# Stop Typing `npm run dev`: Create a Bash Alias in Linux

Canonical: https://snipgeek.com/notes/create-bash-alias-linux-terminal
Locale: en
Description: Learn how to create a simple bash alias in your Linux terminal to save time and avoid typing long commands like npm run dev every single day.
Date: 2026-03-31
Updated: 
Tags: linux, tutorial, ubuntu, setup, bash
JSON: https://snipgeek.com/api/notes/create-bash-alias-linux-terminal?locale=en

---


One of the most repetitive things I do every day is opening a terminal, navigating to my project folder (`cd ~/Documents/SnipGeek`), and running `npm run dev`. It gets tiring to type the exact same string constantly.

In Linux, you can create a bash **alias**—a permanent custom shortcut for any long command. Instead of typing that whole line, I just type `snipgeek` and the local server starts instantly. Here is how you can set it up for your own workflow.

<Steps>
  <Step>
  ### Open your `.bashrc` file
  The `.bashrc` file is a configuration script that Linux runs automatically every time you open a new terminal window. You can edit it directly using `nano`:
  
  ```bash
  nano ~/.bashrc
  ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
  ### Add the alias command
  Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the file. I usually leave a blank line before adding my custom aliases to keep the file visually structured. Add this exact line:
  
  ```bash
  alias snipgeek="cd ~/Documents/SnipGeek && npm run dev"
  ```
  
  Replace `snipgeek` with whatever shortcut name you prefer, and adjust the folder path to match your actual project repository location.
  </Step>
  
  <Step>
  ### Save and exit
  Since we are using `nano`, you need to use keyboard combinations to save your changes:
  - Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>O</kbd> to save.
  - Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> to confirm the filename.
  - Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>X</kbd> to exit the editor.
  
  I used to forget this flow and accidentally close the terminal without saving, so memorizing these shortcuts early is surprisingly helpful.
  </Step>

  <Step>
  ### Apply the new configuration
  By default, the terminal won't recognize your new alias until you close and reopen it. To apply the changes immediately without closing the current window, run:
  
  ```bash
  source ~/.bashrc
  ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
  ### Test your new shortcut
  Now you are done. From anywhere in your terminal, simply type your alias name:
  
  ```bash
  snipgeek
  ```
  
  ![Alias snipgeek terminal output](/images/_notes/npm-run-shortcut/npm-snipgeek.webp)
  <div className="-mt-3 mb-6 text-center text-sm italic text-muted-foreground">My terminal quickly jumping to the main project directory and booting up the development server.</div>

  If the directory path is correct, your terminal will instantly jump to the project folder and fire up the development server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout variant="info" title="Using Zsh instead of Bash?">
  If your system defaults to `zsh` instead of `bash` (you can check by running `echo $SHELL`), the configuration file is different. You need to edit `~/.zshrc` instead of `~/.bashrc`. The rest of the setup is exactly the same.
</Callout>

## More Alias Ideas

If you have a habit of navigating to your specific folders manually, you can create a simpler alias just for starting the server:

```bash
alias dev="npm run dev"
```

You are not limited to one alias. I rely heavily on these short forms during busy days to handle quick Git operations or open my code editor seamlessly:

```bash
alias gs="git status"
alias gp="git push"
alias code.="code ."
```

Little things like this are what make working in Linux such a joy. You spend two minutes configuring things once, and it smoothly saves you time every single day. Give it a try, and tweak your own terminal space into something that perfectly fits your development habits!