In bash, how does one clear the current input?

Question

Suppose in bash you start writing a command like:

$ rm -rf /foo/bar/really/long/path/here

and then realize you don\'t want to execute this

Answer 1

This is an expansion of knittl's answer that stores the line in the console history by prefixing with a hash. Overcoming drawbacks of the clipboard, such as accidental overwriting or being unable to view the cut line for reference.

Comment Line & Return New Prompt

Use either key shortcut:

• Esc,#
• Alt+#

A hash character # will be prepended to the line, thus turning the whole line into a comment. It will also return a new prompt, as if enter was pressed by the user. e.g.

$ #rm -rf /foo/bar/really/long/path/here
$

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Retrieve Commented Line

To recover the old line from console history use one of the following shortcuts:

• Up
• Ctrl+p

Repeat key shortcut until the desired line appears.

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Quick Hash Prefix Removal

To remove the line's hash # prefix there are a few different options available:

Remove first character and immediately execute command:

• Esc,1,Esc,#
• Alt+-, Alt+#

Move cursor to start and remove first character, without executing the command:

• Home, Delete
• Ctrl+a, Ctrl+d