---
title: bg — Resume a stopped job in the background
date: 2026-10-20
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: A shell builtin that resumes a stopped job and keeps it running in the background.
tags: program, Service and process management, bg
---

A shell builtin that resumes a stopped job and keeps it running in the background.

## Basic Information

| Command Name | bg |
| --- | --- |
| One-line Introduction | A shell builtin that resumes a stopped job and keeps it running in the background. |
| Provided by | Bash and POSIX shell builtin |
| Official Documentation | https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Job-Control-Builtins.html |
| Supported Operating Systems | Linux, macOS, BSD |
| Installation Status | Installed by default (shell builtin) |
| Category | Linux service and process management (tags: Process and resource management (tags: job control, background, shell)) |

## What is this command?

bg resumes a job suspended with Ctrl+Z instead of killing it, continuing it in the background.

Without a job number it targets the current job, and it only works on shell-managed jobs.

## What problems does it solve?

- Suspend an editor or build and continue it in the background.
- Regain the shell prompt while keeping a long job alive.
- Switch between several jobs.
- Clean up jobs left in the stopped state.
## Key features

### Resume the current job

Run without a number to resume the current job.

- **When to use**: When continuing the job just stopped
- **What you get**: Continues in the background
- **Limitations**: Output may interleave with the prompt
### Resume by number

Specify a job number obtained from jobs.

- **When to use**: When resuming one of several jobs
- **What you get**: That job moves to the background
- **Limitations**: Jobs from other sessions cannot be targeted
### Checking state

After resuming, use jobs to confirm it is running.

- **When to use**: When confirming the resume worked
- **What you get**: Shows the Running state
- **Limitations**: Completion still needs a separate check
## Installation and usage

### Check whether it is installed

```
help bg
```

man bash   # bg is a shell builtin

## Real-world examples

### Resume current

Send the stopped job to the background.

```
# Resume the current stopped job in the background
bg
```

### Resume by number

Resume job number 1.

```
# Resume job 1 in the background
bg %1
```

### Verify

Check the job list afterwards.

```
# Confirm the job is running
jobs -l
```

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/services/bg.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.