How do I check which directory I am in on a Linux server?
Use pwd to display the working directory of the remote shell. A path beginning with / is absolute; a relative path is interpreted from your current directory. The directory on your Windows computer is separate from the directory shown after an SSH login.
Before you start
- An authorised SSH session on the Linux server.
Instructions
1. Confirm the remote location
Run these commands after SSH has opened the Linux shell. The physical-path form resolves symbolic links, which helps when a deployment directory is reached through a link.
pwd
pwd -PCompare the logical location with the resolved filesystem path; neither command changes files.
2. Move using an explicit path
Use your own home directory for practice. Quote paths containing spaces, and check the location again before running a command that creates or removes anything.
cd "$HOME"
pwd
ls -ld -- . ..cd changes only this shell’s working directory. A single dot means the current directory; two dots mean its parent.
Check the result
- pwd prints the expected remote absolute path, and ls identifies the current directory without changing its contents.
Troubleshooting
- The directory differs between terminals
- Each SSH session has its own working directory. Set it explicitly in every session or script.
- pwd and pwd -P differ
- A path component is a symbolic link. Use the resolved target when diagnosing ownership or a missing mount.
Official references
Use the documentation for your installed version when a flag, service name or platform feature differs.