diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6b516c12..8b0fc03c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -368,6 +368,7 @@ Customizations available are:
 
 | Variable | Default Value | Description |
 |----------|---------------|-------------|
+|`POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_ABSOLUTE`|None|If set to `true`, will use absolute paths instead of home folder abbreviation `~`|
 |`POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH`|`2`|If your shorten strategy, below, is entire directories, this field determines how many directories to leave at the end. If your shorten strategy is by character count, this field determines how many characters to allow per directory string.|
 |`POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY`|None|How the directory strings should be truncated. See the table below for more informations.|
 |`POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER`|`..`|Delimiter to use in truncated strings. This can be any string you choose, including an empty string if you wish to have no delimiter.|
@@ -378,9 +379,12 @@ Customizations available are:
 |`truncate_absolute_chars`|Truncates an absolute number of characters from the left such that the number of characters that your path displays (with or without `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER`) is no more than `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH` + the length of `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER` |
 |`truncate_middle`|Truncates the middle part of a folder. E.g. you are in a folder named `~/MySuperProjects/AwesomeFiles/BoringOffice`, then it will truncated to `~/MyS..cts/Awe..les/BoringOffice`, if `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=3` is also set (controls the amount of characters to be left).|
 |`truncate_from_right`|Just leaves the beginning of a folder name untouched. E.g. your folders will be truncated like so: "/ro../Pr../office". How many characters will be untouched is controlled by `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH`.|
+|`truncate_absolute`|Truncates everything exept the last few characters in the path. E.g. if you are in a folder named "~/Projects/powerlevel9k" and you have set `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=3`, you will get "..l9k".|
+|`truncate_to_last`|Truncates everything before the last folder in the path.|
+|`truncate_to_first_and_last|Truncate middle directories from the path. How many directories will be untouched is controlled by POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTER_DIR_LENGTH. E.g. if you are in a folder named "~/Projects/powerlevel9k" and you have set `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=1`, you will get "~/../powerlevel9k".||
+|`truncate_to_unique`|Parse all parent path components and truncate them to the shortest unique length. If you copy & paste the result to a shell, after hitting `TAB` it should expand to the original path unambiguously.|
 |`truncate_with_package_name`|Search for a `package.json` or `composer.json` and prints the `name` field to abbreviate the directory path. The precedence and/or files could be set by `POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PACKAGE_FILES=(package.json composer.json)`. If you have [jq](https://stedolan.github.io/jq/) installed, it will dramatically improve the speed of this strategy.|
 |`truncate_with_folder_marker`|Search for a file that is specified by `POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_FOLDER_MARKER` and truncate everything before that (if found, otherwise stop on $HOME and ROOT).|
-|`truncate_to_unique`|Parse all parent path components and truncate them to the shortest unique length. If you copy & paste the result to a shell, after hitting `TAB` it should expand to the original path unambiguously.|
 
 For example, if you wanted the truncation behavior of the `fish` shell, which
 truncates `/usr/share/plasma` to `/u/s/plasma`, you would use the following:
@@ -422,6 +426,10 @@ You can also configure the `dir` segment to show when you are in a directory wit
 |----------|---------------|-------------|
 |`POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_SHOW_WRITABLE`|`false`|If set to `true` and you are in a directory that you do not have write permissions for, this segment will display a lock icon and enter the `NOT_WRITABLE` state (which can be customized per [our usual process](https://github.com/bhilburn/powerlevel9k/wiki/Stylizing-Your-Prompt#segment-color-customization)). Note that this functionality is also available in a separate segment, `dir_writable`.|
 
+If you want to customize the last directory of the path, you can now set `POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND` to a custom color and/or `POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD=true` to display that part in bold.
+
+You can also color the separator separately by setting the color using `POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND`.
+
 ##### disk_usage
 
 The `disk_usage` segment will show the usage level of the partition that your current working directory resides in. It can be configured with the following variables.
diff --git a/functions/utilities.zsh b/functions/utilities.zsh
index 1f4df9bc..a9559922 100755
--- a/functions/utilities.zsh
+++ b/functions/utilities.zsh
@@ -258,6 +258,82 @@ function segmentShouldBeJoined() {
   fi
 }
 
