diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e3fad99..c4200ed 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,11 +9,15 @@ accounts: `reachableceo` and `reachableceo-offstage`.
 
 ## What's managed
 
-- `~/.zshrc` — oh-my-zsh + powerlevel10k + autosuggestions /
-  syntax-highlighting / completions, vi mode, fzf, history prefs
-- `~/.config/zsh/` — aliases.sh, variables.sh (personal snippets)
-- `~/.p10k.zsh` — lean theme, compatible glyphs (run `p10k configure`
-  on a nerd-font terminal to upgrade)
+- `~/.zshrc` — oh-my-zsh + autosuggestions / syntax-highlighting /
+  completions, vi mode, fzf, history prefs
+- `~/.config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh` — the Kali Linux default shell feel:
+  twoline `┌──(user㉿host)-[dir]` prompt (root gets 💀), menu-select +
+  case-insensitive completion, Kali keybindings/color aliases/palette.
+  Loaded last; `KALI_PROMPT=0` in `~/.zshrc` restores powerlevel10k
+- `~/.config/zsh/aliases.sh`, `variables.sh` — personal snippets
+- `~/.p10k.zsh` — fallback theme, compatible glyphs (run `p10k
+  configure` on a nerd-font terminal to upgrade)
 - `~/.tmux.conf` — Ctrl-a prefix, mouse, vi copy mode
 - `~/.vimrc`, `~/.gitconfig` (template: hooksPath + tea helper render
   only for `reachableceo`)
diff --git a/dot_zshrc b/dot_zshrc
index bbecfcc..99ef93c 100644
--- a/dot_zshrc
+++ b/dot_zshrc
@@ -2,19 +2,29 @@
 # Home base: ultix-streaming (VM 5111). Minimal interactive footprint
 # anywhere else; heavy lifting happens in containers.
 #
-# Layers: oh-my-zsh + powerlevel10k, fzf, vi mode, ~/.config/zsh/* snippets.
+# Layers: oh-my-zsh + Kali-style prompt/completions (kali-comforts.sh),
+# fzf, vi mode, ~/.config/zsh/* snippets. powerlevel10k stays installed
+# as the fallback prompt (KALI_PROMPT=0).
 
 #####################################################################
 # oh-my-zsh
 #####################################################################
 
 export ZSH="$HOME/.oh-my-zsh"
-ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"
+
+# Prompt: Kali twoline by default (kali-comforts.sh applies it last).
+# KALI_PROMPT=0 flips back to powerlevel10k.
+KALI_PROMPT=${KALI_PROMPT:-1}
+if [[ "$KALI_PROMPT" == 1 ]]; then
+  ZSH_THEME=""
+else
+  ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"
+fi
 
 # externals in .chezmoiexternal.toml own updates
 zstyle ':omz:update' mode disabled
 
-ENABLE_CORRECTION="true"
+# Kali ships command correction OFF — the nagging outweighs the saves
 DISABLE_UNTRACKED_FILES_DIRTY="true"
 HIST_STAMPS="yyyy-mm-dd"
 
@@ -33,8 +43,10 @@ plugins=(
 
 source $ZSH/oh-my-zsh.sh
 
-# powerlevel10k (run `p10k configure` any time for the fancy wizard)
-[[ ! -f ~/.p10k.zsh ]] || source ~/.p10k.zsh
+# powerlevel10k loads only when it's the active prompt
+if [[ "$KALI_PROMPT" != 1 ]]; then
+  [[ ! -f ~/.p10k.zsh ]] || source ~/.p10k.zsh
+fi
 
 #####################################################################
 # Creature comforts
@@ -113,3 +125,6 @@ fi
 
