How to change user's default shell in Linux

Linux is a versatile and powerful operating system that provides users with the ability to customize their computing environment according to their preferences. One such customization is the choice of the login shell, which is the command interpreter that executes commands entered by the user. Some popular shells include Bash, Zsh, and Fish, each with its unique set of features and capabilities.

Changing your login shell can enhance your productivity and user experience by providing new features, syntax, and keyboard shortcuts. The process of changing the login shell is quite simple and can be done through the command line or by editing configuration files.

In this step-by-step guide, we will outline how to change your login shell in Linux. We will demonstrate the process using the command line, which is the most straightforward approach. Additionally, we will provide sample code for each step, making it easy to follow along and execute the commands.

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Check your current login shell by running the command.

   echo $SHELL

3. List available shells on your system with the command.

   cat /etc/shells

4. Choose your desired shell from the list, for example: /bin/zsh.
5. Ensure the chosen shell is installed by running the command.

   sudo apt install zsh

6. Change your login shell using the chsh command.

   chsh -s /bin/zsh

7. Close the terminal window.
8. Open a new terminal window to confirm the shell change.
9. Verify the new login shell with the command.

   echo $SHELL