Bash CLI Shortcuts and Tricks

Shortcuts

ctrl-c              # Kill a running command
ctrl-d              # Exit shell session
tab or tab-tab      # Tab Completion
ctrl-L, clear       # Clearing your terminal

# Cursor Movement
ctrl-a, ctrl-e      # Move to beginning or end of line
alt-f, alt-b        # Move forward or back one word

# Search hitory
ctrl-r              # Searching through shell history. Repeat ctrl-r for next
ctrl-g              # Return back where you're typing

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Tricks

sudo !! # Re-run previous command with 'sudo' prepended

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Killing and Yanking text

ctrl-k              # Kill (cut) to the end of line
ctrl-y              # Yank the text back i.e. what you've just cut
ctrl-u              # Kill to the beginning of line
ctrl-w              # Kill backwards word-by-word

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A Practical example

# You forgot to type sudo
apt update

# instead of ctrl-a and type 'sudo'
ctrl-u
sudo
ctrl-y

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Replace ‘tail’ with ‘less’

tail -f /var/log/syslog
less +F /var/log/syslog
ctrl-c                      # detach
shift-f                     # attach (to the end)
ctrl-c q                    # exit

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Edit the Current Command in an Editor (ctrl-x-e)

HOSTS="8.8.8.8 4.4.4.4 8.8.4.4"
for host in $HOSTS; do
ctrl-x-e # open editor with what you've typed
# use with vi or emacs
echo $EDITOR

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Paste the Argument of the Previous Command (alt-.)

ping 8.8.8.8
ctrl-c
mtr --curses alt-.
# curses is a text user interface (TUI)

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Unbork the Terminal

# You don't want to close the terminal
reset

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