+################################################################
+# Given a directory path, truncate it according to the settings.
+# Parameters:
+#   * $1 Path: string - the directory path to be truncated
+#   * $2 Length: integer - length to truncate to
+#   * $3 Delimiter: string - the delimiter to use
+#   * $4 From: string - "right" | "middle". If omited, assumes right.
+function truncatePath() {
+  # if the current path is not 1 character long (e.g. "/" or "~")
+  if (( ${#1} > 1 )); then
+    # convert $2 from string to integer
+    2=$(( $2 ))
+    # set $3 to "" if not defined
+    [[ -z $3 ]] && 3="" || 3=$(echo -n $3)
+    # set $4 to "right" if not defined
+    [[ -z $4 ]] && 4="right"
+    # create a variable for the truncated path.
+    local trunc_path
+    # if the path is in the home folder, add "~/" to the start otherwise "/"
+    [[ $1 == "~"* ]] && trunc_path='~/' || trunc_path='/'
+    # split the path into an array using "/" as the delimiter
+    local paths=$1
+    paths=(${(s:/:)${paths//"~\/"/}})
+    # declare locals for the directory being tested and its length
+    local test_dir test_dir_length
+    # do the needed truncation
+    case $4 in
+      right)
+        # include the delimiter length in the threshhold
+        local threshhold=$(( $2 + ${#3} ))
+        # loop through the paths
+        for (( i=1; i<${#paths}; i++ )); do
+          # get the current directory value
+          test_dir=$paths[$i]
+          test_dir_length=${#test_dir}
+          # only truncate if the resulting truncation will be shorter than
+          # the truncation + delimiter length and at least 3 characters
+          if (( $test_dir_length > $threshhold )) && (( $test_dir_length > 3 )); then
+            # use the first $2 characters and the delimiter
+            trunc_path+="${test_dir:0:$2}$3/"
+          else
+            # use the full path
+            trunc_path+="${test_dir}/"
+          fi
+        done
+      ;;
+      middle)
+        # we need double the length for start and end truncation + delimiter length
+        local threshhold=$(( $2 * 2 ))
+        # create a variable for the start of the end truncation
+        local last_pos
+        # loop through the paths
+        for (( i=1; i<${#paths}; i++ )); do
+          # get the current directory value
+          test_dir=$paths[$i]
+          test_dir_length=${#test_dir}
+          # only truncate if the resulting truncation will be shorter than
+          # the truncation + delimiter length
+          if (( $test_dir_length > $threshhold )); then
+            # use the first $2 characters, the delimiter and the last $2 characters
+            last_pos=$(( $test_dir_length - $2 ))
+            trunc_path+="${test_dir:0:$2}$3${test_dir:$last_pos:$test_dir_length}/"
+          else
+            # use the full path
+            trunc_path+="${test_dir}/"
+          fi
+        done
+      ;;
+    esac
+    # return the truncated path + the current directory
+    echo $trunc_path${1:t}
+  else # current path is 1 character long (e.g. "/" or "~")
+    echo $1
+  fi
+}
+
 # Given a directory path, truncate it according to the settings for
 # `truncate_from_right`
 function truncatePathFromRight() {
diff --git a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
index c8ab34bd..8379f68a 100755
--- a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
+++ b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
@@ -732,16 +732,26 @@ prompt_command_execution_time() {
 
 ################################################################
 # Dir: current working directory
+# Parameters:
+#   * $1 Alignment: string - left|right
+#   * $2 Index: integer
 set_default POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR "/"
 set_default POWERLEVEL9K_HOME_FOLDER_ABBREVIATION "~"
-set_default POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_SHOW_WRITABLE false
+set_default POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD false
 prompt_dir() {
-  local tmp="$IFS"
-  local IFS=""
-  local current_path=$(pwd | sed -e "s,^$HOME,~,")
-  local IFS="$tmp"
-  if [[ -n "$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH" || "$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY" == "truncate_with_folder_marker" ]]; then
-    set_default POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER $'\U2026'
+  # using $PWD instead of "$(print -P '%~')" to allow use of POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_ABSOLUTE
+  local current_path=$PWD # WAS: local current_path="$(print -P '%~')"
+  # check if the user wants to use absolute paths or "~" paths
+  [[ ${(L)POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_ABSOLUTE} != "true" ]] && current_path=${current_path//$HOME/"~"}
+  # declare all local variables
+  local paths directory test_dir test_dir_length trunc_path threshhold
+  # if we are not in "~" or "/", split the paths into an array and exclude "~"
+  (( ${#current_path} > 1 )) && paths=(${(s:/:)${current_path//"~\/"/}}) || paths=()
+  # only run the code if SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH is set, or we are using the two strategies that don't rely on it.
+  if [[ -n "$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH" || "$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY" == "truncate_with_folder_marker" || "$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY" == "truncate_to_last" ]]; then
+    set_default POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER "\u2026"
+    # convert delimiter from unicode to literal character, so that we can get the correct length later
+    local delim=$(echo -n $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER)
 
