How to Use Linux Commands pushd and popd

1. Use the pushd Command in Linux
2. Use the popd Command in Linux
3. Overstamping the Stack

The commands pushd and popd operate with the command line directory stack in computing.

Linux and other Unix-like operating systems, the commands pushd and popd allow you to interact with directory stacks and modify the current working directory. Even though pushd and popd are mighty and helpful commands, they are not much appreciated and utilized.

Use the pushd Command in Linux

There are two entries in the stack after the first pushd command: your left directory and the one you have.

The pushd command has the following:

$ pushd ~/Desktop

Output:

~/Desktop ~

The directory of the terminal will be changed to Desktop. i.e., ~/Desktop$

~/Desktop$ pushd ~/Music

Output:

~/Music ~/Desktop ~

Now, it’s changed to Music.

$ pushd ~

Output:

~ ~/Music ~/Desktop ~

We returned to our home directory with the last pushd command.

Therefore, the tilde~, which symbolizes our home directory, is the first and last entry on the stack. It indicates that despite a directory already present in the stack, we will add it again for other pushd commands.

Use the popd Command in Linux

The popd command is being used to remove directories from the stack. When we look at the directory stack, we see that /home/user is in position 1.

We type the following to pass the number to popd to remove it from the stack:

$ dirs -v -l

Output:

 0  /home/user
 1  /home/user/Music
 2  /home/user/Desktop
 3  /home/user

$ popd +1

Output:

~ ~/Desktop ~

The /home/user directory was eliminated, and all directories below it in the stack were pushed up one position.

$ popd

Output:

~/Desktop

We’ll use popd to remove the top-most directory from the stack and replace it with the second-most directory.

This is now the directory you recently moved out of, so you’ve been redirected back to it.

Overstamping the Stack

It’s simple to revert to old habits and shift directories with cd.

You’ll stamp over the first directory in the stack if you do so. It is unavoidable because the first slot is designated for the current working directory, and none move.

To do so, type the following into the terminal:

$ dirs -v -l

Output:

0  /home/user/Desktop

$ cd ~/Music
~/Music$ dirs -v -l

Output:

0  /home/user/Music

You’ll have a super-fast way to jump between folders once you get familiar with the pushd and popd commands and potentially utilize them to construct a few aliases.