Using Command-Line Editing

This section provides information about the command-line editor.

Basic Editing

Here are a few basic command-line editing notes:

Case—Keywords are not case sensitive; that is, they can be entered in uppercase, lowercase, or a mix of both. Filenames may be case sensitive. Local filenames are case sensitive; remote filenames are case sensitive if the host system treats filenames as case sensitive. Passwords are case sensitive.
Abbreviating keywords—You may abbreviate keywords using as few characters as you want, as long as the characters provide a unique abbreviation.
Executing a command—Always use the Enter key.

Command-Line Editing Keys

You can use several keys to edit the command line. Table 7 defines the keys for editing the command line. Arrow keys functions only on ANSI-compatible terminals, such as VT100s.

Table 7: Command-Line Editing Keys

Key(s)	Function
Delete or Backspace	Removes characters to left of cursor
Left Arrow	Moves cursor one character to left
Right Arrow	Moves cursor one character to right
Ctrl+a	Moves cursor to beginning of command line
Ctrl+b	Moves cursor back one character
Ctrl+d	Deletes character at cursor
Ctrl+e	Moves cursor to end of command line
Ctrl+f	Moves cursor forward one character
Ctrl+h	Deletes character to left of cursor
Ctrl+k	Deletes all characters from cursor to end of command line
Ctrl+l	Redisplays system prompt and command line
Ctrl+o	Toggles overwrite/insert mode
Ctrl+q	Resumes a Telnet or console session; use if the Telnet or console session appears frozen or unresponsive
Ctrl+s	Suspends a Telnet or console session
Ctrl+t	Transposes character to left of cursor with character located at cursor
Ctrl+u	Deletes entire command line
Ctrl+v	Allows the “ ?” character to be used as a character instead of as a request for help
Ctrl+w	Deletes the previous word
Ctrl+x	In all modes, reboots the system. This feature is useful if a command is taking a prolonged time to complete and hangs the console. The command has no effect if you access the system through Telnet. Set the boot option flag by using the service ctrl-x-reboot command from Global Configuration mode.
Ctrl+y	Recalls most recent entry from delete buffer; recalled characters overwrite or are inserted in current line depending on overwrite/insert toggle
Ctrl+z	In all modes except User Exec mode, executes any command typed immediately before the command sequence and then changes the mode to Privileged Exec mode. In User Exec mode, only executes any command typed immediately before the command sequence.
Esc+b	Moves cursor back one word
Esc+Backspace	Deletes previous word
Esc+d	Deletes current or next word
Esc+f	Moves cursor forward one word

Command History Keys

The CLI maintains two separate command histories. The first command history maintains only Exec mode commands. The second history maintains all commands entered in any of the configuration modes. The appropriate history will automatically be restored as you transition between Global Configuration mode and Exec mode.

Table 8 defines the keys related to command history. Arrow keys functions only on ANSI-compatible terminals, such as VT100s.

Table 8: Command History Keys

Key	Function
Up Arrow or Ctrl+p	Recalls commands in history buffer, starting with most recent command. Repeat key sequence to recall successively older commands.
Down Arrow or Ctrl+n	Returns to more recent commands in history buffer after recalling commands with Up Arrow or Ctrl+p. Repeat key sequence to recall successively more recent commands.
Ctrl+r	Begin a reverse search for a previously entered string in the history buffer by providing a character string when prompted. Enter Ctrl+r to continue searching. Ctrl+h or Del deletes the last character in the string and starts a search on the new string.

Pagination Keys

If the system needs to display more text than you can fit on the screen, the output pauses and the --More-- prompt appears. Table 9 defines the pagination keys that you can use when the --More-- prompt appears. For more information, see The - -More- - Prompt.

Table 9: Pagination Keys

Key	Function
Enter	Scrolls down one more line
Spacebar	Displays one more screen
+	Displays all output lines that contain the text string
–	Displays all output lines that do not contain the text string
/	Displays all output lines starting at the first line that contains the text string
Any other key	Aborts output and returns you to command prompt