Using screenrc, how can I make `C-a c` open a new window at the current window's working directory?

Based on this SO answer, I think this should work:

bind c stuff "screen -X chdir \$PWD; screen^M"

I'll go try it on my remote shell and report back if it works for me.

edit: Yup, it works. The first "bind" command is actually not needed.

By default, screen also binds C-a C-c to create a new window, so you might want to add another line to your .screenrc to handle this case:

bind c stuff "screen -X chdir \$PWD;screen^M"
bind ^c stuff "screen -X chdir \$PWD;screen^M"

Clarification about how this command works:

1. stuff puts its argument string directly into the current window:

   Command: stuff string

   Stuff the string string in the input buffer of the current window.

2. screen -X chdir \$PWD tells screen to execute the command chdir, which changes its operational directory (where new screen windows will start) to the environment variable $PWD, which contains the current working directory. This is impossible to do within .screenrc alone; therefore, manipulating the input buffer with stuff is necessary.

3. The screen command within an already running screen creates a new window just like C-a C-c.

4. ^M generates a carriage return, which tells the shell to execute the command which is now in the buffer. Without it, you would have to press enter (or C-m, of course).

Consequently, this bind will leave cruft like this in the window you execute it in:

user@host:~/directory$ screen -X chdir $PWD;screen
user@host:~/directory$