$ Linux Command

Shell

bind

Show or change Bash Readline key bindings.

bashreadlinekeyboardshell

Additional Notes

bind is a Bash builtin for inspecting and changing Readline key bindings. Readline controls command-line editing shortcuts used by Bash and many other interactive programs.

Use it to view keyboard shortcuts, bind keys to editing functions, or customize interactive shell behavior.

Syntax

bind [options] [keyseq:function]
bind [options] [readline-command]

Parameters

  • keyseq: Key sequence in Readline syntax.
  • function: Readline editing function.
  • readline-command: Configuration command like those used in ~/.inputrc.
  • options: Listing, query, and binding controls.

Common Options

  • -P: List function names and bindings.
  • -p: Print bindings in reusable form.
  • -q FUNCTION: Query which keys invoke a function.
  • -r KEYSEQ: Remove a binding.
  • -x KEYSEQ:COMMAND: Bind a key sequence to a shell command.
  • -f FILE: Read bindings from a file.

Examples

bind -P | less

List Readline functions and key bindings.

bind -q backward-kill-word

Show keys bound to a function.

bind '"\C-x\C-l": clear-screen'

Bind Ctrl+X Ctrl+L to clear the screen.

bind -p > readline-bindings.txt

Export current bindings.

Practical Notes

  • bind affects the current Bash session unless saved in startup files.
  • For persistent Readline settings, use ~/.inputrc.
  • Key sequence quoting is easy to get wrong; test interactively first.