boehm.sh/content/posts/zsh-displacement-fix.md
2024-07-13 23:47:30 +02:00

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+++ title = 'How to fix ZSH cursor displacement on Linux' description = 'Simple step by step guide to fixing your ZSH displacing when connecting to a remote server via SSH' date = 2024-07-06T07:07:07+01:00 draft = false categories = [ "Open-Source", "ZSH", "Linux"] tags = ["tutorial", "locale", "shell", "zshell", "terminal", "SSH", "issue"] +++

Recently, I encountered an issue with my ZSH configuration where the cursor was displaced, making it difficult to use the terminal effectively. After some troubleshooting, I found a simple solution that involved setting the language locale on my Linux system. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you fix this issue if you run into it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix ZSH Cursor Displacement

Step 1: Set the Locale

First, you need to set the language locale to en_US.UTF8. This can be done using the set-locale command:

set-locale LANG=en_US.UTF8

This command sets the system's language to English (United States) with UTF-8 encoding, which is essential for proper character display and cursor positioning in the terminal.

Step 2: Enable the Locale in /etc/locale.gen

Before setting the locale, you need to ensure that it is enabled in the /etc/locale.gen file. Open this file in your preferred text editor (you'll need superuser permissions to edit it):

sudo nano /etc/locale.gen

Look for the line that contains en_US.UTF8 and make sure it is uncommented (remove the # at the beginning of the line). It should look like this: en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8

Step 3: Generate the Locale

After enabling the locale in /etc/locale.gen, you need to generate it. This can be done by running the locale-gen command with superuser permissions:

sudo locale-gen

This command generates the locale data, making it available for use on your system.

Final Thoughts

After completing these steps, your ZSH cursor displacement issue should be resolved. These changes ensure that your terminal can correctly handle and display characters, which is crucial for the proper functioning of ZSH.

By setting the language locale and ensuring it's enabled and generated, you can avoid issues with cursor displacement and improve your overall terminal experience. If you have any questions or run into any problems, feel free to contact me. Happy coding!


I hope this guide helps you fix any ZSH cursor displacement issues you encounter. If you found this post useful, consider sharing it with others who might benefit from it.