Conquer The Command Line: The pwd Command

Jim Homme
1 min readDec 3, 2020

--

How to use the Linux pwd command plus essential options

In this installment of “Conquer The Command Line” we talk about how to use the Linux pwd command and why it's good to have it in your pocket.

Sometimes the prompt line, the line on which the cursor sits, shows the directory in which you are working. That depends on how the prompt was set up. The only thing on the command line may be a % sign, which isn't too helpful. That's why you will be happy to learn about the pwd command. Note for Windows people. "directory" is the same as "folder." When you hear "directory," think "folder."

Whenever you want to make the system tell you the directory in which you are working, simply type the following command:

pwd

Memory Aid:

Think “print working directory.”

Essential Options

On my system, the default option is P, which shows the path. Your system may have other options. Check to see which options your system has by using the man command.

What Now?

Hopefully this post has helped you take one more step in conquering the command line. I welcome any feedback.

This post was originally written at https://www.jimhomme.com

--

--

Jim Homme

Musician, father of three, husband. Information Technology veteran. Bookworm. Chess player. Accessibility consultant. Plain language advocate