Alex Ruben
How To Run a Script From a Different Directory on Linux/Ubuntu
Running scripts from various folders is one of those things that seems simple but trips people up more often than you’d think. Maybe you’re juggling multiple scripts for tasks or just trying to keep things organized across directories, and suddenly you realize you can’t just run it by typing the filename because it’s not in your current directory. Or maybe permissions are a pain. Anyway, this guide covers some real-world ways to execute scripts in other places—because, of course, Linux and *nix systems love making it complicated. Hope it saves a few headaches.
How to Run Scripts from Other Directories in Linux or Unix
Using the Full Path to the Script
This is the easiest, no-nonsense approach. If you know exactly where your script lives, just type the full path in the terminal. For example, if you’ve got a script at /home/user/scripts/myscript.sh, just run:
/home/user/scripts/myscript.shBut don’t forget—your script has to be executable, or Linux will throw a permissions error. You can check that with:
ls -l /home/user/scripts/myscript.shIf you see something like -rw-r--r-- and no x for execute, you’ll need to make it executable:
chmod +x /home/user/scripts/myscript.shOn some setups, that permission change might fail the first time or require a reboot, so an extra `sudo` might help if there are ownership issues. Once it’s executable, running the full path works like magic—and skips a lot of mess.
Changing into the Script’s Directory
If you’re running several scripts in the same folder or want to keep things tidy, just change directory first:
cd /home/user/scriptsThen execute the script like:
./myscript.shThis is kinda cleaner when you’re working interactively because it’s like “stay in that folder” mode. Just don’t forget the ./ prefix—Linux isn’t gonna look for it in your PATH automatically.
Pro tip: if your script isn’t marked executable but you trust it, you can run it with bash directly:
bash myscript.shThis bypasses permissions, but use it with trustworthy scripts—because, of course, Linux has to make it harder than it should be sometimes.
Using the Bash Command to Run Scripts from Anywhere
If you want a quick way without fussing with permissions too much, just run:
bash /home/user/scripts/myscript.shThis works whether or not the script is executable, which is kind of handy when you’re testing or in a hurry. Not gonna lie, on some machines this feels faster, but it’s a little less tidy for frequent use.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Always double-check your script for errors before clicking “run,” especially if permissions or paths are involved. Nothing kills productivity like a typo that’s hidden in a script.
- If you keep running scripts from the same directory, consider adding that directory to your PATH. That way, you can run scripts just by typing their name—no more remember the full path every time.
- If things go sideways, try debugging by running
bash -x /path/to/yourscript.sh. It’ll print every command before executing it, which is great for catching sneaky bugs.
Wrap-up
Getting comfortable executing scripts in different folders is an essential Linux skill. Whether by full path, changing directories, or just running through bash, these methods help keep everything flexible. Over time, you’ll find the combo that works best for your workflow. And honestly, once you get used to it, it feels pretty natural—like second nature. Well, mostly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run scripts written in languages other than Bash?
Totally. Just specify the interpreter. For example, for Python scripts, you’d run python /path/to/script.py. Same principle applies for Perl, Ruby, or any other language.
What if I get a “Permission Denied” error?
That’s usually because the script isn’t marked as executable. Just run chmod +x /path/to/script. Sometimes you might have to preface that with sudo if permissions are locked down.
Is there a way to run scripts automatically during system boot?
Yeah, you can add scripts to system startup via systemd service files, or put them in cron (like with crontab -e), or for older systems, maybe init scripts. But that’s a whole other story.
Summary
- Full path runs scripts quick and dirty.
- Changing directory keeps things neat for multiple scripts.
- Using
bashworks like a cheat code for permissions. - Permissions matter—make sure scripts are executable.
- Adding directories to PATH can streamline repeated tasks.