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Shell lets you work on your projects, like a typical terminal, for managing files, installing packages, and running scripts. For example, you can browse project files or use psql when your project has a configured database connection.
For better workflow management, prefer the Run button instead of running your app from the Shell. The workflow started by the Run button sends output to the Console tool, which provides a structured way to review the logs.

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Features

Shell provides the following capabilities:
  • Run multiple shells: Open multiple shell instances to work on different tasks simultaneously
  • Search for text: Find specific text in the shell output

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Usage

Open a project before using either method.
1

Open Tools & files

Select the + button in the tab bar. A New tab opens with the Tools & files menu.
New tab showing the Tools and files menu and Search tools field
2

Find Shell

Enter Shell in Search tools.
Tools and files search field containing Shell with the Shell result
3

Open Shell

Select Shell icon Shell. Shell opens in a new tab.
Shell tab open with an active workspace prompt

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Confirm Shell access

To confirm Shell is ready and view the current workspace, run:
Shell prints the path to the current workspace.
Shell tab showing the pwd command, its workspace path output, and a returned prompt

The pwd command prints the current workspace path and returns to the Shell prompt.

For a project with a database, select Tools → Database, then open the Development database page. This page provides connection controls. Keep connection values private; do not copy them into documentation, screenshots, logs, source files, or shared messages.

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Text search

The following steps describe how to access and use the text search tool:
  1. Select the magnifying glass icon magnifying glass at the top right of the Shell tab to open the search dialog.
  2. Enter a search term and select Next to navigate through the matches.
  3. Use Previous to go back to prior matches.
  4. Select Exit or click outside the dialog to exit the text search.

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Multiple shells

To create another shell:
  1. Select the Shell instance menu in the Shell panel header.
  2. Select New Shell.
Shell instance menu with the current workspace and New Shell option
Use the same menu to switch between shells. Replit labels each shell with the last command executed to help you identify them.
When you open more than one shell, Replit automatically closes idle shell instances. An idle shell is unselected and not running any user processes.

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Next steps

To learn more about related workspace tools, see the following resources:
  • Console: Learn how to use Console to monitor your Replit App workflows.