---
name: "shell"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "byobu"
version: "2.80-1+squeeze1"
release: "Debian 6.0 (Squeeze)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/shell"
---

# shell(1)

Print the message of the day and launch a shell

## NAME

shell - Print the message of the day and launch a shell

## DESCRIPTION

**shell** is a simple script that prints the message of the day (/etc/motd) and launches a shell.

$SHELL will be invoked if it exists.  Otherwise, /bin/sh will be used.

- *http://launchpad.net/byobu*

  ## AUTHOR

This manpage and the **shell** utility was written by Dustin Kirkland \<kirkland@canonical.com\> for Ubuntu systems (but may be used by others).  Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU General Public License, Version 3 published by the Free Software Foundation.

On Debian systems, the complete text of the GNU General Public License can be found in /usr/share/common-licenses/GPL.