Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Oil Shell

Free#19 of 27 in Command-Line Shells

Oil Shell: A free Linux shell pairing POSIX/Bash-compatible OSH with typed-data support in YSH. Ranked #19 of 27 in Command-Line Shells by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users exploring POSIX-compatible and typed shells.

6.8/10Editor score
Visit Oils
Oil Shell6.8 Visit Oils

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.8 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Linux users exploring POSIX-compatible and typed shells
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Command completion
    Yes
  • Facts checked
    28 Sep 2026

  • Where it wins

    • OSH accepts command-line usage compatible with POSIX sh and Bash
    • YSH adds Python-like expressions and typed data
    • Shell startup configuration and Bash-completion compatibility are supported

  • Where it doesn't

    • Platform listing is limited to Linux
    • Documentation describes downloading and building from source
    • Its OSH/YSH approach may not suit users seeking only a familiar shell

Our verdict on Oil Shell

Oil Shell, now branded Oils, is a Unix command-line shell project for people who run shell commands or write scripts and want to explore two related languages. OSH is designed for compatibility with POSIX shell and Bash, while YSH provides Python-like expressions and Ruby-like command blocks. The published project information identifies Linux as its supported platform, and describes Oils as self-hosted software. Its free availability makes it worth considering for Linux users who are interested in a shell that combines familiar command use with a newer scripting language.

The distinction between OSH and YSH is the central choice. OSH accepts command-line usage compatible with POSIX sh and Bash, and the project also provides shell builtins and standard library functions. YSH adds expressions and typed data, giving script authors a different set of language features to explore. Startup configuration files and command completion builtins are supported, including compatibility with Bash-completion. That makes the project relevant to users who want to keep conventional shell command workflows while investigating more structured scripting, rather than replace command-line work with a graphical tool.

Documentation describes downloading and building the software from source, so the onboarding path may be less convenient for people who expect a package-manager installation. The project lists community and documentation support, and self-hosted deployment suits people comfortable managing their own shell environment. Linux users willing to build from source and learn OSH or YSH are the clearest fit; users who need a broadly listed platform choice or a familiar shell without a language transition should consider alternatives. Oils is best approached as an exploration of compatible shell use alongside a distinct scripting language.

Oil Shell pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on oilshell.org

Oil Shell fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Supported platformsLinux
Scripting languageYSH (Oil language); OSH (POSIX/Bash-compatible shell language)
Package managerNo
Config file supportYes
Command completionYes
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsLinux
SupportCommunity, Docs
Built forSolo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websiteoilshell.org
Facts checked28 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Oil Shell

See all Oil Shell alternatives →

Used Oil Shell? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Oil Shell for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Your rating

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — Oil Shell 6.8/10

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

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/oil-shell/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/oil-shell.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Last updated · How we research and update