Maximize your efficiency in the terminal with these handy Bash history commands and shortcuts. Quickly access, search, and rerun commands like a pro.

Basic History Commands

• View Command History: history
  • Displays your recent command history with line numbers.
• Clear Command History: history -c
  • Clears your current session’s command history.

Re-executing Commands

• Execute Last Command: !!
  • Immediately rerun the most recent command.
• Execute Command by Number: !number
  • Rerun a command by its history number (e.g., !42).
• Execute Last Command Starting with…: !string
  • Rerun the most recent command starting with string (e.g., !ls).

Advanced History Navigation

• Reverse Search: ctrl+r
  • Dynamically search through command history as you type. Press ctrl+r again to search further back.
• Navigate Using Arrow Keys:
  • Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through previously executed commands.

Editing Before Re-executing

• Edit Last Command Before Running: fc
  • Opens the last command in your default editor for modifications before executing.
• Edit Specific Command by Number: fc number
  • Edit a command by its history number in your default editor (e.g., fc 42).

Tips for Efficient History Use

• Increase History Size: If you find yourself needing more history, you can increase the size by adding the following lines to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile:

  HISTSIZE=10000
  HISTFILESIZE=20000

• Secure Your History: Be cautious with sensitive information in commands, especially when using sudo. History commands can be inadvertently rerun.
• Customize and Extend: Bash history is highly customizable. Explore HISTCONTROL, HISTIGNORE, and other environment variables for a tailored experience.

Final Thoughts

Leveraging the power of Bash history enhances your command line efficiency and saves time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, these commands and shortcuts are invaluable tools in your arsenal.