     case "$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY" in
       truncate_absolute_chars)
@@ -750,10 +760,89 @@ prompt_dir() {
         fi
       ;;
       truncate_middle)
-        current_path=$(echo "$current_path" | sed $SED_EXTENDED_REGEX_PARAMETER "s/([^/]{$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH})[^/]+([^/]{$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH})\//\1$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER\2\//g")
+        # truncate characters from the middle of the path
+        current_path=$(truncatePath $current_path $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER "middle")
       ;;
       truncate_from_right)
-        current_path=$(truncatePathFromRight "$current_path" )
+        # truncate characters from the right of the path
+        current_path=$(truncatePath "$current_path" $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER)
+      ;;
+      truncate_absolute)
+        # truncate all characters except the last POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH characters
+        if [ ${#current_path} -gt $(( $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH + ${#POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER} )) ]; then
+          current_path=$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER${current_path:(-POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH)}
+        fi
+      ;;
+      truncate_to_last)
+        # truncate all characters before the current directory
+        current_path=${current_path##*/}
+      ;;
+      truncate_to_first_and_last)
+        if (( ${#current_path} > 1 )) && (( ${POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH} > 0 )); then
+          threshhold=$(( ${POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH} * 2))
+          # if we are in "~", add it back into the paths array
+          [[ $current_path == '~'* ]] && paths=("~" "${paths[@]}")
+          if (( ${#paths} > $threshhold )); then
+            local num=$(( ${#paths} - ${POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH} ))
+            # repace the middle elements
+            for (( i=$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH; i<$num; i++ )); do
+              paths[$i+1]=$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER
+            done
+            [[ $current_path != '~'* ]] && current_path="/" || current_path=""
+            current_path+="${(j:/:)paths}"
+          fi
+        fi
+      ;;
+      truncate_to_unique)
+        # for each parent path component find the shortest unique beginning
+        # characters sequence. Source: https://stackoverflow.com/a/45336078
+        if (( ${#current_path} > 1 )); then # root and home are exceptions and won't have paths
+          local matching
+          local cur_path='/'
+          [[ $current_path != "~"* ]] && trunc_path='/' || trunc_path=''
+          for directory in ${paths[@]}; do
+            test_dir=''
+            for (( i=0; i<${#directory}; i++ )); do
+              test_dir+="${directory:$i:1}"
+              matching=("$cur_path"/"$test_dir"*/)
+              if [[ ${#matching[@]} -eq 1 ]]; then
+                break
+              fi
+            done
+            trunc_path+="$test_dir/"
+            cur_path+="$directory/"
+          done
+          [[ $current_path == "~"* ]] && trunc_path="~/$trunc_path"
+          current_path="${trunc_path: : -1}"
+        fi
+      ;;
+      truncate_with_folder_marker)
+        if (( ${#paths} > 0 )); then # root and home are exceptions and won't have paths, so skip this
+          local last_marked_folder marked_folder
+          set_default POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_FOLDER_MARKER ".shorten_folder_marker"
+
+          # Search for the folder marker in the parent directories and
+          # buildup a pattern that is removed from the current path
+          # later on.
+          for marked_folder in $(upsearch $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_FOLDER_MARKER); do
+            if [[ "$marked_folder" == "/" ]]; then
+              # If we reached root folder, stop upsearch.
+              trunc_path="/"
+            elif [[ "$marked_folder" == "$HOME" ]]; then
+              # If we reached home folder, stop upsearch.
+              trunc_path="~"
+            elif [[ "${marked_folder%/*}" == $last_marked_folder ]]; then
+              trunc_path="${trunc_path%/}/${marked_folder##*/}"
