Command Line Navigation

Overview

Navigation is the foundation of working in a shell: you always operate from a "current working directory," and every command runs relative to it. Knowing how to move between folders, see where you are, and list contents lets you do everything else with confidence. Getting comfortable here removes most of the fear beginners have of the terminal.

Syntax / Usage

Use pwd to print your location, ls to list contents, and cd to change directory.

pwd                 # print working directory
ls                  # list files in current directory
ls -la              # long format, including hidden dotfiles
cd /etc             # go to an absolute path
cd projects         # go to a subdirectory (relative path)
cd ..               # go up one level to the parent
cd ~                # go to your home directory
cd -                # jump back to the previous directory

Examples

Check where you are, then look at everything including hidden files:

pwd
ls -la

Move into a nested project folder and confirm the move:

cd ~/code/stackademic
pwd

Bounce between two directories while comparing files:

cd /var/log
cd ~/notes
cd -            # returns to /var/log

Common Mistakes

• Confusing absolute paths (start with /) and relative paths (start from where you are)
• Forgetting that ls hides dotfiles unless you pass -a
• Typing cd.. without a space; the command is cd ..
• Assuming cd with no argument fails — it actually returns you home
• Not using tab completion, leading to typos in long directory names

See Also

command-line-files-and-directories command-line-environment-variables