Understanding the cd Command

Basic Usage of cd

The cd command is used to change directories in Linux. The most basic form of the command is:

cd [directory]

This will change the current working directory to the one specified.

Options Available with cd

cd (No Arguments)

Returns you to your home directory:

cd

cd .. (Parent Directory)

Moves you one level up to the parent directory:

cd ..

cd /path/to/directory (Absolute Path)

Navigates to a directory using an absolute path:

cd /home/user/Documents

cd directory_name (Relative Path)

Navigates to a directory using a relative path:

cd Documents

cd - (Previous Directory)

Switches to the last directory you were in:

cd -

cd ~ (Home Directory)

Navigates to your home directory:

cd ~

cd ../.. (Move Two Levels Up)

Moves two levels up in the directory structure:

cd ../..

Summary of Options

Option Description
cd Go to the home directory.
cd .. Go up one directory level.
cd /path/to/directory Go to a directory using an absolute path.
cd directory_name Go to a directory using a relative path.
cd - Go to the previous directory.
cd ~ Go to the home directory (equivalent to cd).
cd ../.. Move two levels up in the directory structure.

Manual Pages

For more detailed information, use the manual page for the cd command:

man cd