ELSE(1) fish-shell ELSE(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

else - execute command if a condition is not met

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

```
if CONDITION; COMMANDS_TRUE ...; [else; COMMANDS_FALSE ...;] end
```

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

if <> will execute the command *CONDITION\**. If the condition's exit status is 0, the commands *COMMANDS\_TRUE* will execute. If it is not 0 and **else** is given, *COMMANDS\_FALSE* will be executed.

# [EXAMPLE](#EXAMPLE)

The following code tests whether a file *foo.txt* exists as a regular file.

```
if test -f foo.txt


    echo foo.txt exists
else


    echo foo.txt does not exist
end
```

# [Copyright](#Copyright)

fish-shell developers

October 15, 2026 4.9

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Document: else(1) from fish 4.9.3-r3 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://github.com/fish-shell/fish-shell