Linux pwd Command: Print Working Directory Guide

The pwd (print working directory) command displays your current location in the Linux filesystem. While simple, it’s crucial for navigation and scripting.

Basic Syntax

pwd [options]

Common Options

• -L, --logical: Print logical working directory (with symbolic links)
• -P, --physical: Print physical working directory (resolve symbolic links)

Real-World Examples

1. Basic Usage

$ pwd
/home/user/documents

2. Physical vs Logical Path

# With symbolic link
$ ln -s /var/www/html web
$ cd web
$ pwd -L
/home/user/web
$ pwd -P
/var/www/html

3. In Scripts

#!/bin/bash
current_dir=$(pwd)
echo "Working from: $current_dir"

Common Use Cases

1. Script Location Reference

   # Get script's directory
   SCRIPT_DIR="$( cd "$( dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" && pwd )"
   

2. Build Systems

   # Save original directory
   original_dir=$(pwd)
   cd build/
   make
   cd "$original_dir"
   

3. Path Verification

   # Check if in correct directory
   if [ "$(pwd)" != "/expected/path" ]; then
       echo "Wrong directory!"
       exit 1
   fi
   

Tips and Tricks

1. Store Current Directory

   OLD_PWD=$(pwd)
   cd /some/other/path
   # Later...
   cd "$OLD_PWD"
   

2. Use in Command Substitution

   # Create backup with current path name
   tar -czf "backup-$(basename $(pwd)).tar.gz" .
   

3. Combine with Other Commands

   # List files with full paths
   find "$(pwd)" -type f -name "*.txt"
   

Best Practices

1. Quote Directory Names

   dir="$(pwd)"  # Handles spaces in paths
   

2. Check Command Success

   if ! dir="$(pwd)"; then
       echo "Failed to get current directory"
       exit 1
   fi
   

3. Use with cd

   # Save and restore location
   pushd "$(pwd)" > /dev/null
   # Do work...
   popd > /dev/null
   

Common Errors and Solutions

1. Permission Denied

   • Solution: Check directory permissions
   • Ensure you have execute (x) permission

2. No Such File or Directory

   • Current directory might have been deleted
   • Solution: cd to a valid directory

3. Symbolic Link Issues

   • Use -P to resolve actual path
   • Use -L to maintain symbolic links

Related Commands

• cd: Change directory
• dirname: Strip last component from path
• basename: Strip directory from path
• realpath: Resolve path (including symlinks)

Advanced Usage

1. In Functions

get_project_root() {
    local dir="$(pwd)"
    while [ "$dir" != "/" ]; do
        [ -f "$dir/package.json" ] && echo "$dir" && return
        dir="$(dirname "$dir")"
    done
}

2. Path Manipulation

# Get parent directory
parent="$(dirname "$(pwd)")"

# Get current directory name
current="$(basename "$(pwd)")"

3. With Find Command

# Find files relative to current directory
find "$(pwd)" -maxdepth 1 -type f

The pwd command is essential for shell scripting and daily system navigation. While simple, it provides crucial functionality for path manipulation and directory tracking in scripts and interactive use.