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[Skip to main content](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/#main-content)  - Light - Dark - Auto Learner View - Instructor View *** Menu  The Unix Shell - The Unix Shell - [Key Points](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/key-points.html) - [Glossary](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/reference.html#glossary) - [Learner Profiles](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/profiles.html) - More - [Discussion](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/discuss.html) - [Summary of Basic Commands](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/reference.html) - [Additional Resources](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/resources.html) [Search the All In One page](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/aio.html) The Unix Shell % Toggle Theme - Light - Dark - Auto ## Learner View [Instructor View](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/instructor/index.html) *** ## EPISODES Current Chapter Summary and Setup - [Download files](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/#download-files) - [Install software](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/#install-software) - [Open a new shell](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/#open-a-new-shell) [1\. Introducing the Shell](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/01-intro.html) [2\. Navigating Files and Directories](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/02-filedir.html) [3\. Working With Files and Directories](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/03-create.html) [4\. Pipes and Filters](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/04-pipefilter.html) [5\. Loops](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/05-loop.html) [6\. Shell Scripts](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/06-script.html) [7\. Finding Things](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/07-find.html) *** ## RESOURCES - [Key Points](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/key-points.html) - [Glossary](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/reference.html#glossary) - [Learner Profiles](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/profiles.html) - [Discussion](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/discuss.html) - [Summary of Basic Commands](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/reference.html) - [Additional Resources](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/resources.html) *** [See all in one page](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/aio.html) *** [Next](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/01-intro.html) [Next: Introducing the...](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/01-intro.html) *** # Summary and Setup The Unix shell has been around longer than most of its users have been alive. It has survived because it’s a powerful tool that allows users to perform complex and powerful tasks, often with just a few keystrokes or lines of code. It helps users automate repetitive tasks and easily combine smaller tasks into larger, more powerful workflows. Use of the shell is fundamental to a wide range of advanced computing tasks, including high-performance computing. These lessons will introduce you to this powerful tool. Prerequisite ### Prerequisites This lesson guides you through the basics of file systems and the shell. If you have stored files on a computer at all and recognize the word “file” and either “directory” or “folder” (two common words for the same thing), you’re ready for this lesson. ## Download files *** You need to download some files to follow this lesson. 1. Download [shell-lesson-data.zip](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/data/shell-lesson-data.zip) and move the file to your Desktop. 2. Unzip/extract the file. **Let your instructor know if you need help with this step**. You should end up with a new folder called **`shell-lesson-data`** on your Desktop. ## Install software *** If you do not already have the shell software installed, you will need to [download and install](https://carpentries.github.io/workshop-template/install_instructions/#shell) it. ## Open a new shell *** After installing the software 1. Open a terminal. If you’re not sure how to open a terminal on your operating system, see the instructions below. 2. In the terminal type `cd` then press the `Return` key. This step will make sure you start with your home folder as your working directory. In the lesson, you will find out how to access the data files in this folder. Callout ### Where to type commands: How to open a new shell The shell is a program that enables us to send commands to the computer and receive output. It is also referred to as the terminal or command line. Some computers include a default Unix Shell program. The steps below describe some methods for identifying and opening a Unix Shell program if you already have one installed. There are also options for identifying and downloading a Unix Shell program, a Linux/UNIX emulator, or a program to access a Unix Shell on a server. If none of the options below address your circumstances, try an online search for: Unix shell \[your computer model\] \[your operating system\]. #### Windows Computers with Windows operating systems do not automatically have a Unix Shell program installed. In this lesson, we encourage you to use an emulator included in [Git for Windows](https://carpentries.github.io/workshop-template/install_instructions/#shell), which gives you access to both Bash shell commands and Git. Once installed, you can open a terminal by running the program Git Bash from the Windows start menu. **For advanced users:** As an alternative to Git for Windows you may wish to [Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install) which gives access to a Bash shell command-line tool in Windows 10 and above. Please note that commands in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) may differ slightly from those shown in the lesson or presented in the workshop. #### MacOS For a Mac computer running macOS Mojave or earlier releases, the default Unix Shell is Bash. For a Mac computer running macOS Catalina or later releases, the default Unix Shell is Zsh. Your default shell is available via the Terminal program within your Utilities folder. To open Terminal, try one or both of the following: - In Finder, select the Go menu, then select Utilities. Locate Terminal in the Utilities folder and open it. - Use the Mac ‘Spotlight’ computer search function. Search for: `Terminal` and press `Return`. To check if