Quick Linux Terminal Cheatsheet — Essential Bash Commands
Get started fast with this Linux Terminal cheatsheet – essential Bash commands every beginner must know.
The Linux file system is hierarchical with / as the root; key directories include /bin, /etc, /usr and /home.
Devices and partitions are mounted under /; user data in /home, configs in /etc, and executables in /usr/bin.
Essential Bash commands for Linux — description first, command ready to copy below.
Don’t hesitate, just Execute & Experiment with them directly! Only constant Practice makes the Master…
How to open a Terminal Window.
cd — change current directory
cd ~/Downloads
pwd — show current working directory
pwd
mkdir — create a new directory
mkdir box
ls — list directory contents
ls .
touch — create an empty file or update timestamp
touch thing
cp — copy a file
cp thing box/
cp -r — copy a directory recursively
cp -r box chest
mv — move or rename file/directory
mv box/thing chest/box/
rm — remove file(s)
rm box/thing
rm -rf — remove directory recursively and force (dangerous)
rm -rf box
echo — append text into file
echo "My treasure" >> chest/box/thing
cat — display file contents
cat chest/box/thing
Now your’re successfully initiated to the Bash Shell’s Magics! :)