Rename Files Faster in Linux: Bash Function & Shortcut Tricks

Problem

Renaming a file with mv normally requires typing the full source and destination names, e.g. mv file1.txt file2.txt. For long filenames this duplication is tedious.

Method 1: Bash function that prompts for the new name

Edit your ~/.bashrc (or the appropriate shell startup file) and append the following function:

# Bash function to rename a file without re‑typing the old name
function mv() {
  # If the call does not have exactly one existing argument, fall back to the real mv
  if [ "$#" -ne 1 ] || [ ! -e "$1" ]; then
    command mv "$@"
    return
  fi
  # Prompt the user with the current name, allowing in‑place editing
  read -ei "$1" newfilename
  # Perform the rename with verbose output
  command mv -v -- "$1" "$newfilename"
}

After saving, reload the file: source ~/.bashrc Now you can rename a file by typing only the original name: mv file1.txt The shell will display the current name, let you edit it directly, and execute the rename when you press Enter . The function falls back to the real mv for any usage that does not match the single‑argument pattern (e.g., moving multiple files, using options, etc.).

Method 2: Brace expansion for simple pattern changes

If only a part of the filename changes, Bash brace expansion can generate the source and destination in a single command.

# Rename file1.txt to file2.txt
mv file{1,2}.txt

The same syntax works with cp to keep the original and create a copy:

# Copy file1.txt to file2.txt
cp file{1,2}.txt

This technique is limited to patterns that can be expressed with a single pair of braces.

Method 3: Shell line‑editing shortcuts

Most interactive shells support the following shortcuts while editing a command line:

Ctrl+W – cuts (deletes) the word immediately before the cursor and stores it in the kill ring.

Ctrl+Y – yanks (pastes) the most recently killed text at the cursor position.

When renaming, you can type the first filename, press Ctrl+W to delete it, type the second filename, and then press Ctrl+Y to paste the first name back, avoiding re‑typing the whole string.