Reputation: 1523

How do I paste multi-line bash codes into terminal and run it all at once?

I need to paste a multi-line bash code into terminal, but whenever I do, each line gets run as a separate command as soon as it gets pasted.

Upvotes: 152

Answers (13)

Chris Allen

Reputation: 21

So I think for very long command (namely compiling a file with llvm!) this has given me the most ease of us over the others Ive tried in the past. I use it all the time to thrash out a command in an editor over multiple lines:

cat | paste -sd " "  - | xargs echo

This will open up cat standard input in the terminal, paste in the code and follow up with ctrl-d (mentioned before this adds a EOF char and ends CAT process). Paste takes in the cat input and scoops up all multi lines into a space char. This will ONLY echo out the command.

To execute the command just add sh to the end:

cat | paste -sd " "  - | xargs echo | sh

Or alternatively I like to make the output an alias command, place in .zshrc

alias mcmd='cat | paste -sd " "  - | xargs echo'

then to execute

> mcmd | sh

this will open cat, paste in your multi line command, ctrl d and will execute the multi lines as a one line command :)

Example command

>    mcmd;
# now paste in your long command
> llvm-g++
    main.mm
    -o
    buildApp
    -w
    -g
    -std=c++14
    -L/System/Library/Frameworks/
    -framework
    CoreServices
     # now key press ctrl + d

whoop! outputs single line

 llvm-g++ main.mm -o buildApp -w -g -std=c++14 -L/System/Library/Frameworks/ -framework CoreServices

Upvotes: 2

Patrick Stetz

Reputation: 495

I'm surprised no one's said this, but you can use fc to paste all the commands in an editor and run them at once

Upvotes: 4

Tom Russell

Reputation: 1063

I have vi key bindings set in my shell. I don't recall, offhand, how I configured this. But when entering a command, I can switch from editing into command mode, type v and have the command automatically pop up in a vim session. Exiting the session (:wq) submits the command to bash for execution.

Upvotes: -1

opsguy

Reputation: 1851

Try putting \ at the end of each line before copying it.

Example:

echo "Hello world" && \
script_b.sh

echo $?

The exit code ($?) is now the full sequence of commands, and not just the last command.

Upvotes: 142

TryTryAgain

Reputation: 7830

I'm really surprised this answer isn't offered here, I was in search of a solution to this question and I think this is the easiest approach, and more flexible/forgiving...

If you'd like to paste multiple lines from a website/text editor/etc., into bash, regardless of whether it's commands per line or a function or entire script... simply start with a ( and end with a ) and Enter, like in the following example:

If I had the following blob

function hello {
    echo Hello!
}
hello

You can paste and verify in a terminal using bash by:

Starting with (
Pasting your text, and pressing Enter (to make it pretty)... or not
Ending with a ) and pressing Enter

Example:

imac:~ home$ ( function hello {
>     echo Hello!
> }
> hello
> )
Hello!
imac:~ home$

The pasted text automatically gets continued with a prepending > for each line. I've tested with multiple lines with commands per line, functions and entire scripts. Hope this helps others save some time!

Upvotes: 101

jeffery.yuan

Reputation: 1255

iTerm handles multiple-line command perfectly, it saves multiple-lines command as one command, then we can use Cmd+ Shift + ; to navigate the history.

Check more iTerm tips at Working effectively with iTerm

Upvotes: 2

Lenar Hoyt

Reputation: 6159

Another possibility:

bash << EOF
echo "Hello"
echo "World"
EOF

Upvotes: 21

voltento

Reputation: 887

Try this way:

echo $( 
    cmd1
    cmd2
    ...
)

Upvotes: 1

abrkn

Reputation: 2061

Add parenthesis around the lines. Example:

$ (
sudo apt-get update
dokku apps
dokku ps:stop APP # repeat to shut down each running app
sudo apt-get install -qq -y dokku herokuish sshcommand plugn
dokku ps:rebuildall # rebuilds all applications
)

Upvotes: 20

itirazimvar

Reputation: 929

If you press C-x C-e command that will open your default editor which defined .bashrc, after that you can use all powerful features of your editor. When you save and exit, the lines will wait your enter.

If you want to define your editor, just write for Ex. EDITOR=emacs -nw or EDITOR=vi inside of ~/.bashrc

Upvotes: 51