j

View documentation for the original command

$ tldr autojump

j [options] [directory_fragment]
j [options] -s | --stat
j [options] --add directory
j [options] --rm directory
j [options] --purge

-s, --stat
    Display statistics and the full list of directories stored in the database, including their weights.

-a, --add <directory>
    Manually add a specified directory to the autojump database, boosting its weight as if it were visited.

-r, --rm <directory>
    Remove a specific directory from the autojump database. This prevents future jumps to it.

-p, --purge
    Clear the entire autojump database, resetting all learned history and weights.

-h, --help
    Show the help message with available options and exit.

--version
    Display the autojump version information and exit.

The "j" command is not a standard built-in Linux utility; rather, it is most commonly associated with autojump, a popular command-line tool designed for intelligent directory navigation. autojump learns your directory usage patterns, allowing you to jump to frequently visited directories with minimal typing. Instead of typing lengthy cd commands, users can simply type j followed by a partial name of the target directory. The tool maintains a weighted database of visited directories, where weights are determined by factors such as frequency and recency of access. When you invoke j <directory_fragment>, it intelligently searches this database for the best matching directory and then changes your current working directory to that location. This significantly enhances productivity for users who frequently navigate complex file hierarchies. Its primary goal is to minimize keystrokes and mental effort required for directory traversal, making the command line experience much more fluid and efficient.

j is not a standard command included with most Linux distributions by default; it is a third-party utility (autojump) that requires separate installation. Its effectiveness depends on having an existing history of visited directories, meaning it won't be immediately useful upon first installation until you've navigated a few times. Furthermore, it integrates with your shell (e.g., Bash, Zsh) and often requires specific configuration in your shell's startup files (like ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc) to function correctly.

The core of autojump's intelligence lies in its ability to automatically update a directory database. Each time you use the standard cd command to change directories, autojump intercepts this action and records the visited path. It assigns a "weight" to each directory, which increases with frequency and recency of visits. When you invoke j with a partial name, it queries this weighted database, using a smart algorithm to find the directory with the highest weight that matches your input, ensuring you land in the most relevant location.

autojump was created by Jeremy Quast and first released around 2009. It emerged from the need for more efficient command-line directory navigation, moving beyond the limitations of traditional cd commands. The project aimed to create a 'fuzzy' directory matcher that learns from user behavior. Since its inception, it has been an open-source project with contributions from a community of users, adapting to support various shells and improving its matching algorithms to offer a seamless and intelligent directory jumping experience.

cd(1), pushd(1), popd(1), z(1), fasd(1)