diff --git a/clean_files.txt b/clean_files.txt
index 8f9c173a29..70b1175cb1 100644
--- a/clean_files.txt
+++ b/clean_files.txt
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ completion/available/wpscan.completion.bash
 # libraries
 lib/colors.bash
 lib/helpers.bash
+lib/history.bash
 lib/log.bash
 lib/preexec.bash
 lib/search.bash
diff --git a/lib/history.bash b/lib/history.bash
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7bdbbd5ef0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/history.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# shellcheck shell=bash
+#
+# Functions for working with Bash's command history.
+
+function _bash-it-history-init() {
+	safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+	safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+}
+
+function _bash-it-history-auto-save() {
+	case $HISTCONTROL in
+		*'noauto'* | *'autoload'*)
+			: # Do nothing, as configured.
+			;;
+		*'auto'*)
+			# Append new history from this session to the $HISTFILE
+			history -a
+			;;
+		*)
+			# Append *only* if shell option `histappend` has been enabled.
+			shopt -q histappend && history -a && return
+			;;
+	esac
+}
+
+function _bash-it-history-auto-load() {
+	case $HISTCONTROL in
+		*'noauto'*)
+			: # Do nothing, as configured.
+			;;
+		*'autosave'*)
+			# Append new history from this session to the $HISTFILE
+			history -a
+			;;
+		*'autoloadnew'*)
+			# Read new entries from $HISTFILE
+			history -n
+			;;
+		*'auto'*)
+			# Blank in-memory history, then read entire $HISTFILE fresh from disk.
+			history -a && history -c && history -r
+			;;
+		*)
+			: # Do nothing, default.
+			;;
+	esac
+}
+
+_bash_it_library_finalize_hook+=('_bash-it-history-init')
diff --git a/plugins/available/history-eternal.plugin.bash b/plugins/available/history-eternal.plugin.bash
index a18283d31f..829868df4a 100644
--- a/plugins/available/history-eternal.plugin.bash
+++ b/plugins/available/history-eternal.plugin.bash
@@ -1,20 +1,22 @@
 # shellcheck shell=bash
 about-plugin 'eternal bash history'
 
-# Load after the history plugin
-# BASH_IT_LOAD_PRIORITY: 375
+if [[ ${BASH_VERSINFO[0]} -lt 4 ]] || [[ ${BASH_VERSINFO[0]} -eq 4 && ${BASH_VERSINFO[1]} -lt 3 ]]; then
+	_log_warning "Bash version 4.3 introduced the 'unlimited' history size capability."
+	return 1
+fi
 
 # Modify history sizes before changing location to avoid unintentionally
 # truncating the history file early.
 
 # "Numeric values less than zero result in every command being saved on the history list (there is no limit)"
-export HISTSIZE=-1
+readonly HISTSIZE=-1 2> /dev/null || true
 
 # "Non-numeric values and numeric values less than zero inhibit truncation"
-export HISTFILESIZE='unlimited'
+readonly HISTFILESIZE='unlimited' 2> /dev/null || true
 
 # Use a custom history file location so history is not truncated
 # if the environment ever loses this "eternal" configuration.
 HISTDIR="${XDG_STATE_HOME:-${HOME?}/.local/state}/bash"
 [[ -d ${HISTDIR?} ]] || mkdir -p "${HISTDIR?}"
-export HISTFILE="${HISTDIR?}/history"
+readonly HISTFILE="${HISTDIR?}/history" 2> /dev/null || true
diff --git a/plugins/available/history-search.plugin.bash b/plugins/available/history-search.plugin.bash
index 341ce2af27..969419934c 100644
--- a/plugins/available/history-search.plugin.bash
+++ b/plugins/available/history-search.plugin.bash
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 # shellcheck shell=bash
 about-plugin 'search history using the prefix already entered'
 
-# Load after the history plugin
-# BASH_IT_LOAD_PRIORITY: 375
-
 # enter a few characters and press UpArrow/DownArrow
 # to search backwards/forwards through the history
 if [[ ${SHELLOPTS} =~ (vi|emacs) ]]; then
diff --git a/plugins/available/history-substring-search.plugin.bash b/plugins/available/history-substring-search.plugin.bash
index 586ceb50b0..dde3272083 100644
--- a/plugins/available/history-substring-search.plugin.bash
+++ b/plugins/available/history-substring-search.plugin.bash
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 # shellcheck shell=bash
 about-plugin 'search history using the substring already entered'
 
