What is dirs Linux command?

The dirs command in Linux is used to display the list of currently remembered directories in the directory stack. It enables users to navigate through directories efficiently by allowing them to push and pop directories onto and from the stack.

dirs Syntax:

dirs [-c] [+n] [-n]

dirs Options:

Option	Description
-c	Clear the directory stack
+n	Displays the nth entry from the directory stack
-n	Displays the nth entry from the directory stack starting from the top (opposite of +n)

Caution

Use caution when manipulating the directory stack with the dirs command, as improper usage might lead to unexpected results or errors.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
n	A number indicating the nth entry in the directory stack

dirs Command Usage Examples:

Print Current Directory Stack

dirs

This command prints the current directory stack.

Add a Directory to the Stack

dirs -p /home/user/directory

Adds the directory “/home/user/directory” to the directory stack.

Display Directory Stack with Indexes

dirs -v

Displays the directory stack along with indexes for each entry.

Remove Specific Directory from the Stack

dirs -c 2

Removes the directory at index 2 from the directory stack.

Clear Directory Stack

dirs -c

Clears the entire directory stack.

Tip

It’s important to note that the dirs command is used to display the directory stack, which can be navigated by using the pushd and popd commands. Understanding how to efficiently navigate this stack can greatly improve your productivity in the terminal.

How do I use dirs in Linux?

To use the dirs command in bash, execute the following command:

dirs

How can I clear the directory stack in Linux?

To clear the directory stack in bash, you can use the following command:

dirs -c

How do I display the directory stack in reverse order in Linux?

To display the directory stack in reverse order in bash, you can use the following command:

dirs -r

How can I limit the number of directories displayed by the dirs command?

To limit the number of directories displayed by the dirs command in bash, you can use the following command:

dirs -l 5

How do I display the directory stack with index numbers in Linux?

To display the directory stack with index numbers in bash, you can use the following command:

dirs -v

How can I navigate to a specific directory in the stack using the dirs command?

To navigate to a specific directory in the stack using the dirs command in bash, you can use the following command:

cd $(dirs +2)

How do I swap the top two directories in the stack using the dirs command?

To swap the top two directories in the stack using the dirs command in bash, you can use the following command:

dirs -s

Applications of the dirs command

• List recently visited directories
• Change the directory stack order
• Navigate between recently visited directories
• Clear the directory stack