 [[ -r "$HOME/.config/zsh/variables.sh" ]] && source "$HOME/.config/zsh/variables.sh"
 [[ -r "$HOME/.config/zsh/aliases.sh" ]] && source "$HOME/.config/zsh/aliases.sh"
+
+# Kali-style prompt + completions (loaded last so its settings win)
+[[ -r "$HOME/.config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh" ]] && source "$HOME/.config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh"
diff --git a/private_dot_config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh b/private_dot_config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c768a28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/private_dot_config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+###################################
+# ~/.config/zsh/kali-comforts.sh — chezmoi-managed
+# Kali Linux default zsh experience (kali-zsh-config) layered on
+# oh-my-zsh: options, keybindings, completions, the twoline prompt,
+# color aliases and the Kali syntax-highlight palette.
+# Prompt toggle: KALI_PROMPT=0 in ~/.zshrc restores powerlevel10k.
+###################################
+
+#####################################################################
+# Options (Kali stock)
+#####################################################################
+
+setopt autocd               # change directory just by typing its name
+setopt interactivecomments  # allow comments in interactive shells
+setopt magicequalsubst      # filename expansion for x=expr arguments
+setopt nonomatch            # unmatched glob passes through, no error
+setopt notify               # report background job status immediately
+setopt numericglobsort      # sort filenames numerically when sensible
+setopt promptsubst          # enable substitutions in the prompt
+setopt hist_ignore_space    # commands starting with space skip history
+
+WORDCHARS=${WORDCHARS//\/}  # '/' is not part of a word
+PROMPT_EOL_MARK=""          # hide the EOL '%'
+
+#####################################################################
+# Keybindings (Kali stock) — coexist with vi-insert mode
+#####################################################################
+
+bindkey ' ' magic-space                        # history expansion on space
+bindkey '^[[3;5~' kill-word                    # ctrl + del
+bindkey '^[[3~' delete-char                    # del
+bindkey '^[[1;5C' forward-word                 # ctrl + right
+bindkey '^[[1;5D' backward-word                # ctrl + left
+bindkey '^[[5~' beginning-of-buffer-or-history # page up
+bindkey '^[[6~' end-of-buffer-or-history       # page down
+bindkey '^[[H' beginning-of-line               # home
+bindkey '^[[F' end-of-line                     # end
+bindkey '^[[Z' undo                            # shift + tab
+
+#####################################################################
+# Completion (Kali stock zstyles) — menu select + case-insensitive
+#####################################################################
+
+zstyle ':completion:*:*:*:*:*' menu select
+zstyle ':completion:*' auto-description 'specify: %d'
+zstyle ':completion:*' completer _expand _complete
+zstyle ':completion:*' format 'Completing %d'
+zstyle ':completion:*' group-name ''
+zstyle ':completion:*' list-prompt %SAt %p: Hit TAB for more, or the character to insert%s
+zstyle ':completion:*' matcher-list 'm:{a-zA-Z}={A-Za-z}'
+zstyle ':completion:*' rehash true
+zstyle ':completion:*' select-prompt %SScrolling active: current selection at %p%s
+zstyle ':completion:*' use-compctl false
+zstyle ':completion:*' verbose true
+zstyle ':completion:*:kill:*' command 'ps -u $USER -o pid,%cpu,tty,cputime,cmd'
+
+#####################################################################
+# Prompt — the Kali twoline: root gets the skull, users get ㉿,
+# right side shows last exit status and background jobs.
+# Alt-P flips twoline/oneline (Kali binds ^P; Alt-P keeps vi ^P).
+#####################################################################
+
+if [ -z "${debian_chroot:-}" ] && [ -r /etc/debian_chroot ]; then
+    debian_chroot=$(cat /etc/debian_chroot)
+fi
+
+VIRTUAL_ENV_DISABLE_PROMPT=1
+PROMPT_ALTERNATIVE=${PROMPT_ALTERNATIVE:-twoline}
+NEWLINE_BEFORE_PROMPT=yes
+
+configure_prompt() {
+    prompt_symbol=㉿
+    [ "$EUID" -eq 0 ] && prompt_symbol=💀
+    case "$PROMPT_ALTERNATIVE" in
+        twoline)
+            PROMPT=$'%F{%(#.blue.green)}┌──${debian_chroot:+($debian_chroot)─}${VIRTUAL_ENV:+($(basename $VIRTUAL_ENV))─}(%B%F{%(#.red.blue)}%n$prompt_symbol%m%b%F{%(#.blue.green)})-[%B%F{reset}%(6~.%-1~/…/%4~.%5~)%b%F{%(#.blue.green)}]\n└─%B%(#.%F{red}#.%F{blue}$)%b%F{reset} '
+            RPROMPT=$'%(?.. %? %F{red}%B⨯%b%F{reset})%(1j. %j %F{yellow}%B⚙%b%F{reset}.)'
+            ;;
+        oneline)
+            PROMPT=$'${debian_chroot:+($debian_chroot)}${VIRTUAL_ENV:+($(basename $VIRTUAL_ENV))}%B%F{%(#.red.blue)}%n@%m%b%F{reset}:%B%F{%(#.blue.green)}%~%b%F{reset}%(#.#.$) '
+            RPROMPT=
+            ;;
+    esac
+}
+configure_prompt
+
+toggle_oneline_prompt() {
+    if [ "$PROMPT_ALTERNATIVE" = oneline ]; then
+        PROMPT_ALTERNATIVE=twoline
+    else
+        PROMPT_ALTERNATIVE=oneline
+    fi
+    configure_prompt
+    zle reset-prompt
+}
+zle -N toggle_oneline_prompt
+bindkey '^[p' toggle_oneline_prompt
+