-# Load after the history plugin
-# BASH_IT_LOAD_PRIORITY: 375
-
 # enter a few characters and press UpArrow/DownArrow
 # to search backwards/forwards through the history
 if [[ ${SHELLOPTS} =~ (vi|emacs) ]]; then
diff --git a/plugins/available/history.plugin.bash b/plugins/available/history.plugin.bash
index be253e4a53..d9e930c389 100644
--- a/plugins/available/history.plugin.bash
+++ b/plugins/available/history.plugin.bash
@@ -5,14 +5,13 @@ about-plugin 'improve history handling with sane defaults'
 # variable when the shell exits, rather than overwriting the file.
 shopt -s histappend
 
-# erase duplicates; alternative option: export HISTCONTROL=ignoredups
-export HISTCONTROL=${HISTCONTROL:-ignorespace:erasedups}
+# 'ignorespace': don't save command lines which begin with a space to history
+# 'erasedups' (alternative 'ignoredups'): don't save duplicates to history
+# 'autoshare': automatically share history between multiple running shells
+: "${HISTCONTROL:=ignorespace:erasedups:autoshare}"
 
 # resize history to 100x the default (500)
-export HISTSIZE=${HISTSIZE:-50000}
-
-# Flush history to disk after each command.
-export PROMPT_COMMAND="history -a;${PROMPT_COMMAND}"
+: "${HISTSIZE:=50000}"
 
 function top-history() {
 	about 'print the name and count of the most commonly run tools'
diff --git a/themes/barbuk/barbuk.theme.bash b/themes/barbuk/barbuk.theme.bash
index b614d148c1..71712de9b8 100644
--- a/themes/barbuk/barbuk.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/barbuk/barbuk.theme.bash
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ SCM_THEME_BRANCH_TRACK_PREFIX="${normal} ⤏  ${cyan}"
 SCM_THEME_CURRENT_USER_PREFFIX='  '
 SCM_GIT_SHOW_CURRENT_USER=false
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+	*'auto'*)
+		: # Do nothing, already configured.
+		;;
+	*)
+		# Append new history lines to history file
+		HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+		;;
+esac
+
 function _git-uptream-remote-logo {
 	[[ "$(_git-upstream)" == "" ]] && SCM_GIT_CHAR="$SCM_GIT_CHAR_DEFAULT"
 
@@ -80,8 +90,6 @@ function _prompt {
 	_exit-code exit_code
 	_git-uptream-remote-logo
 
-	history -a
-
 	# Detect root shell
 	if [ "$(whoami)" = root ]; then
 		dir_color=$red
@@ -109,4 +117,5 @@ function _prompt {
 	PS1="${PS1}${wrap_char}❯${normal} "
 }
 
+safe_append_preexec _bash-it-history-auto-save
 safe_append_prompt_command _prompt
diff --git a/themes/base.theme.bash b/themes/base.theme.bash
index a7e999617b..d7479b3fc0 100644
--- a/themes/base.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/base.theme.bash
@@ -584,6 +584,7 @@ function aws_profile {
 }
 
 function _save-and-reload-history() {
-	local autosave=${1:-0}
-	[[ $autosave -eq 1 ]] && history -a && history -c && history -r
+	local autosave="${1:-${HISTORY_AUTOSAVE:-0}}"
+	[[ ${autosave} -eq 1 ]] && local HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autoshare"
+	_bash-it-history-auto-save && _bash-it-history-auto-load
 }
diff --git a/themes/codeword/codeword.theme.bash b/themes/codeword/codeword.theme.bash
index d52403c12e..16f1098735 100644
--- a/themes/codeword/codeword.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/codeword/codeword.theme.bash
@@ -1,5 +1,17 @@
 # shellcheck shell=bash
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_PREFIX="${SCM_THEME_PROMPT_SUFFIX:-}"
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_DIRTY="${bold_red?} ✗${normal?}"
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_CLEAN="${bold_green?} ✓${normal?}"
@@ -21,5 +33,4 @@ function prompt() {
   PS1="$(user_host_path_prompt)$(virtualenv_prompt)$(scm_prompt) $(mark_prompt) "
 }
 
