> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/tools/community/mariadb-shell/customizing.md).

# Customizing MariaDB Shell

Tailor MariaDB Shell to the way you work: startup scripts, the prompt, persistent configuration options, and the Python module search path.

MariaDB Shell keeps its per-user settings in the user configuration directory, `~/.mariadb-shell` on Linux and macOS and `%AppData%\MariaDB\mariadb-shell` on Windows. You can point the shell to another directory with the `MARIADB_SHELL_USER_CONFIG_HOME` environment variable. For a complete list of the files the shell reads, see [Files and Environment Variables](/docs/tools/community/mariadb-shell/files-and-environment-variables.md).

The pages in this section describe the files and settings that change how the shell behaves for you.

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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/m4XZvECSpBv0UHfYsl1X" %}
[Startup Scripts](/docs/tools/community/mariadb-shell/customizing/startup-scripts.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

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Where the shell looks for `mariadb-shellrc.py`, when the script runs, and what to put in it.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/QmLT1PZowbRTyk0sFy5Q" %}
[Prompt](/docs/tools/community/mariadb-shell/customizing/prompt.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
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The shipped prompt themes, including the Nerd Fonts themes, the prompt variables, and how to write your own theme.
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{% endcolumns %}

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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/PTdNOLrm2yvPbzGwkeMB" %}
[Configuration Options](/docs/tools/community/mariadb-shell/customizing/configuration-options.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

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Every shell option, how to change it for a session or permanently, and which setting wins when several sources set it.
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{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/EK9d9kv30jphiIvxOBsC" %}
[Python Module Search Paths](/docs/tools/community/mariadb-shell/customizing/python-module-search-paths.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

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How the bundled Python interpreter finds modules, and how to add your own modules and third-party packages.
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<sub>*This page is licensed: GPLv2*</sub>