Change directory in terminal using python

Question

I'm writing a simple script to change the present working directory to some other directory. The following script works okay until the program terminates, after which I'm back to my home directory.

#!/usr/bin/python

import os

if __name__ == '__main__':
    os.chdir("/home/name/projects/python")
    os.system("pwd")
    print 'dir changed'

Output is:

bash:~$ python chdir.py
/home/name/projects/python
dir changed
bash:~$ pwd
/home/name

I want the directory change to remain even after the program has exited. Any ideas how to do it?

Edit: What I really want to do is this: I use this directory frequently and instead of doing cd <path> every time I open the terminal, I just write ./progname and it changes the directory.

Oh, I see what you're trying to do. Python is actually changing the dir inside its scripts scope, but not on your terminal's scope — rafaelc
– rafaelc, Commented Mar 7, 2016 at 12:06

Yaron · Accepted Answer · 2018-12-20 12:41:56Z

19

If you want the directory change to remain even after the program has exited. You can end the python script with os.system("/bin/bash"), this will leave you in bash shell inside the new directory.

#!/usr/bin/python
import os
if __name__ == '__main__':
    os.chdir("/home/name/projects/python")
    os.system("pwd")
    os.system("/bin/bash")

For the need raised in your comment "I use this directory frequently and instead of doind cd <path> every time I open the terminal, I just write ./progname and it changes the directory"
I would suggest using bash alias which will change directory:

bash:~$ alias mycd='cd /home/name/projects/python'

and use this alias in bash shell in order to change the directory:

bash:~$ mycd

You can add this alias to your .bashrc - which will allow you to use this alias every time.

edited Dec 20, 2018 at 12:41

answered Mar 7, 2016 at 12:15

Yaron

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5 Comments

Krishh Over a year ago

This works! Thank you very much. Can you explain me what the last command is doing? Is it creating a new instance of terminal or what?

Yaron Over a year ago

It opens a new bash shell as a sub-process, hence it uses the new directory. It answers you questions, but I'm not sure how useful will it be for a large scale project. For more info see stackoverflow.com/questions/1506010/….

Krishh Over a year ago

I knew it could be done by using bash alias, i just wanted to know how to do it with python. Both of your solutions work. Thanks again!

Samuel O'Malley Over a year ago

Please note @KrishanuKonar that this is not actually changing your directory of your current bash session. It is creating a new bash process in the directory you want. What you are actually asking for is impossible with Python, but extremely easy with bash.

Krishh Over a year ago

@SamuelO'Malley Duly noted.

spen.smith · Accepted Answer · 2021-04-21 03:47:21Z

0

In case someone would like to do this without python - this is most simply done with a .bash_profile file.

Steps:

Type this into your .bash_profile. You can open this file with pico.

pico ~/.bash_profile

Then create a shortcut (called an alias), you can do whatever phrase you want.

alias cdd="cd ~/frequent/my-directory"

Then source your .bash_profile file.

source ~/.bash_profile

Now, you just run your aforementioned shortcut, and this switches your directory, with many less key strokes!

Macbook-Spen:~ spen$ cdd
Macbook-Spen:my-directory spen$

Sources:

edited Apr 21, 2021 at 3:47

answered Dec 11, 2018 at 7:00

spen.smith

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Comments

Michael D'Sa · Accepted Answer · 2025-05-16 03:33:43Z

0

Make the Python script output the new directory

#!/usr/bin/python

import os

if __name__ == "__main__":
    os.chdir("/home/user/python/scripts/script.py")
    new_path: str = os.getcwd()
    print(new_path)

Then write a bash wrapper. This way, the cd operation isn't hidden in a subshell. For cd to operate properly, use it in a function:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
mycd() {
    script_output="$(/home/user/python/scripts/script.py)"
    # test if output is dir
    if [ -d "$script_output" ]; then
        cd "$script_output"
    else
        echo "failed to change directory to $script_output"
    fi
}

then in terminal:

chmod 775 bash_wrapper
source bash_wrapper

Now you can use mycd (not the script names) to invoke your operation.

edited May 16 at 3:33

answered May 13 at 13:01

Michael D'Sa

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Comments

Himanshu dua · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-07 11:58:20Z

-1

import os
os.system('cd /home/name/projects/python')

answered Mar 7, 2016 at 11:58

Himanshu dua

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3 Comments

Himanshu dua Over a year ago

why you want to do it? if you want to run another command on projects/python directory it will after this os.system('cd /home/name/projects/python') You can use os.system('Another command')

Krishh Over a year ago

its a small part of a bigger project.

Krishh Over a year ago

I know it'll work after that, I need to preserve the directory change after the program has exited. Think of it like this: I use this directory frequently and instead of doind cd <path> everytime i open the terminal, i just write ./progname and it changes the directory.

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