Q. I’m using BASH shell filename tab completion feature to complete file names and other stuff. However default tab-completion in bash case-sensitive. It cannot show me /tmp/Y* or /tmp/Y* files. How do I force filename tab-completion in bash case insensitive?
A. According to bash man page completion-ignore-case set to Off. If set to On, readline performs filename matching and completion in a case-insensitive fashion. Readline has variables that can be used to further customize its behavior. A variable may be set in the /etc/inputrc file with a statement of the form. So all you have to do is type following command:
$ set completion-ignore-case on
You need to add set completion-ignore-case on to /etc/inputrc command:
vi /etc/inputrc
Append text as follows:
set completion-ignore-case on
Close and save the file. For more information read bash man page.
Featured Articles:
- 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
- 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
- My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
- Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins

- 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
- The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
- 10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009
- Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
- Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
- Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software
- Top 5 Linux Video Editor Software
Facebook it - Tweet it - Print it -


{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
For tcsh / zsh users:
set complete enhance
Thanks to you. This enabled me to explore further on input configurations and startup settings
Thanks to you. This enabled me to explore /etc more and will be helpful in startup settings and input configurations.
Doesn’t work.
Last one was meant @Corey Hart. WP does not seem to take into account which Reply button was clicked, quite surprising behavior…