alias / unalias

Overview

alias (shell builtin) creates shortcuts for commands in the current shell. Not inherited by scripts unless sourced. Persist in ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or ~/.bash_aliases.

Syntax

alias
alias name='command args'
unalias name
unalias -a

Examples with Explanations

alias ll='ls -lah'
alias gs='git status'
alias ..='cd ..'
alias grep='grep --color=auto'
alias
type ll
unalias ll

Useful patterns

alias please='sudo $(fc -ln -1)'     # humor; review before use
alias rm='rm -i'                     # safety; scripts bypass aliases

Bypass alias

command ls
\ls
/bin/ls

Notes & Pitfalls

• Aliases are not active in non-interactive scripts by default.
  
• Functions are better for arguments (mkcd() { mkdir -p "$1" && cd "$1"; }).
  
• alias sudo='sudo ' allows alias expansion of the next word (bash).

Related Commands

• shell functions
  
• type / command -v
  
• ln -s — filesystem shortcuts