change directory in unix shell (special characters)

Question

I have directory name starting with --. How to enter it with cd? Basic escape charaters is not working

# cd --smol--/
    -bash: cd: --: invalid option
    cd: usage: cd [-L|[-P [-e]]] [dir]

# cd \-\-smol\-\-
    -bash: cd: --: invalid option
    cd: usage: cd [-L|[-P [-e]]] [dir]

# cd  '--smol--'
    -bash: cd: --: invalid option
    cd: usage: cd [-L|[-P [-e]]] [dir]

# cd '\-\-smol\-\-'
    -bash: cd: \-\-smol\-\-: No such file or directory

# help
  GNU bash, version 4.2.37(1)-release (i486-pc-linux-gnu)

Answer 1

You can use cd like this:

cd -- '--smol--'

OR:

cd -- --smol--

Anything after -- are not considered options for cd command.