Windows prompt equivalent in Linux
Changes the shell prompt format.
prompt
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "prompt" is used to set shell prompt. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "". Changes the shell prompt format. This reference is grouped under Terminal & Shell Scripting → Terminal.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows prompt maps to export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ " for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux command-line basics.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Set shell prompt
Changes the shell prompt format.
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "
Set shell prompt
export --help
Show command help when supported
man export
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: prompt
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "Reference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ " | Set shell prompt |
export --help | Show command help when supported |
man export | Open the manual page when installed |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ "" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ " |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ " |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | export PS1="\u@\h:\w\$ " |
Same command on this distribution. |
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