> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ploegert.gitbook.io/til/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ploegert.gitbook.io/til/programmy/linux/is-app-installed/change-the-current-directory-for-psql.md).

# Change The Current Directory For psql

When you start a `psql` session, your current directory is what `psql` will use as its current directory. This is important for meta-commands that use relative paths based on the current directory -- for instance, the `\i` meta-command for importing files.

You can change the current directory within a `psql` session using the `\cd` meta-command.

If my current directory is `home` and there is a `sql` directory in \`home, these commands will do the following:

```sql
\! pwd
-- /home
\cd sql
\! pwd
-- /home/sql
```

The `\cd` meta-command even supports tab completion relative to the current directory.

You can also change to your home directory using just `\cd`.