How to Command the Bash Search History

Navigate Bash command line history.

Bash is the most common command line shell included in Linux and Unix systems. Because most administration work in Linux and Unix takes place on a command line, it is handy to be able to view and navigate through a history of the commands that have been issued. Bash includes several commands to both view and navigate the command line history.

Instructions

1. Log in to a Linux or Unix computer that is running the Bash shell.

2. Type "history" on the command line and press the "Enter" key to view the complete command line history.

3. Press the "CTRL" and the "R" keys at the same time to move backwards in the command line history.

4. Press the "CTRL" and the "R" keys at the same time to move backwards multiple commands at a time in the command line history.

5. Press the "ALT" and the "<" keys at the same time to jump to the first line in the command line history.

6. Press the "ALT" and the ">" keys at the same time to jump to the last line in the command line history.

7. Press the "ALT" and the "n" keys at the same time to search history forward non-incremental.

8. Press the "ALT" and the "p" keys at the same time to search history backward non-incremental.

References

• All about Linux:Bash Shell Shortcuts
• Ubuntu Geek:How to View bash shell history and Change bash history file size in Ubuntu
• UnixCraft:Linux and Unix view command-line history