---
name: "path_helper"
section: "8"
platform: "macos"
package: "shell_cmds"
version: "329"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/path_helper"
---

# path\_helper(8)

helper for constructing PATH environment variable

## NAME

**path\_helper** – helper for constructing PATH environment variable

## SYNOPSIS

**path\_helper** \[**-c** \| **-s**\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **path\_helper** utility reads the contents of the files in the directories */etc/paths.d* and */etc/manpaths.d* and appends their contents to the PATH and MANPATH environment variables respectively. (The MANPATH environment variable will not be modified unless it is already set in the environment.)

Files in these directories should contain one path element per line.

Prior to reading these directories, default PATH and MANPATH values are obtained from the files */etc/paths* and */etc/manpaths* respectively.

Options:

- **-c**

  Generate C-shell commands on stdout.  This is the default if SHELL ends with "csh".

- **-s**

  Generate Bourne shell commands on stdout.  This is the default if SHELL does not end with "csh".

## NOTE

The **path\_helper** utility should not be invoked directly. It is intended only for use by the shell profile.