.bash_profile
is executed for login shells, while .bashrc
is executed for interactive non-login shells.
When you login (type username and password) via console, either sitting at the machine, or remotely via ssh: .bash_profile
is executed to configure your shell before the initial command prompt.
Use .bash_profile
to run commands that should run only once, such as customizing the $PATH
environment variable .
If you’ve already logged into your machine and open a new terminal then .bashrc
is executed where you can type in any command. .bashrc
is also run when you start a new bash instance by typing /bin/bash
or bash
in a terminal.
In other words, here you can put the commands that should run every time you launch a new shell in the .bashrc
file. This include your aliases and functions , custom prompts, history customizations , and so on.