Change working directory in shell with a python script

Question

I want to implement a userland command that will take one of its arguments (path) and change the directory to that dir. After the program completion I would like the shell to be in that directory. So I want to implement `cd` command, but with external program. Can it be done in a python script or I have to write bash wrapper? Example: ``` tdi@bayes:/home/$>python cd.py tdi tdi@bayes:/home/tdi$> ```

Accepted Answer

Others have pointed out that you can't change the working directory of a parent from a child.

But there is a way you can achieve your goal -- if you cd from a shell function, it can change the working dir. Add this to your ~/.bashrc:

```
go() {
    cd "$(python /path/to/cd.py "$1")"
}
```

Your script should print the path to the directory that you want to change to. For example, this could be your cd.py:

```
#!/usr/bin/python
import sys, os.path
if sys.argv[1] == 'tdi': print(os.path.expanduser('~/long/tedious/path/to/tdi'))
elif sys.argv[1] == 'xyz':  print(os.path.expanduser('~/long/tedious/path/to/xyz'))
```

Then you can do:

```
tdi@bayes:/home/$> go tdi
tdi@bayes:/home/tdi$> go tdi
```

Change working directory in shell with a python script

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