When working with Git, it’s easy to lose track of which branch you’re on — especially when managing multiple projects. Displaying the current branch directly in your terminal prompt helps prevent mistakes like committing to the wrong branch.

This guide shows how to set up Git branch info in your terminal across macOS (zsh), Linux (bash), and Windows (PowerShell).

macOS (zsh)

By default, macOS uses zsh as its shell.

1. Edit Your zshrc

nano ~/.zshrc

2. Add Git Prompt Support

For Homebrew on Apple Silicon (M1/M2):

source /opt/homebrew/etc/bash_completion.d/git-prompt.sh

For the official Git installer:

# source /usr/local/git/contrib/completion/git-prompt.sh

3. Helper Function

function git_prompt_info() {
    __git_ps1 " (%s)"
}

4. Customize Prompt

setopt PROMPT_SUBST

PROMPT="%{%F{green}%}%n@%m %{%F{yellow}%}%c %{%F{red}%}$(git_prompt_info)%f %{%F{blue}%}%# %{%F{white}%}"

5. Reload

source ~/.zshrc

Result:

username@MacBook repo-name (main) %

Linux (bash)

Most Linux distributions default to bash, which uses PS1 to control the prompt.

1. Locate git-prompt.sh

It’s usually installed with Git in /usr/share/git/ or /etc/bash_completion.d/. Confirm with:

locate git-prompt.sh

Common path:

/usr/share/git/git-prompt.sh

2. Edit bashrc

Open ~/.bashrc:

nano ~/.bashrc

Add:

source /usr/share/git/git-prompt.sh

3. Update PS1

Modify PS1 to include __git_ps1:

export PS1="\u@\h:\w\[\033[31m\]$(__git_ps1 ' (%s)')\[\033[00m\]\$ "

• \u → username
• \h → host
• \w → working directory
• __git_ps1 ' (%s)' → Git branch in parentheses

4. Apply Changes

source ~/.bashrc

Result:

me@linuxbox:~/projects/myapp (main)$

Windows (PowerShell)

For Windows, use posh-git.

1. Install posh-git

Install-Module posh-git -Scope CurrentUser

2. Import Module

Import-Module posh-git

3. Add to Profile

notepad $PROFILE

Add:

Import-Module posh-git

4. Restart PowerShell

Result:

PS C:\Users\me\Projects\my-app [main +1 ~2 -0]>

Final Notes

• macOS (zsh) → flexible, can use Oh My Zsh themes.
• Linux (bash) → works with stock Git tools, highly customizable.
• Windows (PowerShell) → posh-git gives branch + status info.
• For a universal solution, try Starship (works on zsh, bash, and PowerShell).