#shell A shell token is a fundamental concept in command-line interfaces and scripting environments, such as Unix-based systems (e.g., Linux, macOS). It refers to a single unit of input that the shell interprets as a command, argument, or operator. When you type a command in the terminal, the shell breaks it down into tokens, which are essentially words or symbols separated by spaces or special characters. For example, in the command `ls -l /home`, the tokens are `ls`, `-l`, and `/home`. Tokens can include commands, options, file paths, variables, or operators like `|` (pipe) or `>` (redirection). Understanding shell tokens is crucial for writing scripts and executing commands efficiently, as they dictate how the shell processes and executes instructions. Misplaced or incorrect tokens can lead to errors or unintended behavior, so proper syntax and token separation are essential.