Bash · Automation

Bash Scripting Tutorial

A complete Bash scripting path from first scripts to robust automation: quoting, pipelines, functions, getopts, debugging, and production-safe tooling.

65 lessonsBeginner → ProDevOps

Start from the beginning

Curriculum

Work through each section in order. Every lesson ends with practice and key points so the idea sticks.

Beginner

Getting Started

5 lessons · ~55 min

1
Welcome to Bash Scripting
Automate the terminal safely and clearly.
11 min
2
What is a Shell?
bash vs sh vs zsh at a glance.
11 min
3
Your First Script
Shebang, permissions, execution.
11 min
4
chmod +x & PATH
Make scripts runnable.
11 min
5
quoting Rules
Single vs double quotes and why it matters.
11 min

Beginner

Variables & Input

5 lessons · ~55 min

6
Variables
Assign and expand safely.
11 min
7
Environment Variables
export and child processes.
11 min
8
Positional Parameters
$1, $@, $#.
11 min
9
read Input
Prompt users interactively.
11 min
10
Default Values
${var:-default} patterns.
11 min

Beginner

Control Flow

5 lessons · ~55 min

11
if & test
[[ ]] conditions.
11 min
12
Loops
for, while, until.
11 min
13
case Statements
Menus and routers.
11 min
14
Functions
Reusable blocks with local vars.
11 min
15
Exit Codes
$? and set -e discipline.
11 min

Beginner

Text & Pipelines

5 lessons · ~60 min

16
Pipes & Redirection
|, >, >>, 2>&1.
11 min
17
grep
Search with regular expressions.
11 min
18
sed Basics
Stream edits.
11 min
19
awk Basics
Column processing.
11 min
20
Project: Log Summarizer
Count errors by day from a logfile.
16 min

Beginner

Files & Safety

5 lessons · ~60 min

21
Globs
Wildcards and nullglob.
11 min
22
find + xargs
Act on many files safely.
11 min
23
set -euo pipefail
Hard mode for reliable scripts.
11 min
24
Trap & Cleanup
Remove temp files on exit.
11 min
25
Project: Safe Backup Script
Copy a directory with timestamp.
16 min

Intermediate

Intermediate Scripting

5 lessons · ~68 min

26
Arrays
Indexed arrays and iteration.
13 min
27
Associative Arrays
Key-value maps in bash 4+.
13 min
28
Here Documents
Multi-line input to commands.
13 min
29
getopts
Parse flags professionally.
13 min
30
Project: CLI with Flags
Build -h/-v/-o options.
16 min

Intermediate

Process & Jobs

5 lessons · ~66 min

31
Background Jobs
& and wait.
13 min
32
Subshells
( ) vs { }.
13 min
33
Command Substitution
$(...) patterns.
13 min
34
Parallel-ish Loops
When to use xargs -P.
13 min
35
Project: Health Check
Ping endpoints and report status.
14 min

Intermediate

Automation Patterns

5 lessons · ~70 min

36
Idempotent Scripts
Safe to run twice.
13 min
37
Logging Patterns
Timestamps and levels.
13 min
38
Config Files
Source a config safely.
13 min
39
Cron Integration
Schedule your scripts.
13 min
40
Project: Deploy Hook
Pull, build, restart service.
18 min

Intermediate

Debugging & Testing

5 lessons · ~68 min

41
bash -x
Trace execution.
13 min
42
Shellcheck
Static analysis for scripts.
13 min
43
Bats Testing Overview
Test shell scripts.
13 min
44
Common Pitfalls
Word splitting and globbing bugs.
13 min
45
Project: Refactor a Messy Script
Harden an unsafe script.
16 min

Intermediate

Advanced Bash

3 lessons · ~39 min

46
Namerefs
declare -n techniques.
13 min
47
Coprocesses Overview
Advanced IPC glimpse.
13 min
48
Performance Tips
Avoid useless cats and subshells.
13 min

Advanced

Advanced Bash

2 lessons · ~36 min

49
Security Mindset
Injection risks in scripts.
16 min
50
Capstone: Server Bootstrap
Full bootstrap with logging and flags.
20 min

Advanced

Capstone & Career

10 lessons · ~164 min

51
Capstone: Dev Toolkit
Multi-command toolkit in one repo.
20 min
52
Bash Interview Review
Quoting, pipes, exit codes, set options.
16 min
53
Next Steps
Python for larger tools; keep Bash sharp.
16 min
54
Final Challenge
Automate a weekly report from logs.
16 min
55
Glossary Drill
pipefail, glob, subshell, shebang, IFS.
16 min
56
Reading Scripts
Audit an unfamiliar script safely.
16 min
57
Portability Notes
bashisms vs POSIX sh.
16 min
58
CI Scripting
Scripts that run in GitHub Actions.
16 min
59
Portfolio Tips
Show before/after automation metrics.
16 min
60
Style Guide
Consistent formatting and function layout.
16 min

Advanced

Practice Labs

5 lessons · ~80 min

61
Practice Lab 61
Hands-on practice lab consolidating earlier bash skills.
16 min
62
Practice Lab 62
Hands-on practice lab consolidating earlier bash skills.
16 min
63
Practice Lab 63
Hands-on practice lab consolidating earlier bash skills.
16 min
64
Practice Lab 64
Hands-on practice lab consolidating earlier bash skills.
16 min
65
Practice Lab 65
Hands-on practice lab consolidating earlier bash skills.
16 min

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Bash Scripting Tutorial

Curriculum

Getting Started

Variables & Input

Control Flow

Text & Pipelines

Files & Safety

Intermediate Scripting

Process & Jobs

Automation Patterns

Debugging & Testing

Advanced Bash

Advanced Bash

Capstone & Career

Practice Labs