> 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/the-unix-shell/using-the-unix-shell/viewing-the-unix-tree.md).

# Viewing the Unix Tree

* `pwd`
  * This command name stands for "print working directory".
  * It displays on the terminal the absolute path name of the current (working) directory.
  * It is useful to locate where you are currently in the Unix tree.

```bash
# print working directory
pwd
```

* `ls`
  * This command stands for "list".
  * It displays the content of a directory.
  * By default, the content is listed in lexicographic order.

```bash
# list the content of the current directory
ls
ls .

# list content of the parent directory
ls ..

# list the contens of your home directory from anywhere
ls ~
```