What is setup-cdk-shell?

The Setup CDK Shell skill provides an automated, comprehensive configuration for a high-performance terminal environment optimized for Claude Code. It streamlines the installation of Zsh, Oh My Zsh, the Powerlevel10k theme, and MesloLGS NF fonts, while integrating custom Claude CLI completions and productivity aliases to maximize developer efficiency and terminal aesthetics.

When should I use setup-cdk-shell?

setup-cdk-shell is useful in the following scenarios: • Initial environment setup: Quickly bootstrapping a professional-grade shell for developers new to the Claude Code ecosystem. • Terminal optimization: Upgrading a standard terminal with advanced features like syntax highlighting, auto-suggestions, and instant-prompt capabilities. • CLI productivity: Enhancing the Claude CLI experience through pre-configured aliases and intelligent command-line completions. • Cross-platform font management: Automating the installation of Nerd Fonts on macOS and Linux to ensure proper icon rendering in modern terminal themes.

name	setup-cdk-shell
description	Use when setting up shell environment for Claude Code - installs zsh, Oh My Zsh, Powerlevel10k theme, MesloLGS NF fonts, Claude CLI completions, and productivity aliases

Setup CDK Shell

Overview

Complete shell environment optimized for Claude Code development. Installs modern zsh setup with fast prompt, nerd fonts, completions, and aliases.

When to Use

Setting up shell for Claude development
User asks about terminal/shell optimization
Part of setup-claude-dev-kit bundle
User wants zsh, powerlevel10k, or nerd fonts

Quick Reference

Component	Location
Oh My Zsh	`~/.oh-my-zsh`
Theme	`~/.oh-my-zsh/custom/themes/powerlevel10k`
Fonts	`~/Library/Fonts/MesloLGS*.ttf` (macOS)
Config	`~/.p10k.zsh`
Completions	`~/.zsh/completions/_claude`

Installation Steps

1. Install Oh My Zsh (if needed)

# Check if installed
if [ ! -d ~/.oh-my-zsh ]; then
  sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)" "" --unattended
fi

2. Install Powerlevel10k

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

# Or update if exists
cd ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-$HOME/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/themes/powerlevel10k && git pull

3. Install MesloLGS NF Fonts

macOS:

# Download fonts
curl -L -o /tmp/MesloLGS_NF_Regular.ttf "https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k-media/raw/master/MesloLGS%20NF%20Regular.ttf"
curl -L -o /tmp/MesloLGS_NF_Bold.ttf "https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k-media/raw/master/MesloLGS%20NF%20Bold.ttf"
curl -L -o /tmp/MesloLGS_NF_Italic.ttf "https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k-media/raw/master/MesloLGS%20NF%20Italic.ttf"
curl -L -o /tmp/MesloLGS_NF_Bold_Italic.ttf "https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k-media/raw/master/MesloLGS%20NF%20Bold%20Italic.ttf"

# Install to user fonts
mkdir -p ~/Library/Fonts
mv /tmp/MesloLGS_NF_*.ttf ~/Library/Fonts/

Linux:

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/fonts
# Same curl commands, then:
mv /tmp/MesloLGS_NF_*.ttf ~/.local/share/fonts/
fc-cache -fv

4. Install Useful Plugins

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

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

5. Configure .zshrc

Add/update in ~/.zshrc:

# At the very top (instant prompt)
if [[ -r "${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/p10k-instant-prompt-${(%):-%n}.zsh" ]]; then
  source "${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/p10k-instant-prompt-${(%):-%n}.zsh"
fi

# Theme
ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"

# Plugins
plugins=(git zsh-autosuggestions zsh-syntax-highlighting)

# At the bottom
[[ -f ~/.p10k.zsh ]] && source ~/.p10k.zsh

6. Install Claude CLI Completions

mkdir -p ~/.zsh/completions

# Generate completions (if claude supports it)
claude --completions zsh > ~/.zsh/completions/_claude 2>/dev/null || true

# Add to .zshrc
echo 'fpath=(~/.zsh/completions $fpath)' >> ~/.zshrc

7. Add Claude Aliases

cat >> ~/.zshrc << 'EOF'

# Claude Dev Kit aliases
alias cc='claude'
alias ccp='claude -p'
alias cch='claude --help'
alias ccv='claude --version'
alias ccc='claude --continue'
alias ccr='claude --resume'
EOF

8. Configure Terminal Font

Terminal.app: Preferences → Profiles → Text → Font → "MesloLGS NF"

iTerm2: Preferences → Profiles → Text → Font → "MesloLGS NF"

VS Code: Add to settings.json:

"terminal.integrated.fontFamily": "MesloLGS NF"

9. Run p10k Configuration

# Interactive wizard
p10k configure

Verification

# Check components
[ -d ~/.oh-my-zsh ] && echo "✓ Oh My Zsh"
[ -d ~/.oh-my-zsh/custom/themes/powerlevel10k ] && echo "✓ Powerlevel10k"
ls ~/Library/Fonts/MesloLGS* 2>/dev/null && echo "✓ Fonts installed"
[ -f ~/.p10k.zsh ] && echo "✓ p10k configured"
command -v claude && echo "✓ Claude CLI"

Adaptation Mode

When existing shell setup detected:

Backup .zshrc:

cp ~/.zshrc ~/.claude-dev-kit/backups/$(date +%Y-%m-%d)/.zshrc.bak

Check for conflicts:

Starship prompt → Ask: keep or try p10k?
Existing theme → Preserve or replace?
Custom plugins → Merge, don't overwrite

Append, don't replace:

echo "# Claude Dev Kit Shell Additions" >> ~/.zshrc

Common Issues

Issue	Fix
Icons show as boxes	Terminal not using MesloLGS NF font
Theme not loading	Check `ZSH_THEME` in .zshrc
Slow prompt	Enable instant prompt at top of .zshrc
Completions not working	Run `compinit` or restart shell

Updating

# Update powerlevel10k
cd ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/themes/powerlevel10k && git pull

# Update plugins
cd ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions && git pull
cd ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-syntax-highlighting && git pull

setup-cdk-shell

When & Why to Use This Skill

Use Cases