+# blank line between prompts (skips the very first one)
+precmd() {
+    if [ "$NEWLINE_BEFORE_PROMPT" = yes ]; then
+        if [ -z "$_NEW_LINE_BEFORE_PROMPT" ]; then
+            _NEW_LINE_BEFORE_PROMPT=1
+        else
+            print ""
+        fi
+    fi
+}
+
+#####################################################################
+# Colors: dircolors, color aliases, colored less/man (Kali stock)
+#####################################################################
+
+if [ -x /usr/bin/dircolors ]; then
+    test -r ~/.dircolors && eval "$(dircolors -b ~/.dircolors)" || eval "$(dircolors -b)"
+
+    alias dir='dir --color=auto'
+    alias vdir='vdir --color=auto'
+    alias fgrep='fgrep --color=auto'
+    alias egrep='egrep --color=auto'
+    alias diff='diff --color=auto'
+    alias ip='ip --color=auto'
+
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_mb=$'\E[1;31m'     # begin blink
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_md=$'\E[1;36m'     # begin bold
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_me=$'\E[0m'        # reset bold/blink
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_so=$'\E[01;33m'    # begin reverse video
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_se=$'\E[0m'        # reset reverse video
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_us=$'\E[1;32m'     # begin underline
+    export LESS_TERMCAP_ue=$'\E[0m'        # reset underline
+
+    # take advantage of $LS_COLORS for completion as well
+    zstyle ':completion:*' list-colors "${(s.:.)LS_COLORS}"
+    zstyle ':completion:*:*:kill:*:processes' list-colors '=(#b) #([0-9]#)*=0=01;31'
+fi
+
+#####################################################################
+# Kali syntax-highlight palette (only when the plugin is loaded)
+#####################################################################
+
+if [[ -n "${ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_VERSION:-}" ]]; then
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_HIGHLIGHTERS=(main brackets pattern)
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[default]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[unknown-token]=fg=red,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[reserved-word]=fg=cyan,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[suffix-alias]=fg=green,underline
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[global-alias]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[precommand]=fg=green,underline
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[commandseparator]=fg=blue,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[autodirectory]=fg=green,underline
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[path]=underline
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[path_pathseparator]=
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[path_prefix_pathseparator]=
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[globbing]=fg=blue,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[history-expansion]=fg=blue,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[command-substitution]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[command-substitution-delimiter]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[process-substitution]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[process-substitution-delimiter]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[single-hyphen-option]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[double-hyphen-option]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[back-quoted-argument]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[back-quoted-argument-delimiter]=fg=blue,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[single-quoted-argument]=fg=yellow
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[double-quoted-argument]=fg=yellow
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[dollar-quoted-argument]=fg=yellow
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[rc-quote]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[dollar-double-quoted-argument]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[back-double-quoted-argument]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[back-dollar-quoted-argument]=fg=magenta
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[assign]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[redirection]=fg=blue,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[comment]=fg=black,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[named-fd]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[numeric-fd]=none
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[arg0]=fg=green
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[bracket-error]=fg=red,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[bracket-level-1]=fg=blue,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[bracket-level-2]=fg=green,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[bracket-level-3]=fg=magenta,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[bracket-level-4]=fg=yellow,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[bracket-level-5]=fg=cyan,bold
+    ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_STYLES[cursor-matchingbracket]=standout
+fi