your machine is set up to use something other than Bash, type `echo $SHELL` in your terminal window. If your machine is set up to use something other than Bash, you can run it by opening a terminal and typing `bash`. [How to Use Terminal on a Mac](https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/how-use-terminal-on-mac-3608274/) #### Linux The default Unix Shell for Linux operating systems is usually Bash. On most versions of Linux, it is accessible by running the [Gnome Terminal](https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-terminal/stable/) or [KDE Konsole](https://konsole.kde.org/) or [xterm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xterm), which can be found via the applications menu or the search bar. If your machine is set up to use something other than Bash, you can run it by opening a terminal and typing `bash`. [Next](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/01-intro.html) [Next: Introducing the...](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/01-intro.html) *** This lesson is subject to the [Code of Conduct](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.html) [Edit on GitHub](https://github.com/swcarpentry/shell-novice/edit/main/index.md) \| [Contributing](https://github.com/swcarpentry/shell-novice/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) \| [Source](https://github.com/swcarpentry/shell-novice/) [Cite](https://github.com/swcarpentry/shell-novice/blob/main/) \| [Contact](mailto:team@carpentries.org) \| [About](https://carpentries.org/about/) Materials licensed under [CC-BY 4.0](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/LICENSE.html) by the authors Template licensed under [CC-BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) by [The Carpentries](https://carpentries.org/) Built with [sandpaper (0.20.0)](https://github.com/carpentries/sandpaper/tree/), [pegboard (0.7.9)](https://github.com/carpentries/pegboard/tree/), and [varnish (1.0.9)](https://github.com/carpentries/varnish/tree/) [Back To Top](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/#top)

The Unix shell has been around longer than most of its users have been alive. It has survived because it’s a powerful tool that allows users to perform complex and powerful tasks, often with just a few keystrokes or lines of code. It helps users automate repetitive tasks and easily combine smaller tasks into larger, more powerful workflows. Use of the shell is fundamental to a wide range of advanced computing tasks, including high-performance computing. These lessons will introduce you to this powerful tool. ### Prerequisites This lesson guides you through the basics of file systems and the shell. If you have stored files on a computer at all and recognize the word “file” and either “directory” or “folder” (two common words for the same thing), you’re ready for this lesson. ## Download files *** You need to download some files to follow this lesson. 1. Download [shell-lesson-data.zip](https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/data/shell-lesson-data.zip) and move the file to your Desktop. 2. Unzip/extract the file. **Let your instructor know if you need help with this step**. You should end up with a new folder called **`shell-lesson-data`** on your Desktop. ## Install software *** If you do not already have the shell software installed, you will need to [download and install](https://carpentries.github.io/workshop-template/install_instructions/#shell) it. ## Open a new shell *** After installing the software 1. Open a terminal. If you’re not sure how to open a terminal on your operating system, see the instructions below. 2. In the terminal type `cd` then press the `Return` key. This step will make sure you start with your home folder as your working directory. In the lesson, you will find out how to access the data files in this folder. ### Where to type commands: How to open a new shell The shell is a program that enables us to send commands to the computer and receive output. It is also referred to as the terminal or command line. Some computers include a default Unix Shell program. The steps below describe some methods for identifying and opening a Unix Shell program if you already have one installed. There are also options for identifying and downloading a Unix Shell program, a Linux/UNIX emulator, or a program to access a Unix Shell on a server. If none of the options below address your circumstances, try an online search for: Unix shell \[your computer model\] \[your operating system\]. Computers with Windows operating systems do not automatically have a Unix Shell program installed. In this lesson, we encourage you to use an emulator included in [Git for Windows](https://carpentries.github.io/workshop-template/install_instructions/#shell), which gives you access to both Bash shell commands and Git. Once installed, you can open a terminal by running the program Git Bash from the Windows start menu. **For advanced users:** As an alternative to Git for Windows you may wish to [Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install) which gives access to a Bash shell command-line tool in Windows 10 and above. Please note that commands in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) may differ slightly from those shown in the lesson or presented in the workshop. For a Mac computer running macOS Mojave or earlier releases, the default Unix Shell is Bash. For a Mac computer running macOS Catalina or later releases, the default Unix Shell is Zsh. Your default shell is available via the Terminal program within your Utilities folder. To open Terminal, try one or both of the following: - In Finder, select the Go menu, then select Utilities. Locate Terminal in the Utilities folder and open it. - Use the Mac ‘Spotlight’ computer search function. Search for: `Terminal` and press `Return`. To check if your machine is set up to use something other than Bash, type `echo $SHELL` in your terminal window. If your machine is set up to use something other than Bash, you can run it by opening a terminal and typing `bash`. [How to Use Terminal on a Mac](https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/how-use-terminal-on-mac-3608274/) The default Unix Shell for Linux operating systems is usually Bash. On most versions of Linux, it is accessible by running the [Gnome Terminal](https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-terminal/stable/) or [KDE Konsole](https://konsole.kde.org/) or [xterm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xterm), which can be found via the applications menu or the search bar. If your machine is set up to use something other than Bash, you can run it by opening a terminal and typing `bash`.