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This guide covers installing essential PowerShell modules and configuring your PowerShell environment for an enhanced command-line experience.

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Set Execution Policy

PowerShell’s execution policy must be set to allow script execution. This is required for running your profile and modules.
1

Check current execution policy

Get-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser
2

Set execution policy to RemoteSigned

This allows local scripts to run while requiring signed remote scripts:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force
3

Verify the change

Get-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser
Should output: RemoteSigned
The RemoteSigned policy allows you to run scripts you’ve written locally while protecting against unsigned scripts from the internet.

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Install PowerShell Modules

1

Install PSReadLine

PSReadLine provides enhanced command-line editing with features like syntax highlighting and history search.
Install-Module -Name PSReadLine -Force -SkipPublisherCheck
PSReadLine is usually pre-installed, but updating to the latest version ensures you have all recent features.
2

Install PSFzf

PSFzf integrates the fzf fuzzy finder with PowerShell for interactive history and file search.
Install-Module -Name PSFzf -Force
See the PSFzf GitHub repository for more details.
3

Install Terminal-Icons

Terminal-Icons adds file and folder icons to your terminal directory listings.
Install-Module -Name Terminal-Icons -Force
See the Terminal-Icons installation guide for more information.

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Verify Module Installation

Check that all modules are installed correctly: 
# List installed modules
$modules = @('PSReadLine', 'PSFzf', 'Terminal-Icons')

foreach ($module in $modules) {
    if (Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name $module) {
        Write-Host "[OK] $module" -ForegroundColor Green
    } else {
        Write-Host "[MISSING] $module" -ForegroundColor Red
    }
}

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Configure PowerShell Profile

1

Create PowerShell configuration directory

New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "$HOME\.config\powershell\conf.d" -Force
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "$HOME\.config\powershell\functions" -Force
2

Set up PowerShell profile path

Create or edit your PowerShell profile to load custom configurations:
# Create profile if it doesn't exist
New-Item -Path $PROFILE -ItemType File -Force
Open the profile for editing:
notepad $PROFILE
3

Add profile configuration loader

Add the following to your $PROFILE file:
# Load user configuration from .config/powershell
. $env:USERPROFILE\.config\powershell\user_profile.ps1
This approach keeps your configuration modular and organized in the .config directory, similar to Unix-like systems.

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Configure PSReadLine

PSReadLine enhances your command-line editing experience with history search and predictive IntelliSense. Create a configuration file at $HOME\.config\powershell\conf.d\00-init.ps1: 
# PSReadLine Configuration
if (Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name PSReadLine) {
    Import-Module PSReadLine

    # History search with arrow keys
    Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key UpArrow -Function HistorySearchBackward
    Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key DownArrow -Function HistorySearchForward

    # Predictive IntelliSense
    Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionSource HistoryAndPlugin
    Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionViewStyle ListView

    # Better history
    Set-PSReadLineOption -HistorySearchCursorMovesToEnd
    Set-PSReadLineOption -MaximumHistoryCount 10000
    
    # Colors for predictions
    Set-PSReadLineOption -Colors @{
        Prediction = '#505050'
        InlinePrediction = '#505050'
    }
}
With these settings, you can start typing a command and use the Up/Down arrows to search through your history for matching commands.

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Configure Terminal-Icons

Enable Terminal-Icons in your configuration: 
# Terminal Icons Configuration
if (Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name Terminal-Icons) {
    Import-Module Terminal-Icons
}
Add this to your $HOME\.config\powershell\conf.d\00-init.ps1 file.

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Configure PSFzf

Set up PSFzf for fuzzy finding integration: Create or add to $HOME\.config\powershell\conf.d\30-tools.ps1: 
# PSFzf Integration
if (Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name PSFzf) {
    Import-Module PSFzf
    
    # Set keybindings
    # Ctrl+T: File picker
    # Ctrl+R: History search
    Set-PsFzfOption -PSReadlineChordProvider 'Ctrl+t' -PSReadlineChordReverseHistory 'Ctrl+r'
    
    # Enable Alt+C for directory navigation
    Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key Alt+c -ScriptBlock {
        $result = fd --type d --hidden --follow --exclude .git | fzf
        if ($result) {
            Set-Location $result
            [Microsoft.PowerShell.PSConsoleReadLine]::InvokePrompt()
        }
    }
}
PSFzf provides keyboard shortcuts:
  • Ctrl+R: Search command history
  • Ctrl+T: Search files in current directory
  • Alt+C: Change to a directory using fuzzy search

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Test Your Configuration

1

Reload your PowerShell profile

. $PROFILE
Or simply restart PowerShell.
2

Test PSReadLine history search

Type a partial command and press the Up arrow. You should see matching commands from your history.
3

Test PSFzf keybindings

  • Press Ctrl+R to open fuzzy history search
  • Press Ctrl+T to open fuzzy file finder
  • Press Alt+C to open fuzzy directory navigator
4

Test Terminal-Icons

# List files - you should see icons next to file names
Get-ChildItem

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Verify Complete Installation

Run a comprehensive verification: 
# Check execution policy
Write-Host "Execution Policy: " -NoNewline
Get-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser

# Check modules
Write-Host "`nPowerShell Modules:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
$modules = @('PSReadLine', 'PSFzf', 'Terminal-Icons')
foreach ($module in $modules) {
    $version = (Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name $module | Select-Object -First 1).Version
    if ($version) {
        Write-Host "  [OK] $module (v$version)" -ForegroundColor Green
    } else {
        Write-Host "  [MISSING] $module" -ForegroundColor Red
    }
}

# Check profile exists
Write-Host "`nProfile Configuration:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
if (Test-Path $PROFILE) {
    Write-Host "  [OK] Profile exists at: $PROFILE" -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
    Write-Host "  [WARNING] Profile not found" -ForegroundColor Yellow
}

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Troubleshooting

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PSFzf Not Working

If PSFzf keybindings don’t work: 
# Ensure fzf and fd are installed
Get-Command fzf, fd

# Reinstall PSFzf
Install-Module PSFzf -Force

# Restart PowerShell

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Icons Not Displaying

If Terminal-Icons aren’t showing:
  1. Ensure you’re using a Nerd Font in your terminal
  2. Configure your terminal (WezTerm, Windows Terminal, etc.) to use JetBrainsMono Nerd Font
  3. Restart your terminal after changing fonts

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Scripts Not Running

If you see “running scripts is disabled” errors: 
# Check execution policy
Get-ExecutionPolicy -List

# Set for current user (doesn't require admin)
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force

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Next Steps

Your PowerShell environment is now configured with enhanced editing, history search, and visual improvements:

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