Many shell/vim/etc extensions require powerline fonts to be installed in your system. Usually, people stick with fonts available in the powerline repository, but if you want to continue using your favorite font while taking benefits of powerline symbols?

Pretty obvious solution: just patch it!

Here is what you’ll need:

  1. Python 2.x.
  2. Fontforge with Python support. On a Mac, it is pretty easy to install: brew install fontforge --with-python.
  3. Powerline font patcher. Just clone it: git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/powerline/fontpatcher.git.
  4. Your font file.

After you have everything installed, go to the scripts directory of powerline repository and run ./powerline <your_font_file_name>. For instance, I did ./powerline-fontpatcher /System/Library/Fonts/Monaco.dfont to patch the default monospace font of macOS. Then you’ll get your patched font in the directory you’re currently at and that’s it! You just need to install this font and enjoy your favorite font with new powerline symbols.