NAME

cd − change working directory

SYNOPSIS

cd [ directory ]

DESCRIPTION

If directory is not specified, the value of shell parameter $HOME is used as the new working directory.  If directory specifies a complete path starting with /, ., .., directory becomes the new working directory.  If neither case applies, cd tries to find the designated directory relative to one of the paths specified by the $CDPATH shell variable.  $CDPATH has the same syntax as, and similar semantics to, the $PATH shell variable.  cd must have execute (search) permission in directory.

Because a new process is created to execute each command, cd would be ineffective if it were written as a normal command; therefore, it is recognized and is internal to the shell. 

SEE ALSO

csh(1), pwd(1), sh(1)
chdir(2) in the Programmer’s Reference Manual. 

September 29, 2021