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linuxunixterminalroot

Using terminal shortcuts with a non-root user

I have added a non-root user to my Linux os to use it for my daily needs. However, I am not able to use shortcuts I am used to.

To use my previous codes I normally press UP or DOWN button on my keyboard. Now with a non-root user, it shows

$ ^[[A  // When I press UP arrow
$ ^[[B   // or DOWN arrow and so on...

Why a nonroot user cannot use shortcuts and how can I use them

Solution

  • Looks your default shell is not bash. You can check it by running (when not root)

    echo $SHELL

    or

    ps -p `echo $$`

    My best guess it is ksh.

    You don't have to use bash - but is used by most people as it is most user friendly and should be available for all distros.

    There are other shells - ksh, csh, tcsh, zsh or fish. Last two are nice alternative to bash.