NAME

cd − change working directory

SYNOPSIS

cd [ directory ]

DESCRIPTION

If directory is not specified, the value of shell parameter $HOME is used as the new working directory.  If directory specifies a complete path starting with /, ., .., directory becomes the new working directory.  If neither case applies, cd tries to find the designated directory relative to one of the paths specified by the $CDPATH shell variable.  $CDPATH has the same syntax as, and similar semantics to, the $PATH shell variable.  Cd must have execute (search) permission in directory.

Because a new process is created to execute each command, cd would be ineffective if it were written as a normal command; therefore, it is recognized and is internal to the shell. 

EXAMPLES

To change the working directory to a directory at a lower level, type:

cd directoryname

To change the working directory to a directory at the same level, type:

cd ../directoryname

To change the working directory from /mnt/colors/blue/green/purple  to the home directory /mnt/colors, type:

cd

VARIABLES

SEE ALSO

pwd(1), sh(1), chdir(2). 

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

8-bit filenames, messages. 

Hewlett-Packard Company  —  Version B.1,  May 11, 2021