+            else
+              trunc_path="${trunc_path%/}/$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER/${marked_folder##*/}"
+            fi
+            last_marked_folder=$marked_folder
+          done
+
+          # Replace the shortest possible match of the marked folder from
+          # the current path.
+          current_path=$trunc_path${current_path#${last_marked_folder}*}
+        fi
       ;;
       truncate_with_package_name)
         local name repo_path package_path current_dir zero
@@ -778,11 +867,11 @@ prompt_dir() {
         # in the path (this is done by the "zero" pattern; see
         # http://stackoverflow.com/a/40855342/5586433).
         local zero='%([BSUbfksu]|([FB]|){*})'
-        current_dir=$(pwd)
+        trunc_path=$(pwd)
         # Then, find the length of the package_path string, and save the
         # subdirectory path as a substring of the current directory's path from 0
         # to the length of the package path's string
-        subdirectory_path=$(truncatePathFromRight "${current_dir:${#${(S%%)package_path//$~zero/}}}")
+        subdirectory_path=$(truncatePath "${trunc_path:${#${(S%%)package_path//$~zero/}}}" $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER)
         # Parse the 'name' from the package.json; if there are any problems, just
         # print the file path
         defined POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PACKAGE_FILES || POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PACKAGE_FILES=(package.json composer.json)
@@ -803,78 +892,16 @@ prompt_dir() {
           # Instead of printing out the full path, print out the name of the package
           # from the package.json and append the current subdirectory
           current_path="`echo $packageName | tr -d '"'`$subdirectory_path"
-          if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_OMIT_FIRST_CHARACTER}" == "true" ]]; then
-            # add space before the packageName to allow for removing the "first" character, without messing up the package name.
-            current_path=" ${current_path}"
-          fi
-        else
-          current_path=$(truncatePathFromRight "$current_path" )
         fi
       ;;
-      truncate_with_folder_marker)
-        local last_marked_folder marked_folder
-        set_default POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_FOLDER_MARKER ".shorten_folder_marker"
-
-        # Search for the folder marker in the parent directories and
-        # buildup a pattern that is removed from the current path
-        # later on.
-        for marked_folder in $(upsearch $POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_FOLDER_MARKER); do
-          if [[ "$marked_folder" == "/" ]]; then
-            # If we reached root folder, stop upsearch.
-            current_path="/"
-          elif [[ "$marked_folder" == "$HOME" ]]; then
-            # If we reached home folder, stop upsearch.
-            current_path="~"
-          elif [[ "${marked_folder%/*}" == $last_marked_folder ]]; then
-            current_path="${current_path%/}/${marked_folder##*/}"
-          else
-            current_path="${current_path%/}/$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER/${marked_folder##*/}"
-          fi
-          last_marked_folder=$marked_folder
-        done
-
-        # Replace the shortest possible match of the marked folder from
-        # the current path.
-        current_path=$current_path${PWD#${last_marked_folder}*}
-      ;;
-      truncate_to_unique)
-        # for each parent path component find the shortest unique beginning
-        # characters sequence. Source: https://stackoverflow.com/a/45336078
-        paths=(${(s:/:)PWD})
-        cur_path='/'
-        cur_short_path='/'
-        for directory in ${paths[@]}
-        do
-          cur_dir=''
-          for (( i=0; i<${#directory}; i++ )); do
-            cur_dir+="${directory:$i:1}"
-            matching=("$cur_path"/"$cur_dir"*/)
-            if [[ ${#matching[@]} -eq 1 ]]; then
-              break
-            fi
-          done
-          cur_short_path+="$cur_dir/"
-          cur_path+="$directory/"
-        done
-        current_path="${cur_short_path: : -1}"
-      ;;
       *)
         current_path="$(print -P "%$((POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH+1))(c:$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER/:)%${POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH}c")"
       ;;
     esac
   fi
 
