Development Machine Setup

A comprehensive guide to setting up a modern terminal environment with Alacritty, tmux, zsh, and Neovim.

What's Included

Terminal: Alacritty (GPU-accelerated) or WezTerm (feature-rich)
Shell: Zsh with Oh My Zsh, Powerlevel10k, and plugins
Multiplexer: tmux with useful plugins and layouts
Editor: Neovim with LazyVim
Themes: Separate theme directories (Catppuccin, Dracula, Tokyo Night)

Repository Structure

dev_setup/
├── alacritty.toml      # Base config (theme-free)
├── tmux.conf           # Base config (theme-free)
├── wezterm.lua         # Base config (theme-free)
├── lua/                # Neovim/LazyVim config
│
├── catppuccin-theme/   # Catppuccin theme overlays
│   ├── README.md
│   ├── catppuccin-macchiato.toml  # Alacritty colors
│   ├── tmux-theme.conf
│   ├── colors.lua      # WezTerm colors
│   └── colorscheme.lua # Neovim colorscheme
│
├── dracula-theme/      # Dracula theme overlays
│   ├── README.md
│   ├── dracula.toml
│   ├── tmux-theme.conf
│   ├── colors.lua
│   └── colorscheme.lua
│
└── tokyo-night-theme/  # Tokyo Night theme overlays
    ├── README.md
    ├── tokyo-night.toml
    ├── tmux-theme.conf
    ├── colors.lua
    ├── colorscheme.lua
    └── .p10k.zsh       # Powerlevel10k theme

The base configs are theme-free. Apply a theme by importing/sourcing the overlay files from a theme directory. See each theme's README for instructions.

Steps

Install eza

eza is a modern replacement for ls, used for fzf-tab directory previews

sudo apt install eza    # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install eza    # For Fedora
brew install eza        # For macOS

Install zsh

sudo apt install zsh -y  # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install zsh -y  # For Fedora

macOS already has zsh as the default shell

make zsh your default shell

chsh -s $(which zsh)

Download and install a Nerd Font

JetBrains Mono Nerd Font (recommended)
Fira Code Nerd Font (alternative)

Download from Nerd Fonts

install oh my zsh

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Install Powerlevel10k(optional)

git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-$HOME/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/themes/powerlevel10k

For themed Powerlevel10k, see the theme directories (e.g., tokyo-night-theme/.p10k.zsh).

Install fzf

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/junegunn/fzf.git ~/.fzf
~/.fzf/install

Configure Oh My Zsh

# Theme
ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"

# Enable Oh My Zsh plugins
plugins=(
  git              # Git commands and aliases
  zsh-syntax-highlighting
  zsh-autosuggestions
  zsh-completions
  fzf-tab          # fzf-powered tab completion
  tmux
  fzf
  history          # Enhanced history search
  aliases          # Useful command aliases
)

# Initialize Oh My Zsh
source $ZSH/oh-my-zsh.sh

complete config example exist here

Zsh Syntax Highlighting

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-syntax-highlighting.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-syntax-highlighting

Zsh Autosuggestions

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions

Zsh Completions

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-completions.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-completions

fzf-tab

git clone https://github.com/Aloxaf/fzf-tab.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/fzf-tab

Add Customization to .zshrc

HISTFILE=~/.zsh_history
HISTSIZE=10000
SAVEHIST=10000

setopt appendhistory       # Append history instead of overwriting
setopt sharehistory        # Share history between sessions
setopt incappendhistory    # Save history incrementally
setopt hist_ignore_dups    # Ignore duplicate commands
setopt hist_reduce_blanks  # Remove extra blanks from commands

fzf-tab options

# Enable fzf-tab
source ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/fzf-tab/fzf-tab.plugin.zsh

# Customize fzf-tab behavior
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' fzf-preview ''
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' fzf-multi true

# disable sort when completing `git checkout`
zstyle ':completion:*:git-checkout:*' sort false
# set descriptions format to enable group support
# NOTE: don't use escape sequences (like '%F{red}%d%f') here, fzf-tab will ignore them
zstyle ':completion:*:descriptions' format '[%d]'
# set list-colors to enable filename colorizing
zstyle ':completion:*' list-colors ${(s.:.)LS_COLORS}
# force zsh not to show completion menu, which allows fzf-tab to capture the unambiguous prefix
zstyle ':completion:*' menu no
# preview directory's content with eza when completing cd
zstyle ':fzf-tab:complete:cd:*' fzf-preview 'eza -1 --color=always $realpath'
# custom fzf flags
# NOTE: fzf-tab does not follow FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS by default
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' fzf-flags --color=fg:1,fg+:2 --bind=tab:accept
# To make fzf-tab follow FZF_DEFAULT_OPTS.
# NOTE: This may lead to unexpected behavior since some flags break this plugin. See Aloxaf/fzf-tab#455.
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' use-fzf-default-opts yes
# switch group using `<` and `>`
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' switch-group '<' '>'
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' popup-min-size 120
zstyle ':fzf-tab:*' fzf-command ftb-tmux-popup # only if you have tmux

# tmux command to get basic split window like this
# --------------------
# |            |     |
# |            |-----|
# |            |     |
# --------------------
alias tmuxlayout="tmux split-window -h -l 35%; tmux split-window -v -l 50%;"

Install alacritty

Alacritty is my preferred terminal emulator. Other modern terminals will work too with this setup. Alacritty is built in Rust and is blazingly fast.

sudo apt install alacritty # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install alacritty # for Fedora
brew install alacritty # for Mac OS

copy alacritty.toml file provided here into .config/alacritty/alacritty.toml

To apply a theme, copy the color file from a theme directory (e.g., dracula-theme/dracula.toml) to ~/.config/alacritty/ and add the import line to your config.

