Open Files and URLs from the Terminal with xdg-open

Launch any file or link in its default application — the desktop-agnostic equivalent of macOS's open command.

Linuxdesktopxdg-openproductivityLow risk

Run xdg-open ~/report.pdf to open a PDF in the default viewer, xdg-open . to open the current folder in the file manager, or xdg-open https://github.com for the browser.

01Command

Command

$ xdg-open ~/report.pdf
xdg-open https://github.com
xdg-open .

02What it does

xdg-open consults the desktop environment's MIME database and picks the same app double-clicking would use, working under GNOME, KDE, XFCE, and even WSL with some setup. It's the portable way to make shell scripts hand off to the GUI: an error report can end with xdg-open report.html and pop up in a browser. Directories open in the file manager, so xdg-open . is a quick 'show me this folder'.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

Requirementsxdg-utils (sudo apt install xdg-utils); requires a desktop environment on the same session

!Warning: On a headless server (no DISPLAY/WAYLAND_SESSION) xdg-open fails or misbehaves — it needs a running desktop session on the machine you invoke it from.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

xdg-open(1) — Linux man page
Ubuntu Manpages · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: xdg-open man page: 'opens a file or URL in the user's preferred application' noting it works for files, directories and http(s) URLs.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Developer