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#terminal · 30 Mar 2024 · 1 min read

Terminal Shortcuts: Editing

Delete, swap, and reuse text without leaving the keyboard.

Editing long commands is where most people lose time. These shortcuts let you cut, delete, and recycle text at the speed of thought — no mouse needed.

Delete by character

Ctrl+D
Delete the character under the cursor
Ctrl+H
Delete the character before the cursor (same as Backspace)

Delete by word

Ctrl+W
Delete the word before the cursor
Alt+Backspace
Delete from the cursor to the beginning of the word

Delete to line boundary

Ctrl+U
Delete everything before the cursor
Ctrl+K
Delete everything after the cursor

History & text tricks

Alt+./Esc+.
Paste the last argument of the previous command
Alt+<
Jump to the oldest command in history
Alt+>
Jump to the most recent command in history
Esc+T
Swap the two words before the cursor