How to get default browser in Linux terminal #linux #commands #linuxcommands #linuxmint #browser #browsertricks

In Linux, the default browser is usually determined by the `xdg-settings` or `xdg-open` command, which relies on desktop environment settings. Here's how you can get the default browser in a Linux terminal:

### Method 1: Using `xdg-settings`
This method works if you're in a graphical environment where `xdg-settings` is available.

```bash
xdg-settings get default-web-browser
```

This will output the name of the default web browser, e.g., `firefox.desktop`.

### Method 2: Using `update-alternatives` (for Debian-based systems)
If you're using a Debian-based system (e.g., Ubuntu), you can check the default browser using:

```bash
update-alternatives --query x-www-browser | grep "Value:"
```

This will display the path of the current default browser.

### Method 3: Check `BROWSER` Environment Variable
Some systems set the `BROWSER` environment variable, which can be checked with:

```bash
echo $BROWSER
```

If it's set, this should return the command used for your default browser.

### Method 4: Test with `xdg-open`
If none of the above methods return a clear result, you can test opening a URL with `xdg-open`, which should open the link in your default browser:

```bash
xdg-open https://www.example.com
```

This command will open the URL in the default browser, allowing you to verify which browser is set as default.