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Atlas · Foundations shell-command

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Shell Command

A shell command asks the shell to perform an action, often by running a tool with arguments.

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Reviewed videos and Shorts

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    Beginner field notes

    Choose explanation level
    • A shell command is an instruction for the active shell. Its spelling and meaning depend on that shell.
    • In the simple example cd ./notes, cd names the command and ./notes supplies its folder argument.
    • In a POSIX-style shell, pwd reports an absolute working-directory path. That printed path is output, not another command to enter.
    See a worked example

    Ask where this shell is working

    One reviewed sample, shared across levels. Nothing here runs on your computer.

    Example review recorded 2026-10-07 · version 1.

    Example input · do not paste
    pwd
    Example output · do not paste
    /home/learner/human-lab

    Example output only. In a POSIX-style shell, pwd prints your actual current directory. For a PowerShell filesystem session, use Get-Location and expect its own output format.

    Sources for this sample

    Where does this instruction go?

    A Terminal window can show a shell or run Claude Code. Check which program is ready for your input; the window’s name or a single prompt symbol is not enough.

    Ask your coding assistant
    A plain-language request goes in the assistant’s conversation. It can run a command only if that tool and your permission are available.
    Claude Code command
    A Claude Code slash command, such as /plugin, belongs at the Claude Code prompt. It is not a shell command or a command for every chat website.
    Computer terminal · shell prompt
    A shell command belongs in a shell, such as zsh or Bash. On a Mac, use Terminal or an editor’s integrated terminal with a shell ready for input.

    Copying does not run anything. Read the instruction’s purpose and destination before entering it. Example output is a result to read, not another command.

    Try one read-only step: find the current folder

    Choose one route. You do not need to install HWTL or make an account to read these steps.

    Ask your coding assistantAsk about the assistant’s working folder
    Paste this request into your coding assistant’s conversation.
    In this project, use a read-only shell command to show your current working folder and explain the result. Do not change files. If you cannot run a command, tell me.

    Or, at a Unix-style shell prompt on macOS or Linux:

    Computer terminal · shell promptShow this shell’s working folder
    Enter this at a shell prompt, outside an active coding-assistant conversation.
    pwd

    After entering pwd, press Enter and read the path it prints. Your path will differ from the sample lesson. In PowerShell, use Get-Location instead.

    Separate terminal tabs and the assistant’s command tools may use different working folders. Check the location in the session where the next command will run; do not assume they match. A plain chat without command tools can explain the step, but cannot run it for you.

    Visual

    The shell runs the command named pwd and displays the current path as output.

    The reviewed description and complete diagram source are available here.

    Read the complete diagram source

    This is the source for the reviewed diagram, not a command to run.

    flowchart LR
  C["Command name: pwd"] --> S["Shell runs command"]
  S --> P["Output: current path"]
    Full explanation and primary sources

    Reviewed explanation

    The shell reads a command line and decides what to run. For named commands such as pwd, the name identifies what to run and following words can supply arguments. Some commands are built into the shell; others start separate programs. The detailed syntax depends on the shell, so an example written for one shell is not automatically valid in another.

    For a first read-only example in a POSIX-style shell such as Bash or zsh, pwd prints the current working directory. It does not need an argument for this basic use. In PowerShell, Get-Location is the explicit command for showing the current location; PowerShell also supports providers beyond ordinary filesystem folders.

    Type only a command you intend to run, then press Enter to execute it. The text that appears afterwards is output. If a tool reports an error, read it before retrying or changing the command. The example path below is illustrative; your own location will usually be different.

    Source collection

    • POSIX.1-2024: Shell Command Language

      Used in: Quick notes · Worked example · Lesson text

      Prompt conventions, simple commands, quoting/expansion, command search, redirection, execution environment and pipeline boundaries.

      POSIX shell interpretation, simple command names and arguments, and builtin versus external utility execution.

    • POSIX.1-2024: cd

      Used in: Quick notes

      Current-shell directory changes, relative operands, CDPATH, logical/physical modes, unsuccessful changes, separate environments and the -P/-e exit-status exception.

    • POSIX.1-2024: pwd

      Used in: Quick notes · Worked example · Lesson text

      Reports an absolute working-directory pathname and defines -L/-P logical/physical behavior.

      pwd writes an absolute pathname of the current working directory.

    • Microsoft Learn: Get-Location (PowerShell 7.5)

      Used in: Worked example · Lesson text

      Get-Location reports the current PowerShell location, including provider/drive distinctions.

    Notes AI source review · 2026-10-17

    AI source comparison recorded 2026-10-07. Human learner validation is pending.

    Quick quiz · one question

    Keep the command name separate from its output

    Sample scenario. Synthetic POSIX-style shell with working pwd and a known working directory. No options, arguments, aliases, functions, symbolic links, or shell startup behavior are modeled.

    Host and interpreter
    A terminal window is displaying a POSIX-style shell session.
    Current folder
    /work/lesson-notes
    Tutorial command line
    $ pwd
    Prompt convention
    $ is the tutorial's shell prompt marker.

    You are working in /work/lesson-notes and enter plain pwd. Which command name and output should this sample produce?

    Answers stay on this device.

    Sources and exercise scope

    Original synthetic exercise. AI comparison against primary documentation recorded on 2026-10-08; the references above state their scope. Human learner validation has not been run. A result here records this attempt; it does not establish mastery.

    Follow this learning pathLesson 6 of 8

    From project files to a small program

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    Reference notes · file removal and public access

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    Understand what can change

    These reviewed public notes are available to everyone. They do not establish that an operation ran or inspect your files, backups or permissions.

    File removal

    Before deleting files: deleting a file can remove it without putting it in Trash or a recycle bin, and recovery is not guaranteed. Check the intended targets and whether a usable backup or recovery option exists before continuing.

    Sources for this note

    Public access

    Before making a resource public: public read access can let anyone view the exposed content, and public write access can allow changes to data. Check the actual audience, exposed content and allowed operations before continuing. This guidance does not inspect or change your permissions.

    Sources for this note

    A link can carry these public reference topics in its fragment. Page scripts, extensions, browser history and copied links can read them. This page attempts to minimize that fragment when JavaScript runs; reloading afterward can lose the selection. No project details or conversation text belong in a lesson link. Privacy details.