This document is extremely important to at least get started with Linux terminal commands . To open the Linux Terminal, press Ctrl+Alt+T.

Here are the most important ones to start with :

• To see the directory you’re currently inside, use the Print Working Directory command:

pwd

• To display the files and folders available inside your current directory:

ls

• To navigate through directories we have the cd or change directory command:

cd

Examples of cd in action:

cd Downloads

# enter 'Downloads' directory (relative path)

cd .. 

# move out of 'Downloads' directory (works like a back button)

cd /home/user/Downloads

# enter 'Downloads' directory (absolute path)

cd .

# nothing changes, you're in the same directory

Just type ‘cd’ or ‘cd ~’ to return back to the home directory if you are inside some other directory.

• To clear the terminal:

clear

• list-long command:

ls -l

# shows detailed list of files and folders, like read, write and execute functionality and other things like the owners, the file creation date


ls -la OR ll

# shows everything in ls -l plus the hidden files

man ls

# to learn more ls commands

• Make Directory and touch command:

mkdir Folder1

# creates a directory or folder named 'Folder1'

touch file1.txt

# creates a new txt file named 'file1'

• In order to delete a file or a folder use these remove commands:

rm file1.txt

# deletes a txt file named 'file1' we created earlier

rmdir Folder1

# deletes a directory or folder named 'Folder1'

rm -r Folder1

# removes folders and files within a directory named 'Folder1'

rm -rf

# force remove files and folders within a directory along with the original directory itself

• The mv or move-command:

mv file1.txt /home/user/Documents/file1.txt

# moves a file named 'file1.txt' to the Documents directory

• To copy a file to a different location:

cp <fileName> <directory Location>

# copies the file to a location you want

• cat command:

cat fileName.txt

# outputs whatever is inside a file

• To locate a file or folder:

locate *file1* 

#locates a file or folder

file    

# displays the type of file it is

• To open up VS-Code or Atom code editor :

code .
# for opening VS-Code

atom .
# for opening Atom code editor

Note : This documentation also works for Windows PowerShell users.