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Hilbish

Free#18 of 27 in Command-Line Shells

Hilbish: A free, open-source shell for Lua users who want flexible input modes and customization. Ranked #18 of 27 in Command-Line Shells by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for lua users who want a customizable cross-platform shell.

6.9/10Editor score
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Hilbish6.9 Visit Hilbish

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.9 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Lua users who want a customizable cross-platform shell
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Command completion
    Yes
  • Facts checked
    28 Sep 2026

  • Where it wins

    • Combines Lua and shell input, with hybrid, shell-only, Lua-only, and custom runners.
    • Offers contextual completion, syntax highlighting, history search, and Vim mode.
    • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and supports LuaRocks and pure-Lua libraries.

  • Where it doesn't

    • Windows functionality may be incomplete in recent versions.
    • Lua configuration may not suit users who prefer another scripting language.
    • Support is through documentation and the community.

Our verdict on Hilbish

Hilbish is an open-source interactive command-line shell configured and scripted in Lua. Its hybrid input lets users combine Lua and shell commands, while separate shell-only, Lua-only, and custom runner modes offer other ways to handle commands. Customizable prompts and keybindings, aliases, and background-job notifications round out its shell features. It is aimed at solo users and small teams, particularly Lua users who want a configurable shell across Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Hilbish’s main distinction is how deeply Lua is part of the shell experience: it is used for configuration and scripting, and the shell supports LuaRocks and pure-Lua libraries. That makes it a natural fit for users who want Lua in their command-line workflow, rather than only a way to customize appearance or keybindings. Its interactive features include contextual tab completion with grid and list layouts, syntax highlighting, history search, Vim mode, and a visual history menu. Users seeking a shell centered on a different scripting language may find this focus less suitable.

Installation options include official binaries, Linux package repositories, and compiling from source; documentation covers Linux, macOS, and Windows. However, the project warns that Windows functionality may be incomplete in recent versions, so Windows users should weigh that caveat before choosing it. Support is through documentation and the community. Hilbish is a good fit for Lua users willing to configure their shell and consult community resources; those who need a more complete Windows experience or prefer a different scripting environment should consider another shell.

Hilbish pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on hilbish.sammyette.party

Hilbish fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Supported platformsLinux, macOS, Windows
Scripting languageLua
Package managerYes
Config file supportYes
Command completionYes
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows
SupportDocs, Community
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websitehilbish.sammyette.party
Facts checked28 Sep 2026

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — Hilbish 6.9/10

Hilbish is listed in our Command-Line Shells directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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