rc shell
rc shell: A free, list-oriented shell for interactive commands and scripts on Plan 9. Ranked #25 of 27 in Command-Line Shells by our editors (6.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for plan 9 users seeking a small scripting shell.
At a glance
- Editor score6.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forPlan 9 users seeking a small scripting shell
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports interactive use and scripts from files or command strings
- Includes pipelines, background execution, redirection, and command substitution
- List-valued variables pair with functions, loops, and conditionals
Where it doesn't
- Its documented platform is Plan 9
- List-valued variables and rc syntax differ from traditional Unix shells
- Documentation is the listed support channel
Our verdict on rc shell
rc is a command-line shell and scripting language for Plan 9, suited to users who want a small interpreter for interactive work and scripts. Its syntax has Bourne-shell-like facilities, but values are represented as lists of arguments, giving rc a distinct approach to shell scripting. It can run commands interactively or from a file, and also accepts a command string. This makes it a focused option for Plan 9 users rather than a general-purpose choice across operating systems.
The feature set covers common command composition and control flow: pipelines, background execution, filename pattern matching, command substitution, and input/output redirection. Functions and built-in commands are supported, alongside for loops, conditionals, and switch statements. The list-oriented variable model is the defining distinction; it can suit scripts that work naturally with argument lists, but users accustomed to traditional Unix shell syntax should expect to adapt. rc is open source and free, with self-hosted deployment.
The fit is narrow by design. The official documentation is for Plan 9, and the vendor describes its downloads as historical, so rc is most appropriate for existing Plan 9 environments or users specifically exploring that system. The Plan 9 manual documents startup options, environment handling, functions, and command execution, while documentation is the listed support channel. Choose rc if Plan 9 compatibility and its list-oriented scripting model are priorities; choose another shell if you need a documented multi-platform option or a different support channel.
rc shell pricing
rc shell fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Supported platforms | Plan 9 |
| Scripting language | rc |
| Package manager | Not verified |
| Config file support | Yes |
| Command completion | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | 9p.io |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to rc shell
- BashA free, open-source shell for interactive command-line work and scripting.9.3
- ZshA free, customizable shell for users who want advanced command-line control.8.8
- FishFish pairs history-based suggestions with rich completion and a browser-based configuration interface.8.7
See all rc shell alternatives →
Used rc shell? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used rc shell for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
rc shell is listed in our Command-Line Shells directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/rc-shell/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/rc-shell.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update