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How to use bash-completion

• Audience: All users
• Requires: -

Introduction

bash-completion is a set of bash scripts which enables customized completion for specific commands.

This is not just for files and directories, but also e.g. for the commands of port. So you type port <Tab> and get a list of all possible commands.

Installation

Step 1: Install bash-completion

$ sudo port install bash-completion

Step 2: Enable bash-completion in your .bash_profile

You have to add bash-completion to your .profile or .bash_profile.

First, locate the file you are using. If there is a .bash_profile edit this file, if there is only .profile you want to edit this. If neither file exists create .bash_profile.

Open the file in any editor and add the following lines. Make sure you add this after any PATH manipulation as otherwise the bash-completion will not work correctly.

# bash-completion
if [ -f /opt/local/etc/bash_completion ]; then
    . /opt/local/etc/bash_completion
fi

Important: Reopen your Terminal afterwards.

Important: The port bash-completion >=2.0 requires bash >=4.1; please make sure you are using ${prefix}/bin/bash by changing the preferences of your terminal accordingly. If your version of bash is too old, the script above will not modify your shell environment and no extended completion will be available.

And you are done. From now on, you are able to use customized bash-completion.

Optional Parts

Install +bash_completion variant automatically with all ports

Open the file /opt/local/etc/macports/variants.conf in any editor and add a new line:

+bash_completion

From now on, MacPorts will automatically select the bash_completion variant for all ports if available.

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