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Bash CLI Keyboard Shortcuts

May 23, 2023 — Gregg Szumowski

Here are some quick keyboard shortcuts you can use at the command prompt:


ctrl-l -- clear screen
ctrl-r -- does a search in the previously given commands so that you don't have to repeat long command.
ctrl-u -- clears the typing before the hotkey.
ctrl-a -- takes you to the begining of the command you are currently typing.
ctrl-e -- takes you to the end of the command you are currently typing in.
esc-b -- takes you back by one word while typing a command.
ctrl-c -- kills the current command or process.
ctrl-d -- kills the shell.
ctrl-h -- deletes one letter at a time from the command you are typing in.
ctrl-z -- puts the currently running process in background, the process can be brought back to run state by using fg command.
esc-p -- like ctrl-r lets you search through the previously given commands.
esc-. -- gives the last command you typed.

Tags: cli, motd