
How do you close/exit the [nano](https://www.nano-editor.org) editor on Ubuntu?

Use this keyboard shortcut:

```
---
type: terminal
label: Keyboard Shortcut
hideCopy: true
hidePrompt: true
---
CTRL + x
```

<aside><p>If you've made no changes to your file, nano will close right away.</p></aside>

If you've made unsaved changes to your file, you'll be asked if you want to save the changes.

<div class="article-content-img-container">
    <img
        src="https://assets.coderrocketfuel.com/nano-save-changes-prompt.png"
        alt="Nano Editor Save Changes Prompt"
    >
</div>

These are your options:

1. Save your changes by pressing `y` (for "yes").
2. Discard your changes by pressing `n` (for "no"). This will close nano without saving your changes.
3. Cancel your request to close nano by pressing `CTRL` + `x`. This removes the prompt without closing nano or saving/discarding your changes.

<aside>
  <p>When using nano, you can save your file changes at any time using the <code>CTRL</code> + <code>s</code> shortcut.</p>
  <p>Therefore, you could save the file before exiting nano via <code>CTRL</code> + <code>x</code>.</p>
</aside>

If you saved your changes, you'll also be prompted for a file name to write to. This tells nano where to save your changes.

<div class="article-content-img-container">
    <img
        src="https://assets.coderrocketfuel.com/nano-write-file-prompt.png"
        alt="Nano Editor Write File Prompt"
    >
</div>

Press `ENTER` to write the changes to the already existing file you were making updates to and close/exit nano.

<aside><p>Alternatively, you can provide a different filename to write the changes to.</p></aside>

Thanks for reading and happy coding!


Close/exit the nano terminal program on the Ubuntu operating system. Including the decision to save or discard file changes.

Close/Exit the Nano Editor on Ubuntu