dirs

dirs [-clpv] [+n] [-n]

dirs displays the directory stack managed by pushd and popd. The stack provides a way to remember and return to previously visited directories without typing full paths.The directory stack is a list where the top (leftmost in default view) is the current directory. Each pushd adds to the stack and changes to that directory; popd removes from the stack and returns to the previous directory.Combined with +n and -n notation, you can reference directories by position, enabling quick navigation in complex directory structures.

-c

Clear the directory stack.

Display full paths (no ~ abbreviation).

Print one directory per line.

Print with index numbers, one per line.

Display nth entry from left (0 = top).

Display nth entry from right (0 = bottom).

dirs is a bash/zsh builtin; behavior may vary in other shells. The stack is per-shell and doesn't persist across sessions. POSIX sh doesn't include directory stack functionality. The ~ abbreviation depends on the HOME environment variable.

The directory stack concept originated in the C shell (csh) developed at UC Berkeley in the late 1970s. The pushd, popd, and dirs commands were designed by Bill Joy to simplify navigation. These commands were adopted by bash and other shells, becoming standard tools for power users managing complex directory structures.

pushd(1), popd(1), cd(1), pwd(1)