Pwd Command in Linux Explained With Examples in 2026

The pwd command in Linux (print working directory) displays the absolute path of your current location in the filesystem. It helps you confirm where you are, avoid path mistakes, and script reliably. Use pwd with options like -L (logical) and -P (physical) to handle symlinks and ensure accurate paths in terminals, scripts, and servers.

Understanding the pwd command in Linux is foundational for anyone using the terminal, whether you manage servers, build web apps, or automate deployments. In this guide, I’ll explain what pwd does, how it differs across shells, when to use -L vs -P, and practical examples for real world workflows, including hosting and DevOps scenarios.

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What is the pwd Command in Linux?

pwd stands for “print working directory.” When you run it, the shell outputs the absolute path (starting with /) to your current directory.

This makes it easy to confirm context, compose safe file paths, and debug scripts. pwd exists as both a shell builtin (e.g., in Bash) and as a standalone binary (commonly /bin/pwd in GNU coreutils).

Logical vs Physical Paths (Why -L and -P Matter)

Directories can be reached through symbolic links (symlinks). The pwd command can show:

• Logical path (-L): Honors the path you navigated (may include symlinks).
• Physical path (-P): Resolves symlinks to the real, canonical path on disk.

# Suppose /var/www/current -> /var/www/releases/2026-01-09 (symlink)

cd /var/www/current
pwd        # logical default in many shells: /var/www/current
pwd -P     # physical path: /var/www/releases/2026-01-09

In deployments (e.g., zero-downtime releases with symlinks), the physical path is essential for operations that must target the actual code directory, not the symlink.

Syntax and Options of pwd

pwd [OPTION]

• -L: Print the logical working directory (respect symlinks; often default for shell builtin).
• -P: Print the physical directory (resolve symlinks using the filesystem).
• –help: Show help (GNU coreutils /bin/pwd).
• –version: Show version (GNU coreutils /bin/pwd).

Shell builtins and /bin/pwd may have slight behavior differences. On most Linux distributions, Bash’s builtin pwd is sufficient and faster; GNU /bin/pwd offers consistent behavior across scripts and shells.

pwd Builtin vs /bin/pwd

Many shells (Bash, Zsh, Dash) include pwd as a builtin for performance and portability. The external binary (/bin/pwd) comes from coreutils and is useful when you want explicit, predictable behavior or when the shell’s environment is restricted.

# Check what your shell uses first
type pwd       # In Bash/Zsh: shows 'pwd is a shell builtin'
which pwd      # Points to /bin/pwd for the external binary

# Force the external binary even if a builtin exists
command pwd
/bin/pwd

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Practical pwd Examples

1. Basic Usage

pwd
# Output: /home/username/projects

Use this to confirm your working directory before running commands that create or delete files.

2. Show the Physical Path with -P

# If you navigated via a symlink:
pwd -P
# Output: /mnt/storage/data/app (actual target path)

Choose -P when scripts need the canonical location (common in build pipelines, backups, and artifact publishing).

3. Use pwd Safely in Shell Scripts

#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail

# Prefer the $PWD shell variable for speed; it tracks your current directory.
echo "Logical path: $PWD"

# For the canonical path (avoid symlink surprises):
REAL_DIR="$(pwd -P)"
echo "Physical path: $REAL_DIR"

# Use quotes to handle spaces and special characters
tar -czf "$REAL_DIR/backup.tgz" -C "$REAL_DIR" .

$PWD is maintained by the shell and is usually faster than running a new process with $(pwd). Use $(pwd -P) when you must resolve symlinks. Always quote variables to avoid issues with spaces.

4. Save and Restore Directories

# Simple save/restore
OLD_DIR="$(pwd)"
cd /etc
# ...do work...
cd "$OLD_DIR"

# Or use the directory stack (Bash/Zsh)
pushd /var/log >/dev/null
# ...do work...
popd >/dev/null

Directory stacks keep your workflow clean during multi-step deployments or admin tasks.

5. Combine with Relative Paths

cd ../..
echo "Now at: $(pwd)"
# Use "$PWD" in scripts for clarity
cp "$PWD/config/example.env" "$PWD/.env"

Combining pwd with relative navigation (cd) reduces mistakes in complex directory trees, especially in monorepos.

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Troubleshooting and Edge Cases

• Deleted or inaccessible parent directory: If a directory in your path is removed or you lose read/execute permissions, pwd may fail with an error.
• Chroot or containers: Inside chroot, Docker, or Kubernetes pods, pwd shows the path relative to that environment. It’s correct within the namespace but not on the host.
• Network filesystems (NFS): Symlink resolution and latency can affect -P; prefer -P for deterministic behavior in distributed filesystems.
• Non-POSIX shells: Behavior is broadly consistent in modern shells, but scripts should explicitly use -P if canonical paths are required.

# Example error when the directory becomes invalid
cd /tmp/sandbox/child
rm -rf /tmp/sandbox
pwd
# getcwd: cannot access parent directories: No such file or directory

Security and Best Practices

• Quote paths: Always quote “$PWD” and “$(pwd -P)” to handle spaces and special characters safely.
• Prefer $PWD in scripts: It’s fast and maintained by the shell; call pwd -P only when you need the real path.
• Resolve symlinks for sensitive operations: Use -P before deleting, packaging, or syncing to avoid acting on the wrong target.
• Use least privilege: Ensure the user has the minimum required permissions; unexpected “permission denied” states can break scripts depending on pwd.
• Portability: For maximum POSIX portability, use pwd and options -L/-P only if supported by your target environment; test on CI.

Related Commands and Alternatives

• cd: Change directory; use with pwd to verify location.
• pushd/popd/dirs (Bash/Zsh): Manage a directory stack.
• realpath path/ or readlink -f path/: Resolve symlinks for any path, not just the current directory.
• basename / dirname: Extract file or directory components from paths.
• find “$PWD” -type f: Use pwd as a base for searches or batch operations.

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How pwd Fits Into Web Hosting and DevOps Workflows

In hosting and CI/CD pipelines, pwd ensures your scripts run in the right place—avoiding costly mistakes like deploying from a stale directory or removing the wrong folder. For WordPress, verifying the current path helps with tasks such as wp-cli operations, managing document roots (e.g., /var/www/html), and handling symlinked release directories.

At YouStable, our Linux hosting environments support robust shell access and predictable directory structures. Using pwd -P, along with realpath and careful quoting, helps our customers deploy safely, automate backups, and debug quickly. If you’re migrating or building pipelines, our team can help you standardize path handling across staging and production.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming logical and physical paths are the same always check with -P during deployments.
• Forgetting to quote “$PWD” unquoted paths can break scripts with spaces or special characters.
• Mixing shells differences between builtins and binaries can cause subtle bugs; explicitly use /bin/pwd when required.
• Ignoring permissions pwd may fail if intermediate directories aren’t accessible.
• Hardcoding relative paths use “$PWD” or “$(pwd -P)” to keep scripts portable and explicit.

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FAQ’s

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Conclusion

The pwd command in Linux is a small but critical tool for confident command-line work. Mastering logical vs physical paths, preferring $PWD in scripts, and using -P for symlink-heavy deployments will make your workflows safer and more predictable. Building on reliable path handling is a core best practice especially in hosting and CI/CD on platforms like YouStable.