Pimp My MATE Terminal

Open MATE Terminal → Edit → Profiles (or right-click titlebar → Profiles → Edit Profiles)

Font: Pick something clean & readable with good ligature support
Recommended: Fira Code, JetBrains Mono, Hack, Cascadia Code (size 11–13)
Colors: Use a nice theme
Popular: Dracula (dark + vibrant), Nord, Gruvbox Dark, Catppuccin (very trendy right now)
Import .theme files online (search "catppuccin mate-terminal" etc.)
Other nice settings:
- Scrollback: Unlimited or at least 10000 lines
- Show menubar: off (for more space)
- Use transparent background: 0.85–0.95 opacity
- Cursor: Block + blinking

Save as a new profile (e.g. "Pimped") and set it as default.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install zsh zsh-syntax-highlighting zsh-autosuggestions git

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

chsh -s $(which zsh)

Log out & back in (or just open a new terminal).

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

In ~/.zshrc, change:

ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"

source ~/.zshrc

The p10k configuration wizard launches automatically.
Pick "Lean" or "Rainbow" style → lots of icons → yes to most features.

If icons look broken (□ or ?), install a Nerd Font (MesloLGS NF, JetBrainsMono NF, FiraCode NF recommended).
→ p10k configure will offer to install one, or download from nerdfonts.com

Edit ~/.zshrc and update the plugins line:

plugins=(
  git
  zsh-autosuggestions     # fish-like gray suggestions
  zsh-syntax-highlighting # colors commands green/red
  # Optional: zsh-completions, z, fzf
)

Bonus tools (optional but 🔥):

sudo apt install eza bat
# zoxide (smart cd)
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
cargo install zoxide
# Add to ~/.zshrc: eval "$(zoxide init zsh)"

sudo apt install fzf

Sexy aliases example:

alias ls='eza --icons --git --group-directories-first'
alias cat='bat --theme="Catppuccin-mocha"'
alias cd='z'

Blazing fast prompt with git branch/status, folder icons, exit code, time, etc.
Syntax highlighting as you type
Gray auto-suggestions (right arrow to accept)
Beautiful colors + icons everywhere

Extras you can add later:

Guake-style drop-down terminal
tmux with nice config
neofetch / fastfetch on startup
Starship prompt as alternative

Screenshot your Jacksonville rig when done 😄