Initialization Files

Different initialization files are used in different linux flavours.

In Linux, what startup and termination files do the various shells use?

csh #

Some versions have systemwide .cshrc and .login files. Each version puts them in different places.

Startup #

Startup (in following order)

• .cshrc (always)
• .login (login shells)

Upon Termination #

• .logout (login shells)

Others #

• .history (saves history based on $savehist)

tcsh #

Startup #

Startup (in Follwing order)

• /etc/csh.cshrc (always)
• /etc/csh.login (login shells)
• .tcshrc (always)
• .cshrc (if no .tcshrc file is present)
• .login (login shells)

Upon Termination #

• .logout (login shells)

Others #

• .history (saves history based on $savehist)
• .cshdirs (saves directory stack)

sh #

Startup #

Startup (in Follwing order)

• /etc/profile (login shells)
• .profile (login shells)

Upon Termination #

• Any command or script specified using the command,

trap {command} 0 

ksh #

Startup #

Startup (in Follwing order)

• /etc/profile (login shells)
• .profile (login shells)
• $ENV (always, if it is set)

Upon Termination #

• Any command or script specified using the command,

trap {command} 0 

bash #

Startup #

Startup (in Follwing order)

• /etc/profile (login shells)
• .bash_profile (login shells)
• .profile (login if no .bash_profile file is present)
• .bashrc (interactive non-login shells)
• $ENV (non-interactive shells)

Upon Termination #

• .bash_logout (login shells)

Others #

• .inputrc (readline initialization)