pushd / popd / dirs

Overview

pushd, popd, and dirs maintain a directory stack in bash. pushd changes directory and pushes the previous location; popd returns; dirs lists the stack. Handy when hopping between build trees, config dirs, and logs without losing your place. For a single previous directory, cd - is enough.

Light operator page — stack gymnastics in large scripts belong in Scripting → Bash in this book.

Syntax

pushd [dir]
pushd +N | -N
popd
popd +N | -N
dirs [-clpv] [+N | -N]

Common Options

dirs

Option	Description
-l	Long paths (no ~ abbreviation)
-p	One entry per line
-v	Numbered list
-c	Clear stack (bash)

pushd / popd

Form	Description
pushd dir	Push current, cd to dir
pushd	Swap top two entries
pushd +N / -N	Rotate stack
popd	Pop top and cd there
popd +N	Delete Nth entry without rotating to it (see help)

set -o / shopt can affect cd behavior (cdspell, autocd); stack commands still need valid paths.

Examples with Explanations

Jump and return

pwd
pushd /var/log
# ... inspect logs ...
popd
pwd

Nested hops

pushd /etc/nginx
pushd /etc/ssl/certs
dirs -v
popd
popd

List the stack

dirs
dirs -v
dirs -l -p

Swap two project roots

cd ~/src/app
pushd ~/src/infra
pushd              # swap top two

Numbered rotation

dirs -v
pushd +2           # bring entry 2 to top and cd

Clear

dirs -c

Notes

• Stack is per shell session — not shared across terminals.
• Failed pushd to a bad path usually leaves the stack unchanged (bash) — still verify pwd.
• Prefer absolute paths in muscle memory when trees are deep and symlinked.
• CDPATH can make pushd some-name resolve in unexpected directories — know if you set it.
• Fish/zsh have similar but not identical stack commands.

Related Commands

• cd / pwd — basic navigation
• cd - — previous directory only
• realpath / readlink -f — resolve paths
• tree / ls — inspect destinations

Additional Resources

• help pushd, help popd, help dirs
• man bash (DIRECTORY STACK)