Custom prompt and Start-Transcript

PowerShell Help
1

I created a custom prompt using the following:

function prompt {"$(get-date) + >"}

Then I run Start-Transcript to start logging. When I review the transcript the cmdlet I ran does not align with the custom prompt, but rather a new prompt on the line below it. Here is an example:

Transcript started, output file is C:\Users\xxxx\Documents\PowerShell_transcript.DESKTOP-U995LEF.qwCyiDP8.20180420113112.txt
04/20/2018 11:31:12>
PS>get-process powershell

Handles NPM(K) PM(K) WS(K) CPU(s) Id SI ProcessName

692      31    61116      76268       1.36  11236   1 powershell

Without the custom prompt the executed cmdlet is on the same line as the prompt, example:

Transcript started, output file is C:\Users\Jason\Documents\PowerShell_transcript.DESKTOP-U995LEF.yDgSPx+e.20180420120046.txt
PS C:\Temp> get-process powershell

Handles NPM(K) PM(K) WS(K) CPU(s) Id SI ProcessName

747      31    74236      86172       2.03  11236   1 powershell

Is there anyway to use a custom prompt and have start-transcript align the typed commands with the custom prompt?

2

What you are seeing I believe is expected. PS> means you ran a PowerShell cmdlet or set of commands at the prompt you created.

If you start a new transcript, try switching to command prompt by issuing ‘cmd’ and pressing enter. This will change your shell. to go back to powershell you type ‘exit’ and press enter or open a new shell again by typing ‘powershell’ and pressing enter.

Each of these shells will show up in the transcript, followed by whatever command / output goes with that shell.

Now, if you are wanting your prompt to always be displayed, you may want to look at adding that function to your profile.

3

Thanks for the reply. What I would like is my custom prompt and command to be on the same line in the transcript, example:

04/20/2018 11:31:12>get-process powershell

When running powershell with the default prompt this occurs, why would this change with a custom prompt?

4

This makes a little more sense now. Try adding your custom prompt function to your PowerShell profile (should be in Documents\WindowsPowerShell) ‘profile.ps1’. Once you’ve added it, start a new console and you should see your custom prompt immediately. Then use 

Start-Transcript -Path .\transcript.txt
to begin your transcript, followed by whatever cmdlets you want to run. Then 
Stop-Transcript
. Then to view the transcript, simply run 
notepad .\transcript
and you should see your customized prompt lined up how you want it.

Here’s an example from a test I ran:

Configuration Name:
Machine: FTW-12278 (Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.16299.0)
Host Application: C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -noprofile
Process ID: 16964
PSVersion: 5.1.16299.194
PSEdition: Desktop
PSCompatibleVersions: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.1.16299.194
BuildVersion: 10.0.16299.194
CLRVersion: 4.0.30319.42000
WSManStackVersion: 3.0
PSRemotingProtocolVersion: 2.3
SerializationVersion: 1.1.0.1

Transcript started, output file is .\psorg4.txt
PS C:\Users\wkindle\PScripts> Get-Process

Handles NPM(K) PM(K) WS(K) CPU(s) Id SI ProcessName

319      50    20220       6020     972.34   4664   0 AgentService
133      11     2264       1244      24.33  14392   2 ApMsgFwd
142      11     2204       2016     134.50   5072   2 ApntEx
5

It make no difference. They are still not on the same line.

Profile

function prompt {"$(Get-Date)>"}

Transcript:
Transcript started, output file is C:\Users\Jason\Documents\PowerShell_transcript.DESKTOP-U995LEF.R6iiKpvk.20180420135511.txt
04/20/2018 13:55:11>
PS>get-date

Friday, April 20, 2018 1:55:14 PM

6

Please paste the full contents of your PowerShell profile here.

7

I suppose it’s possible that the transcript commands override the custom prompt somewhat if it doesn’t contain certain characters, though I’d find that odd. Just to see, try prefixing ‘PS’ to the custom prompt and see if it behaves:

function prompt {
"PS $(Get-Date)>"
}
8

Adding PS to the prompt did not seem to make a difference.

function prompt {"PS$(Get-Date)>"}

Transcript started, output file is C:\Users\Jason\Documents\PowerShell_transcript.DESKTOP-U995LEF.GHTqJZkg.20180420150327.txt
PS04/20/2018 15:03:27>
PS>get-date

Friday, April 20, 2018 3:03:29 PM

9

There is nothing else in my profile. Only the one prompt function.

10

Try passing the prompt value with Write-Host instead of letting it fall to output, maybe? This is weird…

function prompt {Write-Host "$(Get-Date)>"}
11

No dice, same result in the transcript.

Transcript started, output file is C:\Users\Jason\Documents\PowerShell_transcript.DESKTOP-U995LEF.LdPi_BxD.20180420162331.txt
04/20/2018 16:23:31>
PS>get-date

Friday, April 20, 2018 4:23:34 PM

Is it possible to test to see if you have the same results? I’ve tested on two machines and I am getting the same on both, but want to make sure it is not just me.

Version : 5.1.16299.251

12

Same result for me:

PS C:\Users\xxxx> function prompt { "PS $(Get-Date) $(Split-Path -Leaf $pwd)>" }
PS 04/20/2018 18:35:47 xxxx>
PS C:\Users\xxxx> cd ..
PS 04/20/2018 18:35:51 xxxx>
PS C:\Users\xxxx> get-ChildItem

Weird. I’m gonna step on over to the Github and see if there’s any open issues for this.