-  if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_OMIT_FIRST_CHARACTER}" == "true" ]]; then
-    current_path="${current_path[2,-1]}"
-  fi
-
-  if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR}" != "/" ]]; then
-    current_path="$( echo "${current_path}" | sed "s/\//${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR}/g")"
-  fi
-
-  if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_HOME_FOLDER_ABBREVIATION}" != "~" ]]; then
-    current_path=${current_path/#\~/${POWERLEVEL9K_HOME_FOLDER_ABBREVIATION}}
-  fi
+  # save state of path for highlighting and bold options
+  local path_opt=$current_path
 
   typeset -AH dir_states
   dir_states=(
@@ -883,14 +910,85 @@ prompt_dir() {
     "HOME_SUBFOLDER"  "HOME_SUB_ICON"
     "NOT_WRITABLE"    "LOCK_ICON"
   )
+  local state_path="$(print -P '%~')"
   local current_state="DEFAULT"
   if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_SHOW_WRITABLE}" == true && ! -w "$PWD" ]]; then
     current_state="NOT_WRITABLE"
-  elif [[ $(print -P "%~") == '~' ]]; then
+  elif [[ $state_path == '~' ]]; then
     current_state="HOME"
-  elif [[ $(print -P "%~") == '~'* ]]; then
+  elif [[ $state_path == '~'* ]]; then
     current_state="HOME_SUBFOLDER"
   fi
+
+  # declare variables used for bold and state colors
+  local bld dir_state_foreground dir_state_user_foreground
+  # test if user wants the last directory printed in bold
+  if [[ "${(L)POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD}" == "true" ]]; then
+    bld_on="%B"
+    bld_off="%b"
+  else
+    bld_on=""
+    bld_off=""
+  fi
+  # determine is the user has set a last directory color
+  local dir_state_user_foreground=POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_${current_state}_FOREGROUND
+  local dir_state_foreground=${(P)dir_state_user_foreground}
+  [[ -z ${dir_state_foreground} ]] && dir_state_foreground="${DEFAULT_COLOR}"
+
+  local dir_name base_name
+  # use ZSH substitution to get the dirname and basename instead of calling external functions
+  dir_name=${path_opt%/*}
+  base_name=${path_opt##*/}
+
+  # if the user wants the last directory colored...
+  if [[ -n ${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND} ]]; then
+    # it the path is "/" or "~"
+    if [[ $path_opt == "/" || $path_opt == "~" ]]; then
+      current_path="${bld_on}%F{$POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND}${current_path}${bld_off}"
+    else # has a subfolder
+      # test if dirname != basename - they are equal if we use truncate_to_last or truncate_absolute
+      if [[ $dir_name != $base_name ]]; then
+        current_path="${dir_name}/${bld_on}%F{$POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND}${base_name}${bld_off}"
+      else
+        current_path="${bld_on}%F{$POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND}${base_name}${bld_off}"
+      fi
+    fi
+  else # no coloring
+    # it the path is "/" or "~"
+    if [[ $path_opt == "/" || $path_opt == "~" ]]; then
+      current_path="${bld_on}${current_path}${bld_off}"
+    else # has a subfolder
+      # test if dirname != basename - they are equal if we use truncate_to_last or truncate_absolute
+      if [[ $dir_name != $base_name ]]; then
+        current_path="${dir_name}/${bld_on}${base_name}${bld_off}"
+      else
+        current_path="${bld_on}${base_name}${bld_off}"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # check if we need to omit the first character and only do it if we are not in "~" or "/"
+  if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_OMIT_FIRST_CHARACTER}" == "true" && $path_opt != "/" && $path_opt != "~" ]]; then
+    current_path="${current_path[2,-1]}"
+  fi
+
+  # check if the user wants the separator colored.
+  if [[ -n ${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND} && $path_opt != "/" ]]; then
+    # because this contains color changing codes, it is easier to set a variable for what should be replaced
+    local repl="%F{$POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND}/%F{$dir_state_foreground}"
+    # escape the / with a \
+    current_path=${current_path//\//$repl}
+  fi
+
+  if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR}" != "/" && $path_opt != "/" ]]; then
+    current_path=${current_path//\//$POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR}
+  fi
+
+  if [[ "${POWERLEVEL9K_HOME_FOLDER_ABBREVIATION}" != "~" && ! "${(L)POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_OMIT_FIRST_CHARACTER}" == "true" ]]; then
+    # use :s to only replace the first occurance
+    current_path=${current_path:s/~/$POWERLEVEL9K_HOME_FOLDER_ABBREVIATION}
+  fi
+
   "$1_prompt_segment" "$0_${current_state}" "$2" "blue" "$DEFAULT_COLOR" "${current_path}" "${dir_states[$current_state]}"
 }
 
diff --git a/test/segments/dir.spec b/test/segments/dir.spec
index ef27e160..66009a86 100755
--- a/test/segments/dir.spec
+++ b/test/segments/dir.spec
@@ -18,6 +18,16 @@ function tearDown() {
   unset POWERLEVEL9K_LEFT_PROMPT_ELEMENTS
 }
 
