pwd
Files and directories
Usage
pwd [-P]Prints the directory you are standing in; if you walked in through a symlink it shows the link path, and only -P gives the real one.
Common flags
| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -L | Print the logical path from $PWD, symlinks kept (default) |
| -P | Print the physical path with every symlink resolved |
Examples
pwdWhich directory am I standing in.
pwd -PThe real path when you walked in through a symlink.
Moving, deleting and finding. Some of these do not ask twice, which is why -i becomes a habit.
How to read this
- Square brackets [ ] mark a part you may leave out.
- An ellipsis … means you can list more than one.
- Flags are case-sensitive — in some commands -r and -R do different things.
Questions
Q. What does pwd do?
Prints the directory you are standing in; if you walked in through a symlink it shows the link path, and only -P gives the real one.
Q. How do I type it?
pwd [-P] — square brackets mark the parts you can leave out.
Q. How many flags are worth knowing?
2 are listed here; the full set is in man pwd. This command sits under Files and directories.
Related commands
man page: man pwd