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In the terminal, I can type CRTL+R to search for a matching command previously typed in BASH. E.g., if I type CTRL+R then grep is lists my last grep command, and I can hit enter to use it. This only gives one suggestion though. Is there any way to cycle through other previously typed matching commands?

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Keep hitting Ctrl+R. – Sukminder Apr 24 at 2:10
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@Sukminder You don't consider that an answer? – Hauke Laging Apr 24 at 2:25
@HaukeLaging: Yes, perhaps ;) if I read the Q correctly. – Sukminder Apr 24 at 2:32
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@Sukminder Then you should copy it into an answer, enabling yourself to get the bravely earned upvotes and this question to get closed (as solved). – Hauke Laging Apr 24 at 2:33

2 Answers

up vote 17 down vote accepted

If I understand the question correctly you should be able to cycle trough alternatives by keep hitting Ctrl+R.

E.g.:

Ctrl+R grep Ctrl+R Ctrl+R ...

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+1 -- FYI -- you can also search forward as per this StackOverflow answer. – Jordan Arseno Apr 24 at 21:14
up vote 6 down vote

You can also set up the up and down arrows to do a slightly different search by adding these lines to ~/.inputrc:

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

Instead of searching for a substring anywhere in the command (like Ctrl-r) it will search for a command starting with the text to the left of the cursor. For example, if I run these commands:

$ ls bart
$ ls fools

then type ls and press Up twice, it will show ls bart and the cursor in the same place. Compare with Ctrl-r, where it would find the ls twice in the last line, so you'd have to press it once again to find the previous line.

These approaches both have their strengths, and both of them can save a lot of time.

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