FISH\_ADD\_PATH(1) fish-shell FISH\_ADD\_PATH(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

fish\_add\_path - add to the path

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

```
fish_add_path path ...
fish_add_path [(-g | --global) | (-U | --universal) | (-P | --path)] [(-m | --move)] [(-a | --append) | (-p | --prepend)] [(-v | --verbose) | (-n | --dry-run)] PATHS ...
```

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

**fish\_add\_path** is a simple way to add more directories to fish's **PATH** <#envvar-PATH>. It does this by adding the directories either to **fish\_user\_paths** <#envvar-fish\_user\_paths> or directly to **PATH** <#envvar-PATH> (if the **--path** switch is given).

It is (by default) safe to use **fish\_add\_path** in config.fish, or it can be used once, interactively, and the paths will stay in future because of universal variables <#variables-universal>. This is a "do what I mean" style command - it tries to do the right thing by default, and follow your lead on what you have already set up (e.g. by using a global **fish\_user\_paths** <#envvar-fish\_user\_paths> if you have that already). If you need more control, consider modifying the variable yourself.

Directories are normalized with realpath <>. Trailing slashes are ignored and relative paths are made absolute (but symlinks are not resolved). If a directory is already included, it is not added again and stays in the same place unless the **--move** switch is given.

Directories are added in the order they are given, and they are prepended to the path unless **--append** is given. If $fish\_user\_paths is used, that means they are last in $fish\_user\_paths, which is itself prepended to **PATH** <#envvar-PATH>, so they still stay ahead of the system paths. If the **--path** option is used, the paths are appended/prepended to **PATH** <#envvar-PATH> directly, so this doesn't happen.

With **--path**, because **PATH** <#envvar-PATH> must be a global variable instead of a universal one, the changes won't persist, so those calls need to be stored in config.fish <#configuration>. This also applies to **fish\_user\_paths** <#envvar-fish\_user\_paths> if you make it global (for instance by passing **--global**).

If no directory is new, the variable (**fish\_user\_paths** <#envvar-fish\_user\_paths> or **PATH** <#envvar-PATH>) is not set again or otherwise modified, so variable handlers are not triggered.

If an argument is not an existing directory, **fish\_add\_path** ignores it.

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

[**-a** or **--append**](#a)

Add directories to the *end* of the variable.

[**-p** or **--prepend**](#p)

Add directories to the *front* of the variable (this is the default).

[**-g** or **--global**](#g)

Use a global **fish\_user\_paths** <#envvar-fish\_user\_paths>.

[**-U** or **--universal**](#U)

Use a universal **fish\_user\_paths** <#envvar-fish\_user\_paths> - this is the default if it doesn't already exist.

[**-P** or **--path**](#P)

Manipulate **PATH** <#envvar-PATH> directly.

[**-m** or **--move**](#m)

Move already-included directories to the place they would be added - by default they would be left in place and not added again.

[**-v** or **--verbose**](#v)

Print the set <> command used, and some more warnings, like when a path is skipped because it doesn't exist or is not a directory. Verbose mode is automatically enabled when fish\_add\_path is used interactively and the output goes to the terminal.

[**-n** or **--dry-run**](#n)

Print the **set** command that would be used without executing it.

[**-h** or **--help**](#h)

Displays help about using this command.

If **--move** is used, it may of course lead to the path swapping order, so you should be careful doing that in config.fish.

# [EXAMPLE](#EXAMPLE)

```
# I just installed mycoolthing and need to add it to the path to use it.
# It is at /opt/mycoolthing/bin/mycoolthing,
# so let's add the directory: /opt/mycoolthing/bin.
> fish_add_path /opt/mycoolthing/bin
# I want my ~/.local/bin to be checked first,
# even if it was already added.
> fish_add_path -m ~/.local/bin
# I prefer using a global fish_user_paths
# This isn't saved automatically, I need to add this to config.fish
# if I want it to stay.
> fish_add_path -g ~/.local/bin ~/.otherbin /usr/local/sbin
# I want to append to the entire $PATH because this directory contains fallbacks
# This needs --path/-P because otherwise it appends to $fish_user_paths,
# which is added to the front of $PATH.
> fish_add_path --append --path /opt/fallback/bin
# I want to add the bin/ directory of my current $PWD (say /home/nemo/)
# -v/--verbose shows what fish_add_path did.
> fish_add_path -v bin/
set fish_user_paths /home/nemo/bin /usr/bin /home/nemo/.local/bin
# I have installed ruby via homebrew
> fish_add_path /usr/local/opt/ruby/bin
```

# [Copyright](#Copyright)

fish-shell developers

October 12, 2026 4.9

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Document: fish_add_path(1) from fish 4.9.3-r2 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://github.com/fish-shell/fish-shell