Linux Command Line - Common Commands
The following are some basic commands that are necessary to interact with files, folders, and applications on the Linux CLI (command line). Keep in mind that capitalization counts!
This list is not comprehensive and is just meant to be a starting point.
There are several online Linux resources you may find helpful, just search and find one you prefer.
Command Summary
| Command |
Description |
Syntax / Common Examples |
| cat |
Prints the contents of one or more files to the screen. |
cat filename
cat file1 file2 |
| cd |
Changes the current working directory.
No argument → goes to home directory (~). |
cd directoryname
cd .. (go up one level)
cd (go home)
cd ~ (go home) |
| cp |
Copies files or directories.
Use -r for recursive copy of directories. |
cp sourcefile targetfile
cp -r sourcedir targetdir |
| du |
Estimates and displays disk usage.
Use -h for human-readable sizes. |
du -h /home/chad.julius
du -h --max-depth=1 /home/chad.julius |
| less |
Views file contents one page at a time (arrow keys, Page Up/Down, q to quit). |
less filename |
| ls / ll |
Lists files and directories.
ll usually shows long format. |
ls
ls -l (long format)
ls -a (show hidden files) |
| man |
Displays the manual/help page for a command. |
man ls
man cp |
| mkdir |
Creates one or more new directories. |
mkdir newfolder
mkdir dir1 dir2 |
| mv |
Moves or renames files/directories.
If target is a directory → moves into it. |
mv oldname newname
mv file1 file2 dir/ |
| pwd |
Prints the full path of the current working directory. |
pwd |
| rm |
Removes (deletes) files.
Use -r to remove directories recursively. |
rm file.txt
rm -r directory |
| rmdir |
Removes empty directories only (safer than rm -r). |
rmdir emptydir |
| scp |
Securely copies files/directories to/from a remote server (SSH). |
scp file.txt user@remote:/path/
scp -r dir/ user@remote:/path/ |
| tail |
Displays the last few lines of a file (great for logs). |
tail filename
tail -n 20 logfile.log |
Quick Tips
- Get help: Use
man command (e.g. man ls) or command --help for a quick summary of options.
- Combine commands: Many commands accept multiple files at once.
Example: cp file1 file2 file3 dest/
- Be careful with
rm: There is no "recycle bin" — deleted files are usually gone forever.
- Hidden files: Use
ls -a to see dotfiles (e.g. .bashrc, .ssh/, etc.).
- Recursive operations: Use the
-r or -R flag with cp, rm, scp when working with directories.
These commands will handle ~80% of day-to-day file and directory tasks. Practice them in a safe directory!
Happy commanding!