So, you're trying to use the Terminal app on macOS, eh? Maybe you're unfamiliar with the terminal, with macOS, or both? Well, here are some pointers for you, imaginary person and/or Sam! = Neat basics = ---- == {key tab} == Use the tab key all the time! Type as little as you actually have to, let tab autocomplete do all the heavy lifting! ---- == `cd` == Now of course, everyone and their dog knows you use the `cd` command to change directories. But did you know that if you just run `cd` without any arguments, it returns you to your home directory? Ah, exquisitely lazy! ---- == `pushd` and `popd` == While most of the time one changes directories using `cd`, if you're going off to some other directory for a bit but planning on returning to where you currently are, `pushd` and `popd` can be quite useful. They're a classic [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_(abstract_data_type) | stack ]], so for instance rather than ``` totally-real-mac:/some/place use$ cd /some/otherplace totally-real-mac:/some/otherplace user$ {do a buncha crap} totally-real-mac:/some/otherplace user$ cd /some/place totally-real-mac:/some/place user$ ``` just run ``` totally-real-mac:/some/place user$ pushd /some/otherplace totally-real-mac:/some/otherplace user$ {do a buncha crap} totally-real-mac:/some/otherplace user$ popd totally-real-mac:/some/place user$ ``` Obviously this isn't always that much more helpful than just using `cd`, but in some circumstances it can be quite nice! ---- == {key alt .} == In a normal Linux terminal, {key alt .} calls back up the last portion of the last command you typed. So for instance, if you just ran `touch somefile`, then typing `chmod +x ` and then press {key alt .}, viola, now you have `chmod +x somefile`! And you can tap {key .} multiple times to walk back through your history. This is really quite handy a lot of the time. Unfortunately on macOS this instead just prints a ≤ character. I hate you //so much//, Apple. There are two ways around this: 1. {nav Terminal > Preferences > Profiles} and checkmark "Use Option as Meta key". That fixes it entirely. 2. Use {key Escape .} instead. Unfortunately, this is not only more awkward but it's made even more awkward by requiring you to press `Esc` each time too, rather than just {key .} like with {key alt .}, so you should really just use option 1.