How to Enable Autocompletion in Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS – Step-by-Step Guide

Working in the terminal is a core part of managing Ubuntu Server, and enabling autocompletion can significantly boost your productivity. This feature allows you to hit the Tab key to auto-complete commands, paths, package names, and more—minimizing typos and saving time. Here’s how to properly enable autocompletion on Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS.

1. Check if bash-completion is Already Installed

Before installing anything, check if the required package is already present:

apt list --installed | grep bash-completion

If you see a line with bash-completion, it’s already installed. Otherwise, move on to the next step.

2. Install bash-completion

If it’s missing, install it using:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y bash-completion

3. Enable bash-completion in Your Shell Session

Once installed, make sure Bash loads it automatically. Open your user’s .bashrc file:

nano ~/.bashrc

Add or uncomment the following block if it’s not already there:

if [ -f /usr/share/bash-completion/bash_completion ]; then
    . /usr/share/bash-completion/bash_completion
fi

Save the file and reload the shell settings:

source ~/.bashrc

4. Enable Autocompletion for sudo Commands

By default, commands run with sudo don’t benefit from autocompletion. To enable it system-wide, edit:

sudo nano /etc/bash.bashrc

Add this line at the end:

complete -cf sudo

Apply the changes:

source /etc/bash.bashrc

5. Troubleshooting Autocompletion Issues

5.1 Ensure Bash Is Using bash-completion

Check if the variable is set:

echo $BASH_COMPLETION_COMPAT_DIR

If it’s empty, manually source the script:

source /usr/share/bash-completion/bash_completion

5.2 Reinstall the Package

If the script isn’t present:

sudo apt reinstall bash-completion

5.3 Confirm You’re Using Bash

If you’ve switched to another shell, check your current shell:

echo $SHELL

If it doesn’t show /bin/bash, set it back:

chsh -s /bin/bash
exec bash

6. Optional: Enhance Autocompletion with Extra Tools

You can further improve your command-line experience by installing tools like:

• autojump – Fast directory navigation
• fzf – Interactive file and command search
• zsh – A powerful alternative shell with advanced autocompletion

Install them with:

sudo apt install -y autojump fzf zsh

To switch to zsh:

chsh -s $(which zsh)

7. Test That It Works

Try typing a partial command and press Tab twice:

sudo apt in<TAB><TAB>

You should see suggestions like install, info, etc.

Final Thoughts

Enabling autocompletion in Ubuntu Server 24.04 is a simple tweak that can greatly improve your efficiency and reduce frustration in the terminal. With bash-completion enabled and some optional tools, you can create a more streamlined and powerful shell experience tailored to your workflow.