Check current shell mac. Also, if you are using backticks ` to capture .

Check current shell mac Similarly git branch should be avoided too in the command prompt as it slows down your prompt if you have many local branches. On your Mac, change the default shell for Terminal in Terminal General settings. May 13, 2014 · OK sorry I didn't make this clear - I know that Bash is probably useful but I don't really know what Bash is, how to access it, or how it helps me find my path. A brew install zsh and a chsh later and I'm good to go (well, technically I had to add the homebrew location of zsh to /etc/shells as well). The content is the list of shells available in Mac OSX. In fact, why even include the pipe through awk? As far as I can tell, your ps command is everything required to display the owner of the current shell's pid. Mar 18, 2011 · Check for $BASH_VERSION, $ZSH_VERSION, and other shell-specific variables. Here‘s what I‘ll cover: Why tracking branch/path avoids costly errors Key use cases showing importance of visibility Git The terminal prompt in macOS displays information like the username, hostname, and current directory. Jul 16, 2025 · Learn how to get the current username in PowerShell on a MacBook Pro. To check what version of Python is installed on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer, all you have to do is run a single command. So, assuming you haven’t messed with the Terminal settings, you can make changes to the login config file, then expect those changes to show up in new Terminal windows Why do you need bash as the interpreter? Nothing in the command line shown seems to be specific to any shell. This works great with Fast User Switching and if the mac is at the login screen it will return root as the user consoleUser=$(stat -f %Su /dev/console) There you go! Now go forth and script. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of installing PowerShell on your macOS device. Jun 8, 2021 · Learn various commands to find out which macOS version of your Apple Mac computer at the terminal bash prompt. Follow the steps and tips to avoid common errors and configure your shell environment. In this comprehensive guide, Nov 27, 2025 · This post tells you how to clear Terminal history on Mac forever or temporarily for the current session, applying to both Zsh and Bash shells. I would like to keep my . The following works in the four shells I have installed on my system (bash, zsh, csh, tcsh): First method $ ps -p $$ PID TT STAT TIME COMMAND 14143 0 Ss 0:00,03 -bash (bash) Second method $ echo $0 -bash Oct 6, 2023 · To check the Python version on Windows, Mac, or Linux, type "python --version" into PowerShell on Windows, or the Terminal on Linux or Mac. Dec 27, 2023 · That‘s why I firmly believe directly displaying your current Git context in the terminal is a best practice everyone should adopt. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily check your PowerShell version on Windows, macOS, or Linux systems. Dec 22, 2020 · $ sudo nano /etc/shells Finally set as default. From managing files and directories to troubleshooting Apr 13, 2013 · Is there an easy way to determine what shell I’m using in terminal? I’ve found several ways, from most to least reliable. On the user you wish to change the shell, control +click or right click on the user and choose “Advanced Options…” Where it says “Login Shell:” change this to the shell you wish to use. A shell interprets user commands, executes programs, and manages input and output. Macs running macOS 10. Before that, Macs used the Bash shell by default. I want som May 18, 2023 · Our Mac Terminal Commands Guide features a comprehensive list of macOS commands alongside a downloadable PDF cheat sheet for easy reference. 11. The included by default are: Jan 13, 2020 · What Shell Am I Using? January 13, 2020 I wanted to install the latest version of zsh on my MacBook Pro. This is usually the first thing I install when setting up a new machine. The reason being that %c shows the current folder, while %~ shows the full path from the root. This post explain how to upgrade your Bash version on Mac from the command line. Is there a command to identify the name/type of current shell, the path to the shell binary, and the version of the shell? I don't need all of that, but the more I can get, the better. 4, initializing Terminal opens a new window running bash (by default). Step-by-step guide with real examples to help you identify the logged-in user easily. However, the semi-official, “sanctioned” method has a… Jun 27, 2013 · In 2019, I think git branch --show-current is a better command than the accepted answer. Jan 22, 2021 · Every Mac comes with a Unix shell that provides a command line interface. To view the Python 3 version, run "Python3 --version" instead. To see what shell is currently running - which may or may not be your default shell - use: # Prints something like '/bin/ksh' or '-zsh' # See bottom section if you always need the full path. Use environment variables in Terminal on Mac The shell uses environment variables to store information, such as the name of the current user, the name of the host computer, and the default paths to any commands. Sep 3, 2019 · …or, how to deal with deprecated bash and python… There are many solutions to get the current logged in user in macOS to use in a shell script. app and reopen to make sure my changes took effect, and Jan 13, 2020 · Install the latest Bash shell on macOS with Homebrew and make it your default shell. Extra tip, to check the version on your current shell version, type the shell name like bash or zsh followed of the -- version command: $ bash --version