Open the of your specific Cisco session (or edit the Default Session Properties to apply it globally). Go to the Appearance category on the left menu sidebar. Locate the Highlight Set dropdown menu. Select your newly created Cisco_CLI set. Click OK . Backup and Share Your Configuration
You can manually create a .ini file or ask Netsarang community for pre-built sets. Xshell highlight sets are stored in:
: Check Case insensitive for most patterns (e.g., down should match Down and down ).
Visualizing Your Cisco CLI: A Guide to Xshell Highlight Sets
. In high-pressure troubleshooting scenarios, these highlights act as a safety net, ensuring that an engineer's attention is immediately drawn to anomalies—such as a user account highlighted in yellow or a critical log message colored gray to reduce visual noise xshell highlight sets cisco
: Interface types (e.g., GigabitEthernet , Vlan , Tunnel ) and protocol names like BGP or OSPF .
Every highlight set consists of multiple rules. Each rule looks for a keyword or pattern and applies a specific style (foreground color, background color, bold, underline, etc.). You can create multiple sets for different scenarios—one for Cisco configurations, another for log analysis, and a third for Linux administration—and switch between them with a couple of clicks.
These patterns confirm that your protocols, interfaces, and security rules are functioning correctly.
Xshell is one of the most powerful terminal emulators available for network engineers. While many use it simply to open SSH sessions, its most potent troubleshooting feature is . By automatically color-coding your Cisco CLI output in real time, you can turn chaotic terminal logs into an organized, easily readable dashboard. Open the of your specific Cisco session (or
: Click New , name it (e.g., "Cisco_IOS"), and click OK .
Click inside the edit window for each of the following rules: 1. Critical Errors and Down States (Color: Bold Red)
For Cisco network administrators, highlight sets can be a game-changer in several ways:
: Up statuses, active protocols, success messages, and established peers. Select your newly created Cisco_CLI set
: Interface names (e.g., GigabitEthernet , Te0/0/1 ) and switchport commands. Yellow : User accounts, hostnames, or specific warning logs. Pro Tip: Share Your Sets
Name your set something recognizable, such as Cisco_CLI_Colors . Step 3: Add Keywords and Define Styles Click to create a new keyword entry. Enter your target keyword in the Keyword field.
Creating the template is only half the battle; you must tell Xshell to use it during your active terminal sessions. Open your ( Alt + O ).
: Strategic use of soft, contrasting colors prevents fatigue during long maintenance windows. Key Cisco Keywords to Highlight