How to Run a .sh File in Linux: A Complete Guide

Shell scripts are one of Linux's most powerful features — they let you automate tasks, configure systems, and execute sequences of commands with a single file. But if you're new to Linux or just haven't needed to run one before, the process isn't always obvious. Here's exactly how it works.

What Is a .sh File?

A .sh file is a plain text file containing a series of shell commands. When executed, Linux reads those commands and runs them in sequence — like a script for a play, but for your terminal. These files are typically written for bash (Bourne Again SHell), which is the default shell on most Linux distributions, though they can also target sh, zsh, dash, or others.

The .sh extension is a convention, not a requirement. Linux doesn't rely on file extensions to determine how to handle files — it looks at file permissions and content instead.

Step 1: Open a Terminal

Everything here happens in the command-line terminal. On most desktop Linux environments, you can open one with Ctrl + Alt + T or by searching for "Terminal" in your application launcher.

Navigate to the directory containing your script using the cd command: