A modern cd command
Command Line – zoxide

© Lead Image © alexandragl,, 123RF.com
Zoxide, a modern version of cd, lets you navigate long directory paths with less typing.
In most shells, the main navigation utility is cd
(change directory). Generally, cd
is built into the shell, which is why it does not have its own man page like other commands. The lack of a man page is usually not noticed, because the bare cd
is all that most users need. However, when directories have multiple levels, cd
can require tedious typing, especially when you have to travel up the directory structure and down another branch. A modern version of cd
, zoxide, changes all that by using a database that, once set up, requires the typing of only the last directory in the path.
To get its results, zoxide relies on an algorithm based on how often a directory is accessed. When first added to the database, a directory is given a score of 1
. Each time it is accessed, its score rises by one. When a query is made, a directory adds 4
if accessed in the last hour and 2
if accessed in the last day or last week. The higher the value, the most likely a directory is to be the one sought. When the database reaches the maximum number of entries, it reassigns the frequency of access and deletes any directory that falls below 1
.
Installation and Configuration
Zoxide is available in many distributions, as well as on multiple platforms and in multiple package formats. However, installing the package is just the beginning. To be functional, zoxide requires at least some configuration.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
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.

News
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.