Using bash history to get a previous command, copy it and then 'run' it but with the command commented

Question

Just a question to improve my bash skills. I always do this:

$ history | grep some_long_command

...
...
123 some_long_command1.........
124 some_l         


        

Answer 1

You can get to edit mode by hitting M-^ (option-shift-6 on a mac).

Type this:

!123M-^

And you'll be editing command #123. It's sort of like using ctrl-r, but starting with exclamation-point syntax.