# How to Configure cd_on_quit for Shell Integration in Superfile > Configure cd_on_quit for Superfile shell integration. Easily set this option to automatically change directories upon exiting the file manager with your chosen shell. - Repository: [Yorukot/superfile](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-07-26 --- **Set `cd_on_quit = true` in your Superfile configuration and source the appropriate wrapper script for Bash, Zsh, Fish, or PowerShell to enable automatic directory changing when you exit the file manager.** Superfile is a modern terminal file manager written in Go that supports seamless shell integration through its `cd_on_quit` functionality. When enabled, this feature captures the last directory you were browsing and passes it back to your shell upon exit. To configure cd_on_quit for shell integration in Superfile, you must toggle a configuration flag and install a shell-specific wrapper that handles the directory handoff. ## Enable cd_on_quit in Superfile Configuration The `cd_on_quit` behavior is controlled by a boolean setting defined in the configuration type struct at [`src/internal/common/config_type.go`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/src/internal/common/config_type.go). To activate it, modify your configuration file ([`src/superfile_config/config.toml`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/src/superfile_config/config.toml) in the source repository) to set the flag to `true`: ```toml #-- cd on quit # Should we cd the shell to the last directory open in superfile when the # program exits? cd_on_quit = true ``` When this option is enabled, Superfile writes the current directory path to a temporary file named `lastdir` before exiting. On Linux, this file is stored at `$XDG_STATE_HOME/superfile/lastdir`, while on macOS it uses `$HOME/Library/Application Support/superfile/lastdir`. ## Bash and Zsh Setup For **Bash** and **Zsh**, use the wrapper script located at [`cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.sh`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.sh). This script exports the `SPF_LAST_DIR` environment variable pointing to the `lastdir` file location, then wraps the `spf` command to change directories after Superfile exits. Add the following to your `~/.bashrc` or `~/.zshrc`: ```bash # Enable Superfile cd-on-quit integration source "$HOME/.config/superfile/cd_on_quit.sh" ``` After reloading your shell configuration, use the `spf` command to launch Superfile instead of calling the binary directly. ## Fish Shell Setup Fish users should source `cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.fish`, which sets the `spf_last_dir` variable and provides equivalent functionality using Fish syntax. Add to `~/.config/fish/config.fish`: ```fish # Enable Superfile cd-on-quit integration source $HOME/.config/superfile/cd_on_quit.fish ``` This wrapper defines a `spf` function that runs Superfile, sources the saved directory from the `lastdir` file, and removes the temporary file automatically. ## PowerShell Setup Windows PowerShell integration uses `cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.ps1`. This script expects Superfile to be installed at `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\superfile\spf.exe` and handles the directory change via `Invoke-Expression`. Dot-source the script in your PowerShell profile: ```powershell # Enable Superfile cd-on-quit integration . $HOME\Documents\PowerShell\cd_on_quit.ps1 ``` After reloading your profile, the `spf` function will be available and will execute the directory change when you quit Superfile. ## How cd_on_quit Works Internally The integration relies on an internal flag handled in [`src/cmd/main.go`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/src/cmd/main.go). When Superfile starts with the `--lastdir` option (which the wrappers automatically append), it monitors the current directory. Upon exit, it writes the path to the `lastdir` file in your state directory. The wrapper script then reads this file, executes `cd` to that path, and deletes the temporary file. The process flow is: 1. You type `spf` in your shell 2. The wrapper sets the `SPF_LAST_DIR` (or shell equivalent) variable and launches Superfile with `--lastdir` 3. You navigate and press `q` to quit 4. Superfile writes the final directory to the `lastdir` file 5. The wrapper sources that path and changes your shell's working directory 6. The temporary file is removed ## Summary - **Enable the feature** by setting `cd_on_quit = true` in the configuration, as defined in [`src/internal/common/config_type.go`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/src/internal/common/config_type.go) and shown in [`src/superfile_config/config.toml`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/src/superfile_config/config.toml) - **Install the wrapper** by sourcing the appropriate script from [`cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.sh`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.sh) (Bash/Zsh), `cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.fish` (Fish), or `cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.ps1` (PowerShell) in your shell's startup file - **Use the `spf` command** instead of running the Superfile binary directly to ensure the directory handoff occurs - **Cross-platform support** works on Linux, macOS, and Windows through XDG-compliant paths or `%LOCALAPPDATA%` ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where do I place the cd_on_quit wrapper scripts on my system? Copy the appropriate script from the Superfile repository's `cd_on_quit/` directory to a permanent location such as `~/.config/superfile/`, then source it from your shell's configuration file (e.g., `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, or `~/.config/fish/config.fish`). The scripts are located at [`cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.sh`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.sh) for Bash/Zsh, `cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.fish` for Fish, and `cd_on_quit/cd_on_quit.ps1` for PowerShell. ### Why must I use the `spf` command instead of `superfile`? The wrapper scripts define a function or alias named `spf` that sets the necessary environment variables (like `SPF_LAST_DIR`), launches Superfile with the internal `--lastdir` flag handled in [`src/cmd/main.go`](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/src/cmd/main.go), and processes the `lastdir` file after exit. Running the raw `superfile` binary bypasses this wrapper logic, preventing the directory change from occurring. ### Can I customize the location of the lastdir file? The path is determined by the `SPF_LAST_DIR` environment variable in Bash/Zsh or `spf_last_dir` in Fish, which defaults to `$XDG_STATE_HOME/superfile/lastdir` on Linux and `$HOME/Library/Application Support/superfile/lastdir` on macOS. You can override this by setting the variable before sourcing the wrapper script, though the standard locations follow XDG Base Directory specifications. ### Does cd_on_quit work on Windows with PowerShell? Yes, the `cd_on_quit.ps1` script provides full support for Windows PowerShell and PowerShell Core. It uses `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\superfile\spf.exe` as the binary path and `Invoke-Expression` to change directories, removing the temporary file after execution just like the Unix shell wrappers.