Aug 10, 2025 · Your Mac is blowing its fans heavier than normal, your cursor starts spinning, and you must wonder what’s happening under the hood of your system? Find out here how to view and check running Mac processes in macOS Terminal using “top” and “ps”. Jan 28, 2025 · Explains how to add directory to $PATH in Apple macOS / OS X for the terminal bash based session for path settings. . mac:~ code2care$ cat /etc/shells # List of acceptable shells for chpass(1). Staying informed about your PowerShell environment helps Sep 25, 2009 · For the vast majority of Mac OS X users, you will be using the Bash shell by default, which is both the standard in all recent versions of OS X and also one of the easier to use shells out there. Knowing which shell you are currently using is essential for several reasons. bashrc does not get read automatically on a Mac when you open up a new shell window. How to Switch from Zsh to Bash Shell on Mac The simplest way to switch from zsh to bash (or any other available shell) is simply typing its name in the Terminal as a command. Another solution would be to make a very simple change through a framework such as oh-my-zsh, as explained in this question: If you use the oh-my-zsh framework for instance, depending on the theme you chose to use, you'd only have to replace the %c character with %~. Mar 26, 2024 · You can check currently available shells on Mac by running the cat /etc/shells command from any location. It can help you understand the available features, customize your environment, and troubleshoot issues Jun 4, 2025 · How to Update Python on Mac Do you need to update Python on Mac but feel stuck in Terminal commands and version conflicts? MacKeeper’s Update Tracker can help simplify your upgrade routine by keeping all your tools current—no manual searching, no wasted time. It needs slightly different variables for each versions. This is typically set by the default bash prompt, which many users find useful but may want to customize for a more personalized or informative terminal experience. Jul 15, 2025 · The Mac Terminal is a powerful tool that allows you to interact with your macOS system through commands, giving you more control over your device than ever before. $ git branch --show-current master (Added in git 2. Originally designed for Windows, PowerShell is now available for macOS as well. Check $SHELL; this is a last resort, as it specifies your default shell and not necessarily the current shell. That makes id great for "what user is running my script", but not for admin duties. Apr 26, 2025 · The output will display the PowerShell version details, including Major, Minor, Build, and Revision numbers. Below, we take a look at various Powershell directives that can be used to find the MAC address of a local or remote computer. Close out Terminal. Whether you‘re writing scripts, managing systems, or troubleshooting issues, understanding your PowerShell version unlocks key insights. Of course, no matter what version of macOS you’re using, you can . Sep 26, 2020 · MacOS comes with an outdated version Bash which can be limiting in shell scripts. That’s all the msitery around the new defualt bashes on MacOS since Catalina to BigSur. bash_login files in version control so that I can use them between all the computers I use. As I understand it, inputting echo $SHELL should output the shell that said command is submitted Mar 13, 2022 · Learn how to check which shell you are using on your Mac, and how to change it to bash or zsh. Also, if you are using backticks ` to capture Aug 7, 2015 · My second question is an example of disguising a shell. Aug 24, 2022 · How to check shell version on Mac Mac has bash and zsh the profile for bash and zsh is different, sometimes we want to change path on profile files, but in order to find which file to change, we Sep 29, 2009 · To do this using the Mac OS X GUI: Open “System Preferences. Quick installation available for Bash, Fish, ZSH, Ion, Tcsh, Elvish, Nu, Xonsh, Cmd, and Powershell. Aug 10, 2025 · In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into these proven techniques, providing you with the knowledge to confidently determine your current shell across various Linux distributions and macOS. Of note, this location is Dec 27, 2023 · Have you ever wondered what shell environment you‘re running in on your Linux or Unix system? Whether you need to check for script compatibility, customize prompts, or simply want to learn – knowing key details about your default shell is essential. Apr 7, 2020 · To see what current folder or directory you’re in, simply type the following inside the Mac Terminal: pwd Jul 23, 2024 · The bash_profile is the key to unlocking powerful customizations and optimizations for your command line workflow on a Mac. ps -p $$ Which Config File Should I Use? # On Mac, the Terminal app defaults to a login shell 2. 15 and later use Zsh by default. What do you do if a script is executed by an interpreter executable whose name doesn't match the language that the interpreter interprets? If I take a copy of csh, rename it to fish and use it to run your script, do you want fish or csh? Nov 15, 2023 · Knowing which version of PowerShell you have installed is crucial – but thankfully it‘s easy to find out! In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn multiple methods to get your exact PowerShell version number on Windows, Linux, and macOS. The above assumes that the running shell is a POSIX-compatible shell. # Ftpd will not allow users to connect who are not using # one of these shells. Thank them for their help, and teach them that . The file where you'd want to make Apr 19, 2023 · Did you know that you can change the shell that you use in Terminal on your Mac? Learn how in this guide. What shell is your Mac using? There’s an easy way to tell — here’s how. 28 To find your Mac's current internal IP address, run: ifconfig -l | xargs -n1 ipconfig getifaddr This is basically equivalent to ipconfig getifaddr en0, but more reliable! en0 is not always the current network interface! Thank you to @epylinkn in the comments of another answer for this hint. This can also be shortened for specific use cases: 488 I have a shell script that is used both on Windows/Cygwin and Mac and Linux. 