Shell
history
Display or manipulate the command history list.
Synopsis
syntax
history [N]
Examples
Show full command history
history
Show last 20 commands
history 20
Clear command history
history -c
Re-run command number 42
!42
Repeat last command
!!
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -c | Clear the history list |
| -d | Delete entry at offset |
| -w | Write current history to file |
| -r | Read history file into current list |
About history
The `history` command display or manipulate the command history list. Shell commands configure your interactive environment — variables, aliases, history, and shell options.
The shell is your primary interface with Linux, and customizing it improves productivity. These commands work across bash, zsh, and other POSIX-compatible shells with minor differences.
The command accepts 4 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man history`). The 5 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More Shell Commands
Other commands in the Shell category