). Ensure you add both or uncheck "Match case" in the Xshell settings. for specific Cisco protocols like
For power users, manually entering rules through the GUI can be slow. Xshell allows you to import a .hls file, which is a text file defining your Highlight Sets. This is perfect for sharing configurations across a team or backing up your work.
Once the rules are saved, go back to the main properties window:
Answer: Try exact matching of regular expressions. The following keyword in the "keyword to highlight" field would work. \bDOWN\b. netsarang.atlassian.net Highlight Sets Settings xshell highlight sets cisco
—critical information can easily be lost in a sea of white-on-black text By using Highlight Sets, engineers can: Isolate Statuses : Instantly spot words like err-disable by coloring them bright red Identify Infrastructure : Highlight IP addresses, interface names (e.g., GigabitEthernet ), and VLAN IDs in distinct colors like green or blue Focus on Logic : Distinguish between negation commands (e.g.,
Don't want to type the above patterns manually? You can leverage community resources to import ready-made configurations. Xsession highlight configurations are typically stored in files. You can often find "Cisco" or "Network" specific .hls or .ini files shared by other engineers on GitHub or technical forums.
I can provide the exact regex patterns or color suggestions for your setup. Share public link Xshell allows you to import a
Here’s a concise write-up on setting up configurations.
Right-click your Cisco device session (or the root folder containing all your Cisco sessions) and select . In the Properties window, click on the Appearance category. Locate the Highlight Set drop-down menu. Select your custom Cisco_IOS set. Click OK to save and apply the changes. Advanced Pro-Tips for Cisco Power Users
Click to save. Your terminal will now instantly paint incoming strings with your chosen colors. Advanced RegEx Patterns for Cisco Infrastructure The following keyword in the "keyword to highlight"
| | Regex Pattern | What It Matches | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Red, Bold | \bDOWN\b | Exact match for the word "DOWN" | | Orange, Bold, Italic | \b(ADMINISTRATIVELY DOWN|SHUTDOWN)\b | Administratively disabled interfaces | | Green, Bold | \b(up|UP)\b | Operational interfaces |
Here are three high-utility RegEx strings to add to your Xshell Cisco highlight set: Match Interface Naming Conventions
If you want to quickly locate physical interfaces in a dense configuration snippet, use a case-insensitive regex that identifies common slot/port configurations:
By creating custom highlight sets for Cisco IOS, you can automatically colorize IP addresses, interface statuses, error messages, and specific command keywords. This visual optimization dramatically improves troubleshooting speed and reduces human error. Why You Need Highlight Sets for Cisco Administration
. This allows the engineer to maintain a consistent color language across different network platforms. Strategic Value in Network Operations