22 release in June 2019) It runs much faster as it doesn't need to iterate through all branches. Whether you're a beginner exploring basic commands or an advanced user looking to streamline tasks, mastering Mac Terminal commands can significantly increase your productivity. Jan 11, 2025 · You can find the MAC address of all the network cards or network adapters using Powershell. code2care@mac Nov 14, 2025 · In the Linux operating system, shells play a pivotal role as the command-line interface between users and the underlying system. This variable allows you to display different pieces of May 8, 2021 · However it’s not recognized by the older shells (such as Bourne shell). Tagged with macos, cli, bash. How can I determine the current shell I am working on? Would the output of the ps command alone be sufficient? How can this be done in different flavors of Unix? How can I definitively determine if the currently running shell is bash or zsh? (being able to disambiguate between additional shells is a bonus, but only bash & zsh are 100% necessary) I've Jan 13, 2022 · For instance, login shells are sometimes invoked under a different name (-zsh instead of zsh is frequently used), and if you invoke a shell via a symlink, $0 contains that symlink path. Conclusion Knowing your PowerShell version is essential for compatibility with scripts, modules, and features. How can a shell/bash script detect whether it is running in Cygwin, on a Mac or in Linux? Aug 25, 2025 · Learn how to do a PowerShell version check, understand its importance and update to the latest release to facilitate compatibility, security and performance. Feb 28, 2022 · You can check which shell you’re currently running with the below command 1. /bin/bash /bin/csh /bin/dash /bin/ksh /bin/sh /bin/tcsh /bin/zsh ️ Z Shell (Zsh) is the default. Environment variables are inherited by all commands executed in the shell’s context, and some commands depend on environment variables. Feb 25, 2019 · I want the prompt to show the current 12 hour (not 24 hours) time live (so it keeps changing, and then when a command is made, save that time before going to the next prompt (so, without pressing enter / return on the keyboard). In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain multiple methods to easily see your current Git branch and folder paths right in the terminal. What I'm trying to achieve is I'm trying to reset my Path right now, but in the future I want to be able to edit it when these problems come up again. We‘ll […] May 24, 2016 · The easy way is go to /etc and check the shells file. bashrc and . As an experienced Linux administrator, I often work with both the Bash and Zsh […] Jul 9, 2009 · This is an underrated answer. Put it in a function to use Jun 22, 2017 · How can I determine the OS type, (Linux, Windows) using Powershell from within a script? The ResponseUri isn't recognised when this part of my script is ran on a Linux host. Powershell offers quick and concise methods or directives to find the MAC address of network adapters. If you’re not sure which shell you’re using, there are a couple of ways to find out. Jul 10, 2019 · There’s a few methods floating out on the web, but I’d just like to point out a quick and reliable way to get the current console user on macOS using stat. Changing the bash prompt involves modifying the PS1 environment variable. You cannot do sudo id -un to get the name of the logged-in user (as id is more "what is the id of the user who's running the id command). shell shipped since macOS Catalina and BigSur How to switch between shells in macOS? Simply type the shell name on the prompt. The problem is I have some OS specific aliases so I was looking for Feb 28, 2015 · 691 I read that terminal is nothing but shell, and Unix provides different flavors of shells: Bourne shell (sh) C shell (csh) TC shell (tcsh) Korn shell (ksh) Bourne Again shell (bash) Questions: When I open a terminal window, which shell is opened by default? How do I check how many shells are installed? How do I change the shell used from my Feb 13, 2025 · Linux / Unix find out what shell I am using - Learn how to check which shell am I using the command line options? Jul 15, 2021 · No, that's about the current shell rather than the user's default shell. Feb 11, 2024 · Introduction PowerShell is a powerful command-line shell and scripting language developed by Microsoft. May 1, 2018 · The next time you need to work with the shells in macOS, this should give you a guide as to where to start. Apr 28, 2016 · Using Terminal on OS X 10. ” Open the “Accounts”/“Users & Groups” preference pane and unlock the preference pane if applicable. Starship is the minimal, blazing fast, and extremely customizable prompt for any shell! Shows the information you need, while staying sleek and minimal. I want to display the DNS servers that are used by the current network setup on OS X, from the command line. Mar 3, 2025 · This page shows various Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD and Unix command to check my GNU bash version.