cd (change directory) in Linux CLI - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

When you work in a command line, you often need to move between folders to find files or run programs. The cd command helps you change your current folder to another one so you can work there.

When you want to open a folder to see or work with its files.

When you need to run a program or script located in a different folder.

When you want to organize your work by moving into project-specific folders.

When you want to go back to your home folder quickly.

When you want to move up one level in the folder structure.

Commands

This command changes your current folder to /usr/local/bin so you can work with files there.

Terminal

cd /usr/local/bin

Expected Output

No output (command runs silently)

This command shows the full path of your current folder to confirm you changed directories.

Terminal

pwd

Expected Output

/usr/local/bin

This command moves you up one folder level from your current location.

Terminal

cd ..

Expected Output

No output (command runs silently)

Check your current folder again to see that you moved up one level.

Terminal

pwd

Expected Output

/usr/local

This command takes you back to your home folder quickly.

Terminal

cd ~

Expected Output

No output (command runs silently)

Confirm you are now in your home folder.

Terminal

pwd

Expected Output

/home/username

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else, remember: cd changes your current folder so you can work in different places on your computer.

Common Mistakes

Typing cd with a folder name that does not exist.

The command fails because the folder is not found, so you stay in the same place.

Check the folder name carefully or use ls to list folders before changing directory.

Using cd without any arguments expecting it to go to root folder.

cd without arguments goes to your home folder, not root.

Use cd / to go to the root folder explicitly.

Forgetting that folder names are case sensitive.

cd fails if the folder name case does not match exactly.

Type folder names exactly as they appear, respecting uppercase and lowercase letters.

Summary

Use cd followed by a folder path to move to that folder.

Use cd .. to move up one folder level.

Use cd ~ to quickly return to your home folder.

Practice

1. What does the command cd .. do in a Linux terminal?

easy

A. Moves you to your home directory

B. Moves you up one directory level

C. Moves you to the root directory

D. Lists files in the current directory

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of .. in directory paths

   The .. symbol means the parent directory, which is one level up from the current directory.

2. Step 2: Apply cd .. command

   Using cd .. changes the current directory to its parent directory, effectively moving you up one level.

3. Final Answer:

   Moves you up one directory level -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   cd .. = move up one folder [OK]

Hint: Remember: '..' means parent folder, so cd .. goes up [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking cd .. moves to home directory
• Confusing cd .. with cd / (root)
• Using cd .. to list files

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to change to your home directory?

easy

A. cd ~

B. cd ..

C. cd /home

D. cd -

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the symbol for home directory

   The tilde ~ is a shortcut for the current user's home directory in Linux.

2. Step 2: Check the command syntax

   cd ~ correctly changes the directory to the home folder. Other options either go up one level, to root, or previous directory.

3. Final Answer:

   cd ~ -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   cd ~ = go home [OK]

Hint: Use ~ to quickly jump to home directory [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using cd .. to go home instead of up one level
• Using cd /home which may not be correct for all users
• Using cd - which goes to previous directory

3. If your current directory is /home/user/docs and you run cd ../pictures, what will be your new directory?

medium

A. /home/pictures

B. /home/user/docs/pictures

C. /home/user/pictures

D. /pictures

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the starting directory and command

   Current directory is /home/user/docs. The command cd ../pictures means go up one level to /home/user then into pictures.

2. Step 2: Calculate the new directory path

   Going up one level from /home/user/docs is /home/user. Adding pictures gives /home/user/pictures.

3. Final Answer:

   /home/user/pictures -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   cd ../pictures = up one + pictures folder [OK]

Hint: cd ../folder means go up then into folder [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Appending pictures inside current directory instead of parent
• Going to root or home by mistake
• Ignoring the .. and staying in same folder

4. You try to run cd myfolder but get an error: bash: cd: myfolder: No such file or directory. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You are already in 'myfolder' and can't cd into it again

B. You must use absolute path to change directory

C. You need to use 'cd ./myfolder' instead

D. The folder 'myfolder' does not exist in the current directory

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   The error says 'No such file or directory', meaning the folder named 'myfolder' is not found in the current directory.

2. Step 2: Check the folder existence and path

   Since 'myfolder' is not present, the command fails. Using relative or absolute path won't help unless the folder exists.

3. Final Answer:

   The folder 'myfolder' does not exist in the current directory -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Error means folder missing, so cd fails [OK]

Hint: Check folder exists before cd to avoid errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming cd ./myfolder fixes missing folder error
• Thinking you can't cd into current folder
• Believing absolute path is always required

5. You want to write a script that always starts in your home directory, then moves into a folder named projects inside it. Which sequence of commands is correct?

hard

A. cd ~\ncd projects

B. cd projects\ncd ~

C. cd /projects\ncd ~

D. cd ..\ncd projects

Solution

1. Step 1: Start in home directory

   Using cd ~ moves the shell to the user's home directory regardless of current location.

2. Step 2: Move into 'projects' folder inside home

   After being in home, cd projects moves into the 'projects' folder located there.

3. Final Answer:

   cd ~\ncd projects -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Home then projects folder = cd ~ then cd projects [OK]

Hint: Always cd ~ first to ensure starting at home [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Changing to projects before home, causing errors
• Using absolute path /projects which may not exist
• Using cd .. which goes up instead of home