{"id":6388,"date":"2019-01-10T11:59:27","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T16:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jdhitsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=6388"},"modified":"2019-01-23T16:22:14","modified_gmt":"2019-01-23T21:22:14","slug":"maximizing-my-prompt-in-powershell-core","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jdhitsolutions.com\/blog\/powershell\/6388\/maximizing-my-prompt-in-powershell-core\/","title":{"rendered":"Maximizing My Prompt in PowerShell Core"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I wrote about my intention<\/a> to make PowerShell Core, running on Windows 10, my \"daily driver\". I've also written recently about using the PowerShell prompt function<\/a> to provide a wide range of information. So I decided to combine the two, plus mix in some functionality from my other PowerShell tools, to create a PowerShell console with everything at my fingertips. I'm going to walk you through the process of duplicating the prompt, although you may elect to skip certain features. Along the way I'll point out what modules you'll need to install from the PowerShell Gallery. These projects are all on GitHub as well so you can check them out before installing. The code for my PowerShell prompt function is admittedly complex and if you want to customize it, you'll need some PowerShell scripting experience. Or perhaps you want to duplicate my experience . In either case, let's dig in.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

My Daily PowerShell<\/h2>\n

Before I go through the steps I thought you might like to see the finished product.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a><\/p>\n

The display shows the computer name with the current date and time. A list of upcoming events, a calendar with highlighted event days and some system information: uptime, percent free space on C:, percent free memory and the total number of running processes. I should point out that the finished prompt will also run on Windows PowerShell. I just happen to be using it with PowerShell Core. Still interested? You'll need to set up some additional tools.<\/p>\n

MyTickle<\/h2>\n

I have a module that I use to keep track of upcoming events like phone calls, meetings or other items I want to make sure I don't forget. This module provides a tickler system to help me remember. You can read all about it on the GitHub repository<\/a>. This module will require some sort of SQL Server backend. I recommend you install the free SQL Server Express<\/a> edition. Install using the default settings so that the instance name is SQLExpress. That is the path of least resistance to use this module. Otherwise, read through the help to see how to customize. Use the c:<\/strong> command to set it up.<\/p>\n

You can then use Add-TickleEvent<\/a> to define some reminders. My prompt function will display events due in the next 10 days. Those that are due in a day or less will be displayed in red. If it is due in 48 hours it will be displayed in yellow otherwise the reminder shows in green. Events due in the next 30 days will be used to populate the calendar.<\/p>\n

PSCalendar<\/h2>\n

Next you'll need my PSCalendar<\/a> module, at least version 1.5.0. The Show-Calendar<\/a> command will be used within the function to display a colorized month. Tickle events for the next 30 days are used as highlight dates for the calendar. Of course the module has other calendar commands you might like to use.<\/p>\n

Customizing the PowerShell Core Window<\/h2>\n

I'm going to assume you've already downloaded and installed PowerShell Core on your Windows desktop. You can use my PSReleaseTools<\/a> module to make this an easier process.<\/p>\n

get-psreleaseasset -Family Windows -Only64Bit | where format -eq msi | \nSave-PSReleaseAsset -Path C:\\PS6 -Passthru | foreach { invoke-item $_.fullname}\n<\/pre>\n
Once installed, launch PowerShell Core. I tend to always run it in an elevated session but I work at home and don't have a critical production network to worry about.\u00a0 I modified my\u00a0 Window to increase the font size (24) , font (Consolas), window\/buffer size (120x35) and set opacity (75%). I kept the default color scheme. You can set all of these things in the system settings.<\/p>\n
\"Setting<\/a><\/p>\n
The Prompt Function<\/h2>\n
The last piece of the puzzle is the prompt function itself. I have put the complete prompt function on Github<\/a>.<\/p>\n