-safe_append_prompt_command '_save-and-reload-history 1'
 safe_append_prompt_command prompt
diff --git a/themes/doubletime/doubletime.theme.bash b/themes/doubletime/doubletime.theme.bash
index 8186db736b..536573e446 100644
--- a/themes/doubletime/doubletime.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/doubletime/doubletime.theme.bash
@@ -1,5 +1,17 @@
 # shellcheck shell=bash
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_DIRTY=''
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_CLEAN=''
 SCM_GIT_CHAR="${bold_cyan}±${normal}"
@@ -29,8 +41,6 @@ else
 fi
 
 function prompt_setter() {
-  # Save history
-  _save-and-reload-history 1
   PS1="
 $(clock_prompt) $(scm_char) [${THEME_PROMPT_HOST_COLOR}\u@${THEME_PROMPT_HOST}$reset_color] $(virtualenv_prompt)$(ruby_version_prompt)\w
 $(scm_prompt)$reset_color $ "
diff --git a/themes/doubletime_multiline/doubletime_multiline.theme.bash b/themes/doubletime_multiline/doubletime_multiline.theme.bash
index f2dfe43a7b..8b2bab04b7 100644
--- a/themes/doubletime_multiline/doubletime_multiline.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/doubletime_multiline/doubletime_multiline.theme.bash
@@ -2,9 +2,19 @@
 
 source "$BASH_IT/themes/doubletime/doubletime.theme.bash"
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 function prompt_setter() {
-  # Save history
-  _save-and-reload-history 1
   PS1="
 $(clock_prompt) $(scm_char) [$THEME_PROMPT_HOST_COLOR\u@${THEME_PROMPT_HOST}$reset_color] $(virtualenv_prompt)$(ruby_version_prompt)
 \w
diff --git a/themes/doubletime_multiline_pyonly/doubletime_multiline_pyonly.theme.bash b/themes/doubletime_multiline_pyonly/doubletime_multiline_pyonly.theme.bash
index 0fe0eff486..a2a5884c8f 100644
--- a/themes/doubletime_multiline_pyonly/doubletime_multiline_pyonly.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/doubletime_multiline_pyonly/doubletime_multiline_pyonly.theme.bash
@@ -2,9 +2,19 @@
 
 source "$BASH_IT/themes/doubletime/doubletime.theme.bash"
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 function prompt_setter() {
-  # Save history
-  _save-and-reload-history 1
   PS1="
 $(clock_prompt) $(scm_char) [$THEME_PROMPT_HOST_COLOR\u@${THEME_PROMPT_HOST}$reset_color] $(virtualenv_prompt)
 \w
diff --git a/themes/font/font.theme.bash b/themes/font/font.theme.bash
index 2dbccceadd..d611745bce 100644
--- a/themes/font/font.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/font/font.theme.bash
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ USER_HOST_THEME_PROMPT_SUFFIX=" "
 VIRTUALENV_THEME_PROMPT_PREFIX='('
 VIRTUALENV_THEME_PROMPT_SUFFIX=') '
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+
 function prompt_command() {
     # This needs to be first to save last command return code
     local RC="$?"
@@ -55,10 +65,8 @@ function prompt_command() {
         ret_status="${bold_red}"
     fi
 
-    # Append new history lines to history file
-    history -a
-
     PS1="$(clock_prompt)${virtualenv}$(user_host_prompt)${bold_cyan}\W $(scm_prompt_char_info)${ret_status}→ ${normal}"
 }
 
+save_append_preexec _bash-it-history-auto-save
 safe_append_prompt_command prompt_command
diff --git a/themes/nwinkler/nwinkler.theme.bash b/themes/nwinkler/nwinkler.theme.bash
index 983c8d0020..2f424f6ce2 100644
--- a/themes/nwinkler/nwinkler.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/nwinkler/nwinkler.theme.bash
@@ -16,6 +16,18 @@
 # since 'fasd' is messing with the $PROMPT_COMMAND
 
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 PROMPT_END_CLEAN="${green}→${reset_color}"
 PROMPT_END_DIRTY="${red}→${reset_color}"
 
