Fig vs zsh-autosuggestions
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A repository of command-line completion specs that add IDE-style suggestions to your terminal.
Open source · MIT
Shows gray command suggestions from your history as you type in zsh.
The short answer
Choose Fig if you need…
- macOS developers who use zsh, bash or fish and want suggestions for common CLIs
- Developers who want to write or fix completion specs for a tool they use
- Contributors who want to add missing subcommands or options to existing specs
Choose zsh-autosuggestions if you need…
- People who use zsh as their daily terminal shell
- Users who often repeat long or complex commands
- Anyone who wants Fish-style suggestions without switching shells
Side-by-side
| Fig | zsh-autosuggestions | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Other | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 25.2k | 36.2k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Clone and build from source | See the README |
| Main language | TypeScript | Shell |
| Last code update | 18 months ago | 17 months ago |
What each one is
Fig
This repository holds declarative completion specs describing the subcommands, options and arguments of many popular command-line tools such as git, npm, docker and aws. The README says these specs power autocomplete suggestions in the terminal, and that the completions are now provided by Amazon Q Developer CLI, formerly Fig. Developers use it to get contextual suggestions as they type commands in their shell.
zsh-autosuggestions
zsh-autosuggestions is a plugin for the zsh shell that suggests commands while you type, based on your command history and tab completions. The suggestion appears after the cursor in muted gray, and you can accept it with a key press. It is inspired by the autosuggestion feature of the Fish shell.
Best for
Fig
- macOS developers who use zsh, bash or fish and want suggestions for common CLIs
- Developers who want to write or fix completion specs for a tool they use
- Contributors who want to add missing subcommands or options to existing specs
zsh-autosuggestions
- People who use zsh as their daily terminal shell
- Users who often repeat long or complex commands
- Anyone who wants Fish-style suggestions without switching shells
Strengths
Fig
- Covers hundreds of popular CLIs according to the README
- Specs are plain TypeScript files that are easy to read and edit
- Active contributor community, with the README citing 400+ contributors
zsh-autosuggestions
- Simple, focused behavior that fits into existing zsh setups
- Configurable suggestion sources, colors, and key bindings
- Widely used, with an MIT license and active repository activity
Not ideal for
Fig
- Linux or Windows users, since the README says Amazon Q for command line is macOS-only for now and Linux/Windows support is still in progress
- People who want a standalone project to run without the Amazon Q app, since the README ties the completions to that app
- Anyone looking for a self-contained library to install from a package manager, since the README describes this repo mainly as a spec collection
zsh-autosuggestions
- Users of bash, Fish, or other shells, since it only works with zsh (requires zsh v4.3.11 or later)
- People who prefer no visual changes to their prompt or terminal display
Trade-offs
Fig
- The README states it is macOS-only for now, with Linux and Windows still in progress
- Completions depend on the Amazon Q Developer CLI app, so the setup is tied to AWS's product
- The README's latest-release and last-push information suggests the repo is not updated frequently, and the README itself is focused on Amazon Q
zsh-autosuggestions
- Only works with zsh, not other shells
- Some terminal color settings, such as certain iTerm2 setups, can make suggestions invisible, per the README
- Suggestion quality depends on your history and configured strategy
Getting started
Fig
Install Amazon Q on macOS via Homebrew
brew install amazon-qClone your fork of the repo
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_GITHUB_USERNAME/autocomplete.git autocompleteFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Fig and zsh-autosuggestions?
Fig: A repository of command-line completion specs that add IDE-style suggestions to your terminal. zsh-autosuggestions: Shows gray command suggestions from your history as you type in zsh. Fig suits macos developers who use zsh, bash or fish and want suggestions for common clis, while zsh-autosuggestions suits people who use zsh as their daily terminal shell.
Are Fig and zsh-autosuggestions free?
Fig: Free and open source. zsh-autosuggestions: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Fig or zsh-autosuggestions?
zsh-autosuggestions is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Fig is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Fig or zsh-autosuggestions more popular?
zsh-autosuggestions has more GitHub stars (36.2k) than Fig (25.2k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.