Windows cmd /k (set title) equivalent in Linux
Creates short nicknames for long commands. Add them to ~/.bashrc to make them permanent.
cmd /k (set title)
alias
alias
alias
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "cmd /k (set title)" is used to create command shortcuts (aliases). On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "alias". Creates short nicknames for long commands. Add them to ~/.bashrc to make them permanent. This reference is grouped under Terminal & Shell Scripting → Terminal.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows cmd /k (set title) maps to alias for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux command-line basics.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Create command shortcuts (aliases)
Creates short nicknames for long commands. Add them to ~/.bashrc to make them permanent.
alias
List all current aliases
alias name='command'
Create an alias for this session
unalias name
Remove an alias
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
alias ll='ls -la'
alias cls='clear'
alias update='sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y'
alias myip='curl ifconfig.me'
echo "alias ll='ls -la'" >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# No direct Windows equivalent (doskey macros are similar)
# Create useful aliases:
alias ll='ls -la'
alias cls='clear' # feel at home!
alias update='sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y'
alias myip='curl ifconfig.me'
# Make permanent — add to ~/.bashrc:
echo "alias ll='ls -la'" >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc # reload without restarting terminalReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
alias | List all current aliases |
alias name='command' | Create an alias for this session |
unalias name | Remove an alias |
~/.bashrc | Add aliases here to make them permanent |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "alias" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | alias |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | alias |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | alias |
Same command on this distribution. |
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