People always have the impression that GNU/Linux are difficult to use. Most people still think that GNU/Linux is just like DOS where you have to navigate by typing commands. The good thing is that most distros nowadays come with beautiful interface and applications, and you don’t really need to understand any command line to use Linux. On the other hand, having some knowledge of the command line can definitely make you more efficient and productivity. If you are one of those who will freak out when you are on the terminal, we have compiled a list of useful Linux commands that you can use to make your workflow more productive.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| File Commands | |
| ls | List the content of the current directory |
| ls -R | List the subdirectories recursively |
| ls -a | List all the content, including hidden files |
| ls -l | List the content and its information |
| pwd | Output the current directory that you are in |
| cd folder1 | Change the working directory to folder1 |
| cd | Return to the $Home directory |
| cd .. | Go up a directory |
| cd - | Return to the previous directory |
| cp source destination | Copy source to destination |
| cp -r source destination | Copy a folder recursively from source to destination |
| mv source destination | Move (or rename) a file from source to destination |
| rm file1 | Remove file1 |
| rm -f file1 | Remove file1 without prompt |
| rm -r folder | Remove a folder and its content recursively |
| mkdir foldername | Create a new folder foldername |
| rmdir foldername | Remove an empty folder |
| file file1 | Show the file type of file1 |
| cat file1 file2 | Concatenate file1 to file 2 |
| cat > file1 | Concatenate standard input to file1 |
| less file1 | View and paginate file1 |
| head file1 | Show first 10 lines of file1 |
| tail file1 | Show last 10 lines of file1 |
| chmod 777 file | Change file permission of file to 777 |
| chown user:group file | Change ownership of file to user and group group |
| ln -s source destination | Create a symbolic link from source to destination |
| File Encryption and Compression | |
| gpg -c file | Encrypt file |
| gpg file.gpg | Decrypt file.gpg |
| tar -cf archive.tar foo bar | Create archive.tar from files foo and bar |
| tar -xf archive.tar | Extract all files from archive.tar. |
| gzip file1 | Compress file1 and rename it to file1.gz |
| gzip -d file1.gz | Decompress file1.gz |
| System Commands | |
| uname -a | Show system and kernel |
| head -n1 /etc/issue | Show distribution |
| mount | Show mounted filesystems |
| date | Show system date |
| uptime | Show system uptime |
| whoami | Show your username |
| w | Display who is online |
| man command | Show manual for command |
| !! | Repeat the last command |
| exit | Log out of current session |
| File Searching Commands | |
| grep pattern files | Search for pattern in files |
| grep -i | Case insensitive search |
| grep -r | Recursive search |
| grep -v | Inverted search |
| grep -o | Show matched part of file only |
| locate file1 | Find file1 |
| whereis command | Find binary/source/manual for command |
| which app | Locate a command for the app |
| look string file1 | Display any lines in file1 which contain string as a prefix. |
| Process Management | |
| ps | Show snapshot of processes |
| top | Show real time processes |
| kill pid | Kill process with id pid |
| pkill name | Kill process with name name |
| killall name | Kill all processes with names beginning name |
| Disk Space | |
| df -h | Show free space on mounted filesystems |
| du -h folder | Show file usage of each folder in folder |
| du -sh folder | Show the total file size of folder |
| fdisk -l | Show disks partitions sizes and types (run as root) |
| free | Show memory and swap usage |
