Xterm Keyboard Shortcuts by Sibicle

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Xterm Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts for xterm compatible terminal emulators.
linux unix command-line terminal

Deleting Text

Ctrl + k	Deletes all characters ahead of cursor
Ctrl + w, Alt + Backspace	Deletes word behind cursor *
Ctrl + u	Deletes all characters behind cursor
Ctrl + l	Clears the screen

* A word is a set of characters seperated by spaces

Processes

Ctrl + c	Kill process
Ctrl + z	Send current process to background
fg	Recall background process
Ctrl + d	Log out of current terminal

Cursor Movement

Ctrl + a, Home	Move to beginning of line
Ctrl + b, Left Arrow	Move cursor left
Ctrl + e, End	Move to end of line
Ctrl + f, Right Arrow	Move cursor right

Command History

Ctrl + p, Up Arrow	Previous command in history
Ctrl + n, Down Arrow	Next command in history
Ctrl + r	Search command history
history	Print the command history

Metadata

Languages: English

Published: 15th July, 2013
Rated: 4 stars based on 1 ratings

Comments

Jay 15:11 13 Feb 14

Ok, this doesn't seem to be an xterm cheatsheet at all, it is more of a bash with emacs line editing mode on (instead of vi, which would be a bunch of different key combinations). While the Processes section is not bash/emacs specific it isn't specific to xterm either, it applies to any shell with job control and works on the console, outside of X too (just like the rest of these).

Perhaps an actual xterm cheatsheet should mention xterm-specific escape codes or mouse actions, not bash / sh keys.