Jump! Quick directory change at the command line

Jump! Quick directory change at the command line

Article from Issue 207/2018
Author(s):

Bd, autojump, and Fasd improve the workflow for command-line aficionados thanks to quick navigation in the filesystem.

With a little practice, working at the command line lets you feel the true power of Linux. However, the standard tools are not always as convenient as they are powerful, or as the user would hope.

If you frequently work at the command line, you most likely use the cd "change directory" command on a daily basis. In this article, I introduce a few helpers that promise greater convenience and speed, especially when changing directories in deeply nested paths. Bd, autojump, and Fasd are available as tools for different shells.

Inconvenient

The various Linux shells already provide some help with improved navigation in the command-line directory jungle, starting with finding out where you are. The pwd command helps by outputting your working directory's path. If you now want to jump up one or more levels, you can usually do this with:

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Command Line: autojump

    Autojump is a mature and widely available command-line tool for navigating your directory structure. We show you how it works.

  • Beyond cd

    For decades, cd has been a Linux workhorse, but modern drives sometimes call for more efficient navigation tools. Read on for alternatives for advanced command-line navigation.

  • Smarter Navigation

    Zoxide, a modern version of cd, lets you navigate long directory paths with less typing.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News