# Irb prompt

**URL:** <https://rubytalk.org/t/irb-prompt/6765>\
**Category:** ruby-talk\
**Created:** [9 July 2003 09:35 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/irb-prompt/6765 "2003-07-09T09:35:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![\_Pena\_Botp1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/94ad74/32.png) [@\_Pena\_Botp1](https://rubytalk.org/u/_Pena_Botp1)\
**Post date:** [9 July 2003 09:35 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/irb-prompt/6765/1 "2003-07-09T09:35:53Z")

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Hi,

1. how can we dynamically change irb prompt? Currently, the prompt shows \*  
for continuation. It would be helpful if the prompt changes to reflect the  
waiting token like…

from this:

irb(main):009:0\> x = [  
irb(main):010:1\* 1,2]  
=\> [1, 2]

to this:

irb(main):009:0\> x = [  
irb(main):010:1[\*\> 1,2] #\<-- note the “[” wc is waiting for the partner “]”,  
and note I like the \> to remain, the \* just inserted  
=\> [1, 2]

1. also, I always lose this…

irb(main):024:1\> x = [1,2,  
irb(main):025:2\* 3  
irb(main):026:2\> #\<— shouldn’t this be an \* still?

of course, I get lost when I start referencing x…

thanks in advance.  
sorry for the newby qs.

kind regards -botp