exit

Exit with the exit status of the most recently executed command

$ exit

$ exit [exit_code]

exit [n]

n
    Optional integer (0-255) specifying the exit status. Defaults to last command's status.

The exit command is a core shell builtin in Unix-like systems, designed to terminate the current shell process or script execution. Invoked without arguments, it causes the shell to exit using the status code of the most recent command (0 typically indicates success, non-zero failure). Providing an integer argument n sets the explicit exit status, which is returned to the parent process.

In interactive shells, exit (or Ctrl+D) logs out the user from login shells, running logout procedures like clearing history or executing /etc/logout scripts. In non-interactive scripts, it halts execution immediately, making it essential for error handling, such as if ! command; then exit 1; fi.

As a builtin (not an external binary), exit is available in all POSIX-compliant shells like Bash, Zsh, Dash, and Ksh. It supports exit codes 0-255; higher values may be truncated. In functions or sourced files (. file), exit propagates to the parent shell, unlike return which only exits the function. POSIX mandates its behavior for portability.

Common in automation, CI/CD pipelines, and daemons to signal completion or errors cleanly.

No options/flags supported (builtin only). Exits parent shell if used in sourced scripts. In traps, terminates shell immediately. Non-zero codes above 255 may wrap around.

exit 0
# Exit successfully exit 1
# Exit with error if ! grep pattern file; then exit 127 fi

Type exit or press Ctrl+D to logout from terminal.

Originated in Thompson Shell (Version 7 Unix, 1979). Evolved through Bourne Shell (1977 standards). Standardized in POSIX.1-1988 for portability across shells.

bash(1), dash(1), logout(1), return(1)