builtin

Additional Notes

builtin is a Bash command that runs a shell builtin directly, bypassing shell functions with the same name. It is useful inside wrapper functions.

For example, if you define a function named cd, you can still call the real shell builtin with builtin cd.

Syntax

builtin shell-builtin [arguments...]

Parameters

• shell-builtin: Name of a Bash builtin command.
• arguments: Arguments passed to that builtin.

Examples

builtin cd /tmp

Run the real cd builtin.

cd() {
  builtin cd "$@" || return
  pwd
}

Wrap cd while still calling the original builtin.

type cd

Check whether a command is a builtin, function, alias, or executable.

Practical Notes

• builtin is Bash-specific behavior, not a normal external program.
• Use command to bypass shell functions and aliases when running external commands.
• Use enable to enable or disable shell builtins in Bash.