Linux: Bash Keys

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Moving cursor

Ctrl+b
backward a character
Ctrl+f
forward a character
Alt+b
backward word. Or Ctrl+
Alt+f
forward word. Or Ctrl+
Ctrl+a
move to beginning of line
Ctrl+e
move to end of line

Deleting

Ctrl+h
delete backward 1 char
Ctrl+d
delete forward 1 char
Alt+Backspace ⌫
delete word backward
Alt+d
delete word forward
Ctrl+u
delete to beginning of line
Ctrl+k
delete to end of line

Paste

Ctrl+y
paste. (deleted word or line can be pasted)

Search Command History

Ctrl+r
interactive search backward command history. (can press it multiple times)
Ctrl+s
search forward command history
Ctrl+c
exit search
Esc
exit search with current choice
previous command
next command (after you pressed )

Bash keys are a subset of emacs keys. [see Emacs Keys Basics]

Exit Shell

Ctrl+d
exit shell (must be first input to prompt)

Job Control Keys

Ctrl+c
terminate current foreground process (SIGINT)
Ctrl+z
suspend current foreground process (SIGTSTP)

Terminal Control Sequence Keys

Ctrl+l
clear screen (must be first input to prompt)