cd
TLDR
Change to directory
$ cd [/path/to/directory]
Go to home directory$ cd
Go to previous directory$ cd -
Go up one directory$ cd ..
Go up two directories$ cd ../..
SYNOPSIS
cd [directory]
DESCRIPTION
cd (change directory) is a shell built-in command that changes the current working directory. It updates the shell's current directory and the PWD environment variable.
The command is fundamental for navigating the filesystem in shell sessions.
PARAMETERS
directory
Path to change to (default: $HOME)-
Change to previous directory (OLDPWD)-L
Follow symbolic links (default)-P
Use physical directory structure
SPECIAL DIRECTORIES
~
Home directory ($HOME)~user
Specified user's home directory.
Current directory..
Parent directory-
Previous directory
WORKFLOW
$ # Go to home directory
cd
cd ~
# Go to specific directory
cd /etc
# Go to relative directory
cd Documents
cd ../Downloads
# Go back to previous directory
cd -
# Go up multiple levels
cd ../../..
# Use variables
cd $HOME/Projects
cd ${MYDIR}
cd
cd ~
# Go to specific directory
cd /etc
# Go to relative directory
cd Documents
cd ../Downloads
# Go back to previous directory
cd -
# Go up multiple levels
cd ../../..
# Use variables
cd $HOME/Projects
cd ${MYDIR}
ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
PWD
Current working directoryOLDPWD
Previous working directoryHOME
User's home directoryCDPATH
Search path for cd command
CAVEATS
Shell built-in (behavior varies by shell). Spaces in paths need quoting. Symbolic links can be confusing (-P vs -L). No cd command history by default. Cannot cd to files, only directories.
HISTORY
cd has been a shell built-in command since the earliest Unix shells in the 1970s, essential for directory navigation.
