---
title: About the bash Resource
---

# bash

Use the `bash` InSpec audit resource to test an arbitrary command that is run on the system using a Bash script.

<br>

## Syntax

A `command` resource block declares a command to be run, one (or more) expected outputs, and the location to which that output is sent:

    describe bash('command') do
      it { should exist }
      its('property') { should eq 'output' }
    end

where

* `'command'` must specify a command to be run
* `'matcher'` is one of `exit_status`, `stderr`, or `stdout`
* `'output'` tests the output of the command run on the system versus the output value stated in the test

For example:

    describe bash('ls -al /') do
      its('stdout') { should match /bin/ }
      its('stderr') { should eq '' }
      its('exit_status') { should eq 0 }
    end

<br>

## Matchers

For a full list of available matchers please visit our [matchers page](https://www.inspec.io/docs/reference/matchers/). 

### exist

The `exist` matcher tests if a command may be run on the system:

    it { should exist }

### exit_status

The `exit_status` matcher tests the exit status for the command:

    its('exit_status') { should eq 0 }

### stderr

The `stderr` matcher tests results of the command as returned in standard error (stderr):

    its('stderr') { should eq '' }

### stdout

The `stdout` matcher tests results of the command as returned in standard output (stdout).

    its('stdout') { should match /bin/ }