How to Run a Shell Script With Just Using the Script Name in Linux

1. Make File Executable in Bash
2. Run the Script Without Typing bash or sh

This article will explain how to run a shell script by using the script name in Linux.

First, we will set the file as executable. Next, we will examine ways to run the script with the name only.

We have example.sh in $HOME/folder/example.sh. Here is the content of the shell script file.

echo "Hello, World!"

Make File Executable in Bash

• Add shebang at the beginning of the script.

#!/bin/bash

• Add execute permission to the file.

sudo chmod +x example.sh

Run the Script Without Typing bash or sh

We can use different methods to run a shell script from anywhere in the Linux terminal without adding bash or sh commands.

Move the Script to Under the $PATH

Move the script to a directory under the $PATH like /usr/local/bin.

sudo mv $HOME/folder/example.sh /usr/local/bin 

Use the install Command in Linux

The install command can also move the script to a directory under the $PATH.

sudo install example.sh /usr/local/bin/example

Add the Script Directory to the $PATH

Add the script directory ($HOME/folder/) to the $PATH in .bashrc

PATH="$PATH:$HOME/folder/"

Use source to update Bash.

source ~/.bashrc

Create alias for the Script Execute Command

Create an alias that points to the full command to run the script.

alias example.sh="bash $HOME/folder/example.sh"