How can I customize the appearance of my command line prompt in Ubuntu?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around customizing the appearance of the command line prompt in Ubuntu, specifically how to modify it so that only the current directory is displayed instead of the full pathname. The conversation includes technical explanations and personal experiences related to this customization.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to change the command line prompt to show only the current directory instead of the full pathname.
  • Another participant suggests editing the PS1 variable in the bash configuration file (.bashrc) to achieve the desired prompt appearance.
  • A participant confirms that editing .bashrc worked for them and they successfully modified their prompt.
  • One participant provides a link to a resource with explanations and examples of prompt customization but expresses caution about changing default settings, citing personal experience with reverting to default prompts over time.
  • A later reply acknowledges the previous suggestion and confirms they achieved their goal of simplifying the prompt.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method to customize the prompt using the PS1 variable, but there is a difference in opinion regarding the necessity and implications of changing default settings, with some cautioning against it based on personal experience.

Contextual Notes

There is an implicit assumption that users are familiar with editing configuration files and the potential risks associated with modifying default settings in Unix-like systems.

J77
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How do I set my system so that the entire pathname doesn't appear on the command line -- just the directory I'm in?

eg. at the moment:

me@me:/~$dir1/dir2/dir3

What I want is:

:dir3/

(I know I'm me :biggrin:)
 
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On what system?
In Ubuntu I know you would edit the $1 variable in the bash config file (~/bashrc or ~/.bashrc or something like that). It determines what shows up on the command line. I'm on a Windows system now thought, so I can't test it.
 
Sorry -- yes, ubuntu

.bashrc worked, thanks :)
 
Last edited:
The prompt appearance is set by PS1[/color] environment variable. You can play with it in the current terminal window to get it to behave as you would like, and then write it for good into ~/.bashrc. The explanation of all elements and a few examples are given at http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Bash-Prompt-HOWTO/bash-prompt-escape-sequences.html

However...

J77 said:
(I know I'm me :)
...this is a bold claim :)

Experience in Unix shell usage is decades long, and the default settings reflect that. They are best left untouched unless one really knows what he is doing. Several years ago, I had the exact same "hey, it's too long" urge to change the shell prompt, and guess what, these days I am using the default prompt (note that in the final example on the link above, the user set yet even longer prompt).

--
Chusslove Illich (Часлав Илић)
 
Thanks Chusslove.

Indeed, I played with the PS1 = ... and got it as I wanted: just a $ on the command line with the full path in the xterm title :smile:
 
CompuChip said:
On what system?
In Ubuntu I know you would edit the $1 variable
caslav.ilic said:
The prompt appearance is set by PS1[/color] environment variable.
Err, that's what I meant :blushing:
 

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