Install WezTerm

WezTerm is a powerful, cross-platform terminal emulator with built-in multiplexing, GPU-acceleration, and extensive Lua configuration. A great alternative to Alacritty + tmux.

Download WezTerm

# For macOS
brew install --cask wezterm

# For Debian/Ubuntu
curl -fsSL https://apt.fury.io/wez/gpg.key | sudo gpg --yes --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/wezterm-fury.gpg
echo 'deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/wezterm-fury.gpg] https://apt.fury.io/wez/ * *' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wezterm.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wezterm

# For Fedora
sudo dnf copr enable wezfurlong/wezterm-nightly
sudo dnf install wezterm

copy wezterm.lua file provided here to ~/.wezterm.lua or ~/.config/wezterm/wezterm.lua

To apply a theme, copy colors.lua from a theme directory to ~/.config/wezterm/ and add the require line to your config.

install tmux

sudo apt install tmux # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install tmux # For Fedora
brew install tmux # For macOS

copy tmux.conf file provided here into .config/tmux/tmux.conf

To apply a theme, copy tmux-theme.conf from a theme directory to ~/.config/tmux/themes/ and source it in your config.

tpm(tmux package manager)

git clone https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm ~/.tmux/plugins/tpm

then do ctrl + b (tmux prefix) + I(capital I)

install neovim

sudo apt install neovim # For Debian/Ubuntu !important: in ubuntu use snap store for installation for better versioning
sudo dnf install neovim # For Fedora !important: in fedora use flatpack for installation for better versioning
brew install neovim # For Mac OS

install LazyVim

LazyVim is bootstraping package install package manager and some necessary packages and configurations you can read about it in lazyvim website

pre requisite

fzf: fzf (v0.25.1 or greater)
live grep: ripgrep
find files: fd

git clone https://github.com/LazyVim/starter ~/.config/nvim
rm -rf ~/.config/nvim/.git

copy lua folder to .config/nvim

after LazyVim you can add your packages and customize options so easily list of great packages to install and one i usually have with brief description is in the nvim-extra-detailed file

Setup Neovim keybinding for VSCode

if you prefer to have vim keybinding in your vscode for training or having advantage of faster workflow

Install vim extension by vscodevim for your vscode

Add vim extension extra settings provided in neovim-lazyvim-vscode-settings.txt to your vscode settings file

Git Configuration

copy gitconfig file provided here to ~/.gitconfig (or merge with existing)

Includes useful aliases:

git hist  # Beautiful colored git log with graph

Also configures VSCode as the default diff and merge tool.

Themes

Theme files are organized in separate directories:

catppuccin-theme/ - Soothing pastel theme (Macchiato flavour)
dracula-theme/ - Dark theme with purple accents
tokyo-night-theme/ - Dark theme inspired by Tokyo city lights

Each theme directory contains:

Color palette files for Alacritty and WezTerm
tmux theme configuration
Neovim colorscheme configuration
README with installation instructions

See each theme's README for detailed setup instructions.

tmux Keybindings

The default prefix key is Ctrl+b. Here are the essential keybindings:

WezTerm Users: The WezTerm multiplexer uses the same Ctrl+b leader key and identical keybindings as tmux. WezTerm also adds:

Alt + 1-9 - Quick tab switching (no leader needed)

Alt + n/p - Quick next/previous tab

Leader + F1-F8 - Layout presets (see WezTerm Layout Presets)

Custom Keybindings (changed from defaults)

Keybinding	Action	Default
`prefix` + `\|`	Split window horizontally (side by side)	`prefix` + `%`
`prefix` + `-`	Split window vertically (top/bottom)	`prefix` + `"`
`prefix` + `r`	Reload tmux config	-

Essential Default Keybindings

Keybinding	Action
`prefix` + `c`	Create new window
`prefix` + `n`	Next window
`prefix` + `p`	Previous window
`prefix` + `0-9`	Switch to window by number
`prefix` + `w`	List windows
`prefix` + `d`	Detach from session
`prefix` + `x`	Kill current pane
`prefix` + `z`	Toggle pane zoom (fullscreen)
`prefix` + `arrow keys`	Navigate between panes
`prefix` + `I`	Install TPM plugins

Vim-tmux Navigator (plugin)

Seamless navigation between tmux panes and vim splits:

Keybinding	Action
`Ctrl+h`	Move to left pane/split
`Ctrl+j`	Move to pane/split below
`Ctrl+k`	Move to pane/split above
`Ctrl+l`	Move to right pane/split

tmux Layout Aliases

The zshrc includes several tmux layout aliases for quick workspace setup. Add these to your .zshrc:

`tlay-focus` - Focus Layout

Best for focused coding with a log/output panel on the right.

