BASH-STARTUP.md

Login Shell

When bash is started as a login shell (either interactive or non-interactive), it does the following:

1. Executes the system startup file /etc/profile
2. Executes the first user startup file it finds: a. ~/.bash_profile b. ~/.bash_login c. ~/.profile

The --noprofile option prevents both steps above.

Non-login Interactive Shell

When bash is started as a non-login shell that is interactive, it executes ~/.bashrc.

The --norc option prevents this. The --rcfile file specifies a different file to be executed instead of ~/.bashrc.

When Login Shell Exits

When a login bash shell exits, it executes ~/.bash_logout