Ubuntu: Bash history search, partial + up-arrow

README.md

Both methods below are almost equivalent, it just depends on which file you want to edit. I'd recommend .bashrc myself, as it doesn't involve editing a local copy of a system file.

If you experience any problems with this, please comment below so that it can be fixed.

Using ~/.bashrc

1. Edit ~/.bashrc with this command:

gedit ~/.bashrc

2. Add the following lines:

bind '"\e[A": history-search-backward'
bind '"\e[B": history-search-forward'

3. Save then close the file.
4. Execute this command in a terminal:

source ~/.bashrc

Using ~/.inputrc

1. Execute this command in a terminal:

cp /etc/inputrc ~/.inputrc

2. Edit the new ~/.inputrc file with this command:

gedit ~/.inputrc

3. Append these lines to the file:

"\e[A": history-search-backward
"\e[B": history-search-forward

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References:

• incremental history searching with .inputrc ?
• In bash, how do I bind a function key to a command?

Source:

• Bash history search, partial + up-arrow