# PowerShell — Cross-Platform Automation Shell from Microsoft

> PowerShell is a cross-platform task automation solution consisting of a command-line shell, a scripting language, and a configuration management framework that runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

## Install

Save the content below to `.claude/skills/` or append to your `CLAUDE.md`:

# PowerShell — Cross-Platform Automation Shell from Microsoft

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install on Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y powershell

# Install on macOS
brew install powershell/tap/powershell

# Launch
pwsh
```

## Introduction
PowerShell is an open-source, cross-platform shell and scripting language built on .NET. Originally a Windows-only tool, it now runs natively on Linux and macOS, making it a unified automation platform for managing heterogeneous environments from a single language.

## What PowerShell Does
- Provides a full-featured interactive shell with tab completion, history, and predictive IntelliSense
- Executes scripts (.ps1) for task automation, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure provisioning
- Manages cloud resources across Azure, AWS, and GCP through dedicated modules
- Outputs structured objects instead of plain text, enabling pipeline composition without parsing
- Supports remote management of machines via SSH or WinRM remoting

## Architecture Overview
PowerShell runs on top of .NET (Core or Framework). Each command (cmdlet) is a compiled .NET class that emits objects into the pipeline. The pipeline passes typed objects between cmdlets, eliminating the need for text parsing. A module system allows packaging cmdlets, functions, and DSC resources for distribution via the PowerShell Gallery.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install from the official Microsoft repos, Homebrew, or download binaries from the GitHub releases page
- User profile lives at `$PROFILE`; customize prompt, aliases, and module imports there
- Use `Install-Module` to add community or first-party modules from the PowerShell Gallery
- Configure execution policies with `Set-ExecutionPolicy` to control script trust levels
- Integrate with VS Code via the PowerShell extension for debugging, linting, and IntelliSense

## Key Features
- Object-oriented pipeline that passes .NET objects, not raw strings
- Cross-platform: identical scripts run on Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Built-in remoting for managing fleets of machines over SSH or WinRM
- Desired State Configuration (DSC) for declarative infrastructure management
- Extensible module ecosystem with thousands of packages on the PowerShell Gallery

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Bash** — text-based pipeline, ubiquitous on Unix but lacks structured object output
- **Zsh** — richer interactive features than Bash, but still string-oriented
- **Python** — general-purpose scripting with broader library ecosystem, but not a native shell
- **Nushell** — modern structured-data shell inspired by PowerShell, smaller ecosystem
- **Fish** — user-friendly shell with autosuggestions, but limited scripting capabilities

## FAQ
**Q: Does PowerShell replace Bash on Linux?**
A: It can, but most Linux users run it alongside Bash for tasks that benefit from structured data and .NET integration.

**Q: Is PowerShell only for Windows administration?**
A: No. Since PowerShell 7 it is fully cross-platform and used for cloud automation, CI/CD, and general scripting on any OS.

**Q: How do I manage dependencies between modules?**
A: The PowerShell Gallery and `Install-Module` handle dependency resolution automatically, similar to package managers like pip or npm.

**Q: Can PowerShell call native system commands?**
A: Yes. Native executables run normally inside PowerShell, and their stdout can be captured as strings or piped into cmdlets.

## Sources
- https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/powershell-cross-platform-automation-shell-microsoft-d7a6fb8a
Author: Script Depot