> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://igb.mit.edu/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://igb.mit.edu/mini-courses/introduction-to-unix-and-ki-computational-resources/basic-unix/the-unix-terminal-and-shell.md).
# The Unix Terminal and Shell
### **Terminal**
* Common name for the interface that allows you to input commands and see the output from commands.
### **Command prompt**
* Sequence of one or more characters, such as $ or % in combination with other customizable elements, such as the username or the current working directory.
* It indicates readiness to accept commands.
### **Shell**
* Command line interpreter.
* Users operate the computer by entering command input as text for a shell to execute or by creating text scripts of one or more such commands.
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