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Overview

The pm activate command generates shell integration code that enables advanced features like actual directory changes with pm cd and intelligent tab completions for workspace packages.

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Syntax

pm activate <shell>

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Arguments

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shell
string
required
Your shell type: zsh or bash

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Installation

Add to your shell configuration file: 
# Add this line to ~/.zshrc
eval "$(pm activate zsh)"
Then reload your shell: 
# For zsh
source ~/.zshrc

# For bash
source ~/.bashrc
After activation, restart your terminal or source your config file to enable the features.

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What It Enables

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1. Actual Directory Changes

Without activation, pm cd only prints the path: 
# Without activation
pm cd @myapp/web
/path/to/monorepo/apps/web
# (you're still in the same directory)
With activation, it actually changes directories: 
# With activation
pm cd @myapp/web
# (now in /path/to/monorepo/apps/web)

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2. Tab Completions

Complete package names with Tab: 
pm cd <TAB>
# Shows all workspace packages
@myapp/api    @myapp/core    @myapp/web    @myapp/utils

pm cd @myapp/<TAB>
# Completes package names

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3. Command Completions

Complete all pm commands and flags: 
pm <TAB>
add       cd        i         install   link      ls
pls       remove    run       unlink    up        why       x

pm add -<TAB>
-D    # (shows dev dependency flag)

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How It Works

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Shell Wrapper Function

The activation creates a wrapper function that intercepts pm cd commands: From src/commands/activate.ts:6-22: 
pm() {
  if [ "$1" = "cd" ]; then
    shift;
    # Check if any flags are present
    for arg in "$@"; do
      case "$arg" in
        -*) command pm cd "$@"; return;;
      esac;
    done;
    # Get the directory path
    local dir;
    dir=$(command pm cd "$@");
    # If successful and path exists, cd to it
    if [ $? -eq 0 ] && [ -d "$dir" ]; then
      builtin cd "$dir";
    fi;
  else
    command pm "$@";
  fi;
};
This wrapper:
  1. Intercepts pm cd calls
  2. Handles flags by passing through to the command
  3. Gets the directory path from pm cd
  4. Uses shell’s builtin cd to actually change directory
  5. Passes all other commands through normally

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Completion Functions

For zsh, from src/commands/activate.ts:24-34: 
eval "$(command pm --completions zsh)";
if (( $+functions[_pm_zsh_completions] )); then
  functions[_pm_zsh_completions_base]=$functions[_pm_zsh_completions];
  _pm_zsh_completions() {
    if [[ $words[2] == cd ]] && (( CURRENT == 3 )); then
      compadd -- ${(f)"$(command pm cd --completions 2>/dev/null)"};
    else
      _pm_zsh_completions_base "$@";
    fi;
  };
fi;
This:
  1. Loads base completions from pm --completions zsh
  2. Wraps the completion function
  3. For pm cd <TAB>, gets package names from pm cd --completions
  4. For other commands, uses base completions

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Testing Activation

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Verify Installation

Check if the function exists: 
type pm
Output (activated)
pm is a shell function from /Users/you/.zshrc
Output (not activated)
pm is /usr/local/bin/pm

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Test Directory Change

pwd
# /path/to/monorepo

pm cd @myapp/web

pwd
# /path/to/monorepo/apps/web

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Test Completions

pm cd <TAB>
# Should show package names

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Manual Setup

If you prefer not to use eval, save the output: 
pm activate zsh > ~/.pm-integration.zsh
Then source it in ~/.zshrc: 
source ~/.pm-integration.zsh

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Troubleshooting

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Completions Not Working

  1. Reload shell: 
    source ~/.zshrc  # or ~/.bashrc
  2. Check function is loaded: 
    type pm
  3. Verify activation line: 
    grep "pm activate" ~/.zshrc

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Directory Changes Not Working

  1. Verify shell integration: 
    type pm
# Should show "pm is a shell function"
  2. Test without cd: 
    pm --version
# Should still work
  3. Check package exists: 
    pm pls
# Verify package name is correct

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Conflicts with Existing Function

If you have another pm function: 
# Rename the wrapper
eval "$(pm activate zsh | sed 's/^pm()/better_pm()/')"

# Then use:
better_pm cd @myapp/web

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Shell Support

ShellSupportedCompletionscd Integration
zsh✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes
bash✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes
fish⚠️ Partial❌ No❌ No
other⚠️ Basic❌ No❌ No
For fish and other shells, basic command completions may work but cd integration is not supported.

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What Gets Activated

1

Shell Wrapper

Function that intercepts pm cd and uses builtin cd
2

Base Completions

Tab completion for all pm commands and flags
3

Package Completions

Tab completion for workspace package names in pm cd
4

Smart Filtering

Completions filter based on what you’ve typed

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Advanced Usage

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Lazy Loading

For faster shell startup, lazy load activation:
~/.zshrc
# Only load when pm is used
pm() {
  unfunction pm
  eval "$(command pm activate zsh)"
  pm "$@"
}

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Custom Wrapper

Extend the wrapper with your own logic:
~/.zshrc
eval "$(pm activate zsh)"

# Save the original function
functions[_pm_original]=$functions[pm]

# Override with custom logic
pm() {
  echo "Running pm $@"
  _pm_original "$@"
}
  • pm cd - Navigate to workspace packages
  • pm pls - List workspace packages for completion