> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://haya-toumy.gitbook.io/python-terminal-and-related-topics/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://haya-toumy.gitbook.io/python-terminal-and-related-topics/terminal-how-tos/special-dot-files.md). # Special Dot Files I'm using Mac with z-shell. `cat ~/.zshrc` to see what you already have. Conda uses this one, and you can store your aliases and terminal functions in here. e.g `alias ll = ls -la` This is also where you want to store `source` commands to run `.sh` files or `.zsh` files. `~/.zprofile` to store commands you need to be ran at every terminal session start. e.g. you have a proxy to turn on or something like that. I don't use `~/.bash_profile` anymore, it's for the older Mac shell. Terminal functions, aliases, dot files etc. are whole topics on their own. There are some posts to illustrate the difference between the dot files, here's one for example --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://haya-toumy.gitbook.io/python-terminal-and-related-topics/terminal-how-tos/special-dot-files.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.