In bash, how does one clear the current input?

bash, input

Solution

Press Ctrl-U to delete everything before the cursor. The deleted command will be stored into a buffer. Press Ctrl-Y to paste the deleted command.

(Optional: Press End or Ctrl-E to jump to the end of the input first.)

Alternatively, press Ctrl-C to abort what you're typing.

Problem

Suppose in bash you start writing a command like: ``` $ rm -rf /foo/bar/really/long/path/here ``` and then realize you don't want to execute this after all. Is there a way to clear the input with one or two keystrokes? What I have been doing lately is prepending echo and enclosing the input in quotes (Ctrl+A, `echo "`, Ctrl+E, `"`) then hitting enter. Is there a faster way?

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