch=" [$REPLY]"
  fi

  PROMPT="${path}${branch} %# "
}

nbsp_data_update_functions+=(minimal_prompt)
minimal_prompt

The final call prepares a prompt before the first precmd data load. The registered callback rebuilds it after every later successful, complete data frame parse, including reloads requested when an asynchronous Git worker finishes. A callback can therefore run even when the values did not change.

Ownership boundary

Detached mode does not inspect, splice, or restore your prompt strings.

Your prompt code owns:

• colors and glyphs;
• one-line, multiline, and right-side layout;
• segment visibility and duration thresholds;
• PROMPT_SUBST;
• terminal title and other OSC wrappers.

The backend owns:

• collecting prompt facts without starting Git or Node in the foreground;
• command timing and job count;
• asynchronous Git refresh;
• complete-frame NBSP_DATA replacement;
• update callbacks and ZLE redraw requests;
• external command editing.