Changing the default MATLAB directory

Suppose that you have your own directory for MATLAB programs and files that you create. When you start MATLAB, it most likely has the working directory set to something else. These instructions show how to change that.

In the MATLAB environment, you can find the working directory with the pwd command. Exit the MATLAB software before doing the steps below. Call up a terminal window to enter the commands below.

You have to change "startup.m" file. If it does not exist, first copy it from "startupsav.m". First, change to the local MATLAB directory (the directory may be different for computers other than Apple). The commands in blue are what you type; the red text is the system's response.

1. Change to the MATLAB directory:
   ibook$ cd /Applications/MATLAB7/toolbox/local
2. Check to see if the file exists.
   ibook$ ls startup.m
   ls: startup.m: No such file or directory
   If it does exist, skip the next step.
3. Copy the file (since it does not exist):
   ibook$ cp startupsav.m startup.m
4. Add a line to the startup file, by typing this (the first line is blank):
   ibook$ cat >> startup.m
   
   cd /Users/mweeks/matlab_work
   <CTRL-D>
   Do not actually type that last line; instead hold down the "ctrl" key and press the "d" key at the same time.
5. Now we can see the file:
   ibook$ cat startup.m
   %STARTUPSAV Startup file
   % Change the name of this file to STARTUP.M. The file
   % is executed when MATLAB starts up, if it exists
   % anywhere on the path. In this example, the
   % MAT-file generated during quitting using FINISHSAV
   % is loaded into MATLAB during startup.
   %
   % Copyright 1984-2000 The MathWorks, Inc.
   % $Revision: 1.4 $ $Date: 2000/06/01 16:19:26 $
   %
   % load matlab.mat
   cd /Users/mweeks/matlab_work