+function testDirPathAbsoluteWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_ABSOLUTE=true
+
+  cd ~
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}/home/travis %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_ABSOLUTE
+}
+
 function testTruncateFoldersWorks() {
   POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=2
   POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY='truncate_folders'
@@ -72,6 +82,60 @@ function testTruncationFromRightWorks() {
   unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY
 }
 
+function testTruncateToLastWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=2
+  POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY="truncate_to_last"
+
+  FOLDER=/tmp/powerlevel9k-test/1/12/123/1234/12345/123456/1234567/12345678/123456789
+  mkdir -p $FOLDER
+  cd $FOLDER
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}123456789 %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  unset FOLDER
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY
+}
+
+function testTruncateToFirstAndLastWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=2
+  POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY="truncate_to_first_and_last"
+
+  FOLDER=/tmp/powerlevel9k-test/1/12/123/1234/12345/123456/1234567/12345678/123456789
+  mkdir -p $FOLDER
+  cd $FOLDER
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}/tmp/powerlevel9k-test/…/…/…/…/…/…/…/12345678/123456789 %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  unset FOLDER
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY
+}
+
+function testTruncateAbsoluteWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=2
+  POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY="truncate_absolute"
+
+  FOLDER=/tmp/powerlevel9k-test/1/12/123/1234/12345/123456/1234567/12345678/123456789
+  mkdir -p $FOLDER
+  cd $FOLDER
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}…89 %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  unset FOLDER
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY
+}
+
 function testTruncationFromRightWithEmptyDelimiter() {
   POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH=2
   POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER=""
@@ -427,4 +491,136 @@ function testTruncateToUniqueWorks() {
   unset POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_STRATEGY
 }
 
+function testBoldHomeDirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD=true
+  cd ~
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}%B~%b %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD
+}
+
+function testBoldHomeSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD=true
+  mkdir -p ~/powerlevel9k-test
+  cd ~/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}~/%Bpowerlevel9k-test%b %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr ~/powerlevel9k-test
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD
+}
+
+function testBoldRootDirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD=true
+  cd /
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}%B/%b %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD
+}
+
+function testBoldRootSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD=true
+  cd /tmp
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}/%Btmp%b %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD
+}
+
+function testBoldRootSubSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD=true
+  mkdir -p /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+  cd /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}/tmp/%Bpowerlevel9k-test%b %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_BOLD
+}
+
+function testHighlightHomeWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND='red'
+  cd ~
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}%F{red}~ %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND
+}
+
+function testHighlightHomeSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND='red'
+  mkdir -p ~/powerlevel9k-test
+  cd ~/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}~/%F{red}powerlevel9k-test %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr ~/powerlevel9k-test
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND
+}
+
+function testHighlightRootWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND='red'
+  cd /
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}%F{red}/ %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND
+}
+
+function testHighlightRootSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND='red'
+  cd /tmp
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}/%F{red}tmp %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND
+}
+
+function testHighlightRootSubSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND='red'
+  mkdir /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+  cd /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}/tmp/%F{red}powerlevel9k-test %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_HIGHLIGHT_FOREGROUND
+}
+
+function testDirSeparatorColorHomeSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND='red'
+  mkdir -p ~/powerlevel9k-test
+  cd ~/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}~%F{red}/%F{black}powerlevel9k-test %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr ~/powerlevel9k-test
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND
+}
+
+function testDirSeparatorColorRootSubSubdirWorks() {
+  POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND='red'
+  mkdir -p /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+  cd /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+
+  assertEquals "%K{blue} %F{black}%F{red}/%F{black}tmp%F{red}/%F{black}powerlevel9k-test %k%F{blue}%f " "$(build_left_prompt)"
+
+  cd -
+  rm -fr /tmp/powerlevel9k-test
+  unset POWERLEVEL9K_DIR_PATH_SEPARATOR_FOREGROUND
+}
+
 source shunit2/source/2.1/src/shunit2