Setting Up the Ultimate Creative Workstation on Ubuntu

Ubuntu is undoubtedly one of the most popular and versatile Linux distributions. Whether you’re a graphic designer, web developer, or programmer, Ubuntu can serve as a reliable and robust foundation for your work environment. With just a few tweaks and installations, you can transform Ubuntu into a sleek, powerful production machine that’s ready for any creative or development task.

While many new users gravitate toward Ubuntu for its user-friendly interface and ease of installation, what really sets it apart is how quickly it can be tailored to meet specific needs. A few tweaks here and there—like setting a custom wallpaper, installing Dash to Panel, tweaking browser settings, and adjusting a few GNOME settings—and you’ve got a workstation that works for you, not the other way around.

But today, I’m going to take my setup even further by configuring Ubuntu with the elegant ZSH shell and the highly customizable Powerlevel10k prompt, all without creating unnecessary clutter in your home directory. Let’s dive in.

Why ZSH?

If you’ve been using the default Bash shell for a while, it’s time to give ZSH (Z shell) a try. ZSH is a modern, feature-rich shell that makes working in the terminal much more enjoyable. Here are a few reasons why ZSH is a great choice for anyone working on Ubuntu:

• Autocompletion: ZSH provides advanced autocompletion for file paths, commands, and even command options.
• Path Navigation: One of my favorite features is the ability to see previously entered paths directly in your prompt. This makes it much easier to navigate between directories without having to constantly retype long paths.
• Customizability: ZSH is highly customizable. You can tweak it to look and behave the way you want, and that’s where Powerlevel10k comes in.
• Plugin Ecosystem: ZSH has an amazing ecosystem of plugins that can enhance your workflow, from Git integration to syntax highlighting.

Now, let’s take a look at how to set up ZSH and Powerlevel10k in Ubuntu, all while keeping your system clean and tidy.

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Setting Up ZSH and Powerlevel10k on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s start by installing ZSH and Powerlevel10k from scratch on Ubuntu. This guide will keep your home directory free of unnecessary clutter by installing everything in /usr/local/share, ensuring a neat and clean setup.

Step 1: Install ZSH

Ubuntu makes installing ZSH a breeze. Open your terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install zsh

Once ZSH is installed, you can set it as your default shell by running:

chsh -s $(which zsh)

You’ll need to log out and log back in for the change to take effect, but it’s totally worth it. ZSH will now be your default shell whenever you open a terminal.

Step 2: Install Oh My Zsh (in a Custom Location)

We’re not going to install Oh My Zsh in the default location, ~/.oh-my-zsh, to keep our home directory clean. Instead, we’ll install it in /usr/local/share/oh-my-zsh.

Run the following command to install Oh My Zsh without cluttering your home directory:

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)" "" --unattended --ZSH=/usr/local/share/oh-my-zsh

This command will download and install Oh My Zsh in the /usr/local/share/oh-my-zsh directory and set everything up automatically. This avoids any unnecessary files or folders in your home directory.

Step 3: Install Powerlevel10k

Now, let’s install Powerlevel10k, a beautiful and highly customizable ZSH theme that makes your terminal look stunning.

Clone the Powerlevel10k repository into the appropriate directory:

sudo git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k.git /usr/local/share/oh-my-zsh/custom/themes/powerlevel10k

This will place Powerlevel10k in /usr/local/share/oh-my-zsh/custom/themes/, keeping everything organized and clean.

Step 4: Configure ZSH to Use Powerlevel10k

To make Powerlevel10k your default theme, edit your ~/.zshrc file:

nano ~/.zshrc

Find the ZSH_THEME line and change it to:

ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"

Save the file (CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter) and then run:

source ~/.zshrc

This will apply the changes.

Step 5: Install Nerd Fonts (for Powerlevel10k Icons)

To make the Powerlevel10k prompt look even better, we need to install a Nerd Font. These fonts include special icons that Powerlevel10k uses.

Install FiraCode Nerd Font by running:

sudo apt install fonts-firacode

After the installation, be sure to select FiraCode Nerd Font as your terminal font (this can usually be done from the terminal preferences menu).

Customizing Powerlevel10k

Now that Powerlevel10k is installed, you can run the configuration wizard to make your terminal look the way you want it:

p10k configure

The wizard will guide you through options for customizing your prompt, including colors, icons, and layout. Choose the options that suit your preferences, and you’ll have a sleek, visually appealing terminal that’s also highly functional.

A Tidy, Professional Setup

With just these simple steps, you’ll have a clean, powerful Ubuntu workstation ready for creative work. By installing ZSH and Powerlevel10k in /usr/local/share, we’ve avoided cluttering your home directory with unnecessary files and folders. This setup is lean, efficient, and looks stunning.

This setup makes Ubuntu a powerhouse for creative work and development. Whether you’re designing in GIMP, building websites, or working on code, this configuration ensures you’re ready to tackle any project.

It’s worth mentioning that Ubuntu often faces criticism for using Snap packages, but as of today, these accusations are baseless. You can easily install GIMP, GNOME Tweaks, browser extensions, and many other software applications from Ubuntu’s Software Center by simply choosing deb instead of snap if you prefer the traditional method of installation.

Ubuntu is incredibly flexible, and with a few minutes of configuration, you’ve got a stunning, professional setup that’s just as functional as it is beautiful. This is the Linux workstation that every creative and developer needs—and it’s ready for anything you throw at it.

Final Thoughts

With ZSH and Powerlevel10k installed, your Ubuntu setup is now sleek, organized, and ready to serve as your productivity workhorse. Whether you’re editing photos, coding, or managing projects, you’ll have a terminal that looks as good as it functions. And remember—this setup keeps everything clean and tidy by installing everything outside your home directory, so you can keep your workspace neat, just like the productive professional you are.

Happy coding, designing, and creating!