┌────────────────┬────────┐
│                │        │
│     Main       ├────────┤
│    (code)      │        │
│                │ logs/  │
└────────────────┴────────┘

Large main pane on the left (65%)
Two stacked panes on the right (35%)
Right panes split 70/30 vertically

`tlay-grid` - 2x2 Grid Layout

Equal quadrants for monitoring multiple processes or comparing files.

┌─────────┬─────────┐
│    1    │    2    │
├─────────┼─────────┤
│    3    │    4    │
└─────────┴─────────┘

Four equal panes
Great for running tests, servers, logs, and coding simultaneously

`tlay-wide` - Wide Layout

Top-heavy layout for code with split bottom for commands/logs.

┌───────────────────┐
│                   │
│    Main (code)    │
├─────────┬─────────┤
│  shell  │  logs   │
└─────────┴─────────┘

Wide top pane (50%)
Two equal bottom panes

`tlay-v55` - Vertical 55/45 Split

Simple two-pane vertical split for side-by-side work.

┌───────────┬─────────┐
│           │         │
│    55%    │   45%   │
│           │         │
└───────────┴─────────┘

Left pane slightly larger
Good for code + terminal or code comparison

`tlay-mobile` - Mobile Development Layout

Multi-window setup optimized for mobile app development.

Window 1: claude.ai   - AI assistant / documentation
Window 2: nvim        - Code editor
Window 3: testing     - Test runner
Window 4: services    - Docker/services (split horizontally)

Creates 4 separate windows
Services window has horizontal split for multiple services
Starts on window 1

`tlay-desk` - Desktop Development Layout

Compact layout for desktop/web development.

Window 1 (code):
┌────────────────┬────────┐
│                │        │
│     Main       ├────────┤
│    (code)      │ term   │
└────────────────┴────────┘

Window 2 (services):
┌─────────┬─────────┐
│ docker  │  logs   │
└─────────┴─────────┘

Main code window with focus layout (65/35 split)
Separate services window with horizontal split
Starts on code window

`tlay-reset` - Reset Layout

Kills all panes and windows except the current one. Use to start fresh.

`vact` - Activate Virtual Environment

Quick alias to activate Python virtual environment:

vact  # equivalent to: source .venv/bin/activate

WezTerm Layout Presets

WezTerm includes the same layout presets as the tmux aliases above, accessible via Leader + F1-F8:

Keybinding	Layout	Description
`Leader + F1`	focus	Main left pane with two stacked right panes
`Leader + F2`	grid	2x2 equal quadrants
`Leader + F3`	wide	Wide top pane with split bottom
`Leader + F4`	55/45	Simple vertical 55/45 split
`Leader + F5`	mobile	4 windows: ai, nvim, term, services
`Leader + F6`	desk	Focus layout + services window
`Leader + F7`	nvim	Code layout + services window
`Leader + F8`	reset	Close all panes/tabs except current

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 39 Commits
catppuccin-theme		catppuccin-theme
dracula-theme		dracula-theme
lua		lua
tokyo-night-theme		tokyo-night-theme
.DS_Store		.DS_Store
CHANGELOG.md		CHANGELOG.md
README.md		README.md
alacritty.toml		alacritty.toml
dev-setup.MD		dev-setup.MD
gitconfig		gitconfig
neovim-lazyvim-vscode-settings.txt		neovim-lazyvim-vscode-settings.txt
nvim-extra-detailed.txt		nvim-extra-detailed.txt
tmux.conf		tmux.conf
wezterm.lua		wezterm.lua
zshrc-example		zshrc-example

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Development Machine Setup

What's Included

Repository Structure

Table of Contents

Steps

Install eza

Install zsh

make zsh your default shell

Download and install a Nerd Font

install oh my zsh

Install Powerlevel10k(optional)

Install fzf

Configure Oh My Zsh

Zsh Syntax Highlighting

Zsh Autosuggestions

Zsh Completions

fzf-tab

Add Customization to .zshrc

fzf-tab options

Install alacritty

Install WezTerm

install tmux

tpm(tmux package manager)

install neovim

install LazyVim

Setup Neovim keybinding for VSCode

Git Configuration

Themes

tmux Keybindings

Custom Keybindings (changed from defaults)

Essential Default Keybindings

Vim-tmux Navigator (plugin)

tmux Layout Aliases

tlay-focus - Focus Layout

tlay-grid - 2x2 Grid Layout

tlay-wide - Wide Layout

tlay-v55 - Vertical 55/45 Split

tlay-mobile - Mobile Development Layout

tlay-desk - Desktop Development Layout

tlay-reset - Reset Layout

vact - Activate Virtual Environment

WezTerm Layout Presets

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