19. exit

Congratulations on completing the foundational lessons of your Linux journey! You've covered essential Linux basics, and now it's time to learn how to properly end your session. Exiting the Linux shell is a simple but important final step.

The Exit Command

The most common way to end a shell session is with the exit command. When you type exit and press Enter, the current shell process terminates. This is a universal command that works in virtually any shell environment, making it a fundamental part of any beginner Linux tutorial.

exit

The Logout Command

Another command you can use for a terminal exit is logout. This command is specifically designed to terminate a login shell. While in many modern systems it behaves similarly to exit, it's good practice to know both commands.

logout

Closing the Terminal Window

If you are working within a graphical user interface (GUI), you also have the option to simply close the terminal window. This action typically sends a signal that terminates the shell session running inside it, providing a quick way to perform a terminal exit.

You've successfully learned how to navigate, work with files, and now, how to exit the shell. Take a well-deserved break, and we'll see you in the next course to continue your learning!

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Exercises

While there are no specific labs for this topic, we recommend exploring the comprehensive Linux Learning Path to practice related Linux skills and concepts.

Quiz

What is the most common command to exit from the Linux shell? Please answer using only a single lowercase English word.