Linux exit Command Summary with Examples

1. Purpose - Learn what exit is for and how to find help.
2. Options - Review a few common options and arguments.
3. Examples - Walk through code examples with exit.
4. A tip - Finish off with one more insight.

by Paul Alan Davis, CFA

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Examples of the Linux exit Command

Beginner

Learn to close the terminal at the Linux command line.

Video Tutorial

Videos can also be accessed from the Linux Essentials Playlist on YouTube.

Linux exit Command Summary with Examples (2:48)

Video Script

The Command and Why You Need It

Our first word, or command to memorize is exit from the category Navigation.

exit allows you to logout, close the Terminal and go back to your visually appealing GUI.

Common Linux exit Options

If it helps, think of commands as mini programs and most have this structure. First, type the command, second the option(s) and third the argument(s).

The exit command interestingly has no options and no arguments. It is lowercase exit followed by Enter.

Normally we will cover two to three of the most important options, marked with a dash and a letter. Like -a for example. Options can be combined to perform multiple options at once.

Arguments usually refer to files or directories you're performing the operation on, but in this case we have none.

So why is exit an important command? Well, you need to know how to get in to the terminal, and how to get out. And now you know how to do that.

Demonstration

Okay, the best way to embed this in your memory is by typing in your own terminal window.

Find this on your Mac using a program called Terminal. On Linux use Terminal or Konsole, and currently Microsoft is adding this functionality to Windows 10.

Here we go, type exit and no options and no arguments, hit enter and you're done.

A Final Tip

Okay now you know how to use exit. And you know the syntax for commands, options and arguments.

One last tip about the exit command. The keystroke combination Ctrl-d accomplishes the same thing with fewer keystrokes.

Okay, thanks for visiting today. I hope this was a fun exploration of the exit command.

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