Search
type
Display how a command name would be interpreted by the shell.
Synopsis
syntax
type [OPTION]... NAME...
Examples
Show if ls is alias, builtin, or file
type ls
Show all echo types (builtin and /usr/bin/echo)
type -a echo
Print just the type: builtin
type -t cd
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -a | Display all locations and types |
| -t | Print only the type (alias, function, builtin, file) |
| -p | Print disk file path only, even for builtins |
About type
The `type` command display how a command name would be interpreted by the shell. Search commands help you locate files, text patterns, and executables across the filesystem.
Efficient searching is critical when working with large codebases or troubleshooting system issues. These tools range from simple filename lookups to full regular-expression pattern matching across file contents.
The command accepts 3 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man type`). The 3 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More Search Commands
Other commands in the Search category