@@ -28,8 +40,6 @@ prompt_setter() {
   if [[ $exit_status -eq 0 ]]; then PROMPT_END=$PROMPT_END_CLEAN
     else PROMPT_END=$PROMPT_END_DIRTY
   fi
-  # Save history
-  _save-and-reload-history 1
   PS1="($(clock_prompt)) $(scm_char) [${blue}\u${reset_color}@${green}\H${reset_color}] ${yellow}\w${reset_color}$(scm_prompt_info) ${reset_color}\n$(prompt_end) "
   PS2='> '
   PS4='+ '
diff --git a/themes/nwinkler_random_colors/nwinkler_random_colors.theme.bash b/themes/nwinkler_random_colors/nwinkler_random_colors.theme.bash
index 05391b0b7b..16c79448c8 100644
--- a/themes/nwinkler_random_colors/nwinkler_random_colors.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/nwinkler_random_colors/nwinkler_random_colors.theme.bash
@@ -95,13 +95,23 @@ prompt_setter() {
   if [[ $exit_status -eq 0 ]]; then PROMPT_END=$PROMPT_END_CLEAN
     else PROMPT_END=$PROMPT_END_DIRTY
   fi
-  # Save history
-  _save-and-reload-history 1
   PS1="($(clock_prompt)${reset_color}) $(scm_char) [${USERNAME_COLOR}\u${reset_color}@${HOSTNAME_COLOR}\H${reset_color}] ${PATH_COLOR}\w${reset_color}$(scm_prompt_info) ${reset_color}\n$(prompt_end) "
   PS2='> '
   PS4='+ '
 }
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 safe_append_prompt_command prompt_setter
 
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_DIRTY=" ${bold_red}✗${normal}"
diff --git a/themes/pete/pete.theme.bash b/themes/pete/pete.theme.bash
index e55ad6ebc1..85947d564b 100644
--- a/themes/pete/pete.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/pete/pete.theme.bash
@@ -7,12 +7,20 @@ function prompt_setter() {
 	scm_char="$(scm_char)"
 	scm_prompt_info="$(scm_prompt_info)"
 	ruby_version_prompt="$(ruby_version_prompt)"
-	_save-and-reload-history 1 # Save history
 	PS1="(${clock_prompt}) ${scm_char} [${blue?}\u${reset_color?}@${green?}\H${reset_color?}] ${yellow?}\w${reset_color?}${scm_prompt_info}${ruby_version_prompt} ${reset_color?} "
 	PS2='> '
 	PS4='+ '
 }
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+	*'auto'*)
+		: # Do nothing, already configured.
+		;;
+	*)
+		# Append new history lines to history file
+		HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+		;;
+esac
 safe_append_prompt_command prompt_setter
 
 SCM_THEME_PROMPT_DIRTY=" ✗"
diff --git a/themes/powerline-plain/powerline-plain.base.bash b/themes/powerline-plain/powerline-plain.base.bash
index ce91ef899c..60aa27ae71 100644
--- a/themes/powerline-plain/powerline-plain.base.bash
+++ b/themes/powerline-plain/powerline-plain.base.bash
@@ -1,5 +1,18 @@
+# shellcheck shell=bash
 . "$BASH_IT/themes/powerline/powerline.base.bash"
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 function __powerline_left_segment {
   local OLD_IFS="${IFS}"; IFS="|"
   local params=( $1 )
@@ -34,8 +47,6 @@ function __powerline_prompt_command {
   LAST_SEGMENT_COLOR=""
   PROMPT_AFTER="${POWERLINE_PROMPT_AFTER}"
 
-  _save-and-reload-history "${HISTORY_AUTOSAVE:-0}"
-
   ## left prompt ##
   for segment in $POWERLINE_PROMPT; do
     local info="$(__powerline_${segment}_prompt)"
diff --git a/themes/rainbowbrite/rainbowbrite.theme.bash b/themes/rainbowbrite/rainbowbrite.theme.bash
index 07e5843fcf..826baf002e 100644
--- a/themes/rainbowbrite/rainbowbrite.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/rainbowbrite/rainbowbrite.theme.bash
@@ -5,9 +5,19 @@
 # ± ~/path/to (branch ✓) $
 # in glorious red / blue / yellow color scheme
 
+case $HISTCONTROL in
+*'auto'*)
+	: # Do nothing, already configured.
+	;;
+*)
+	# Append new history lines to history file
+	HISTCONTROL="${HISTCONTROL:-}${HISTCONTROL:+:}autosave"
+	;;
+esac
+safe_append_preexec '_bash-it-history-auto-load'
+safe_append_prompt_command '_bash-it-history-auto-save'
+
 prompt_setter() {
-  # Save history
-  _save-and-reload-history 1
   # displays user@server in purple
   # PS1="$red$(scm_char) $purple\u@\h$reset_color:$blue\w$yellow$(scm_prompt_info)$(ruby_version_prompt) $black\$$reset_color "
   # no user@server