load command from history but don't execute yet, so I can modify it

Question

In bash, I know how to

history |grep foo

which will give me a list of numbered commands from history containing foo. If I want to run one of those commands with a different argument, I can copy paste using the mouse. I don't want to repeat an exact command. I want to load it at the prompt and change something, then execute it. Is there a way to do so? Up arrow doesn't always work for me.

Is CTRL+r and then using the left/right arrow keys to edit parameters not an acceptable workflow? — kemotep, Jul 09 '19 at 14:48

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 09 '19 at 14:51

3

If you’re using Bash, you can enable histverify and then recall commands with ! followed by the command’s number in the history:

shopt -s histverify

Another interesting approach is to use fc:

fc 200

will load the 200th command in your history into your editor. You can then edit the command as you please, and it will be executed when you exit your editor.

Other shells such as Zsh have similar features.

See the chapter on history interaction in the Bash manual for details.

answered Jul 09 '19 at 14:51

Stephen Kitt

434,908

1

Looks like shopt -s histverify works, but do you have to run it in every shell session you want to use it in, or does it persist until the hard drive is wiped? – JetJaguar Jul 09 '19 at 15:17
1

You’d add it to your .bashrc typically. – Stephen Kitt Jul 09 '19 at 15:19
does it replace shopt -s histappend, or is it used in addition? – JetJaguar Jul 09 '19 at 15:28
In addition, both options control different history features. – Stephen Kitt Jul 09 '19 at 15:29

load command from history but don't execute yet, so I can modify it

1 Answers1