How do I clear/delete the current line in terminal?

You can use Ctrl+U to clear up to the beginning.

You can use Ctrl+W to delete just a word.

You can also use Ctrl+C to cancel.

If you want to keep the history, you can use Alt+Shift+# to make it a comment.


Bash Emacs Editing Mode Cheat Sheet


Just to summarise all the answers:

  • Clean up the line: You can use Ctrl+U to clear up to the beginning.
  • Clean up the line: Ctrl+E Ctrl+U to wipe the current line in the terminal
  • Clean up the line: Ctrl+A Ctrl+K to wipe the current line in the terminal
  • Cancel the current command/line: Ctrl+C.
  • Recall the deleted command: Ctrl+Y (then Alt+Y)
  • Go to beginning of the line: Ctrl+A
  • Go to end of the line: Ctrl+E
  • Remove the forward words for example, if you are middle of the command: Ctrl+K
  • Remove characters on the left, until the beginning of the word: Ctrl+W
  • To clear your entire command prompt: Ctrl + L
  • Toggle between the start of line and current cursor position: Ctrl + XX

I have the complete shortcuts list:

  1. Ctrl+a Move cursor to start of line
  2. Ctrl+e Move cursor to end of line
  3. Ctrl+b Move back one character
  4. Alt+b Move back one word
  5. Ctrl+f Move forward one character
  6. Alt+f Move forward one word
  7. Ctrl+d Delete current character
  8. Ctrl+w Cut the last word
  9. Ctrl+k Cut everything after the cursor
  10. Alt+d Cut word after the cursor
  11. Alt+w Cut word before the cursor
  12. Ctrl+y Paste the last deleted command
  13. Ctrl+_ Undo
  14. Ctrl+u Cut everything before the cursor
  15. Ctrl+xx Toggle between first and current position
  16. Ctrl+l Clear the terminal
  17. Ctrl+c Cancel the command
  18. Ctrl+r Search command in history - type the search term
  19. Ctrl+j End the search at current history entry
  20. Ctrl+g Cancel the search and restore original line
  21. Ctrl+n Next command from the History
  22. Ctrl+p previous command from the History

Ctrl+A, Ctrl+K to wipe the current line in the terminal. You can then recall it with Ctrl+Y if you need.

Tags:

Terminal

Bash