How to add a python script as a terminal command?

Question

Lets say I have a script which creates a file and writes something into it (but could be anything). It could be a script that runs a set of xrandr commands to set a resolution, for example.

Is there a way in which I can create a command (working only on my system) that executes the file, even if the file is not in my working directory?

Just speculation, but couldn't you add its parent directory to your $PATH? That would let you run it by typing just its name, wouldn't it? — TheWanderer, Nov 20 '15 at 15:36
For stuff that's specific to me, I put it in my ~/bin directory, and that directory is in my $PATH — glenn jackman, Nov 20 '15 at 15:51
You could chuck it into a folder that appears in echo $PATH - or you can add a folder to the the path (note may not work with sudo). There must be atleast 50 questions already like this... — Wilf, Nov 20 '15 at 16:04

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 20 '15 at 16:23

4

In Ubuntu, the default .profile adds your $HOME/bin directory to $PATH, assuming the former exists. This means that you can create a bin directory in your home, and any executables in there can be run without specifying the full path, which is what you want.

In the case of a Python script, also make sure that it's executable (chmod u+x blahblah) and it has the proper shebang on the first line, usually:

#!/usr/bin/python

edited Nov 20 '15 at 16:23

Andrea Corbellini

15,826

answered Nov 20 '15 at 16:16

roadmr

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Additionally, after creating the ~/bin directory, you need to either close and reopen your terminal window or run source ~/.profile again. Otherwise the PATH will not be updated yet. – Byte Commander Nov 20 '15 at 17:13

How to add a python script as a terminal command?

1 Answers1