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Effective Shell: A Practical User's Guide to Working Smarter on the Command Line

AUTHOR Kerr, Dave; Kerr, David
PUBLISHER No Starch Press (07/29/2025)
PRODUCT TYPE Paperback (Paperback)

Description
Master the tools. Build the workflow. Own the shell.

Effective Shell is the hands-on guide for developers who want to master the command line--not just to get around, but to build a fast, flexible, and portable development environment.

This isn't a tour of shell commands. It's a blueprint for creating workflows that scale across machines, teams, and projects. You'll go from keystroke-level efficiency to composing powerful pipelines, writing reliable scripts, and automating common development tasks. Then you'll take it further: managing your configuration with Git, customizing your shell setup, and working seamlessly across remote sessions using tools like Vim and tmux.

By the end, your shell won't just be a tool; it'll be an extension of your thinking.

You'll learn how to:

  • Find, filter, and reshape data using grep, regular expressions, and shell pipelines
  • Write scripts that automate setup, configuration, and repetitive tasks
  • Create Python-based CLI tools to pull and process structured data
  • Manage your environment with Git and version-controlled dot files
  • Edit quickly with Vim and multitask efficiently using terminal multiplexers
  • Use AI tools to generate commands, debug faster, and enhance automation

Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all toolkit, Effective Shell teaches you the tools, practices, and strategies to build a shell environment that fits the way you work--efficient, portable, and entirely yours.

Whether you're leveling up from the basics or refining your craft, this book will help you think clearly, automate confidently, and work more effectively in the shell.

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Product Format
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9781718504141
ISBN-10: 1718504144
Binding: Paperback or Softback (Trade Paperback (Us))
Content Language: English
More Product Details
Page Count: 472
Carton Quantity: 14
Product Dimensions: 7.00 x 1.20 x 9.20 inches
Weight: 2.00 pound(s)
Feature Codes: Price on Product
Country of Origin: US
Subject Information
BISAC Categories
Computers | Programming - Open Source
Computers | Languages - General
Computers | Operating Systems - Linux
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
publisher marketing
Master the tools. Build the workflow. Own the shell.

Effective Shell is the hands-on guide for developers who want to master the command line--not just to get around, but to build a fast, flexible, and portable development environment.

This isn't a tour of shell commands. It's a blueprint for creating workflows that scale across machines, teams, and projects. You'll go from keystroke-level efficiency to composing powerful pipelines, writing reliable scripts, and automating common development tasks. Then you'll take it further: managing your configuration with Git, customizing your shell setup, and working seamlessly across remote sessions using tools like Vim and tmux.

By the end, your shell won't just be a tool; it'll be an extension of your thinking.

You'll learn how to:

  • Find, filter, and reshape data using grep, regular expressions, and shell pipelines
  • Write scripts that automate setup, configuration, and repetitive tasks
  • Create Python-based CLI tools to pull and process structured data
  • Manage your environment with Git and version-controlled dot files
  • Edit quickly with Vim and multitask efficiently using terminal multiplexers
  • Use AI tools to generate commands, debug faster, and enhance automation

Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all toolkit, Effective Shell teaches you the tools, practices, and strategies to build a shell environment that fits the way you work--efficient, portable, and entirely yours.

Whether you're leveling up from the basics or refining your craft, this book will help you think clearly, automate confidently, and work more effectively in the shell.

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List Price $49.99
Your Price  $49.49
Paperback