Linux: Basic Shell Commands

This is a list of most frequently used linux commands. These are essential commands. Most of them are used everyday by every linux user.

this is generate by artificial intelligence.

ls → Lists directory contents. Common options: ls -l (long format) Example:ls -a (show hidden files) Example:ls -lh (human-readable sizes). Example:ls -la

cd → Changes the current directory. Example:cd /path/to/directory Example:cd .. (go up one directory) Example:cd ~ (home directory).

pwd → Prints the current working directory. Example:pwd

cp → Copies files or directories. Common options: cp -r (recursive for directories) Example:cp -v (verbose). Example:cp file1.txt file2.txt Example:cp -r dir1 dir2

mv → Moves or renames files or directories. Common options: mv -v (verbose) Example:mv -i (prompt before overwrite). Example:mv file1.txt /new/path/ Example:mv oldname.txt newname.txt

rm → Removes files or directories. Common options: rm -r (recursive for directories) Example:rm -f (force) Example:rm -i (interactive). Example:rm file.txt Example:rm -r directory

mkdir → Creates a new directory. Common options: mkdir -p (create parent directories if needed). Example:mkdir new_folder Example:mkdir -p path/to/new_folder

touch → Creates an empty file or updates a file’s timestamp. Example:touch newfile.txt

cat → Displays file contents • concatenates files • or creates files. Common options: cat -n (line numbers). Example:cat file.txt Example:cat file1.txt file2.txt > combined.txt

grep → Searches text for patterns. Common options: grep -i (case-insensitive) Example:grep -r (recursive) Example:grep -v (invert match). Example:grep "pattern" file.txt Example:grep -r "error" /var/log

find → Searches for files or directories in a directory hierarchy. Common options: find -name Example:find -type f (files only) Example:find -type d (directories). Example:find / -name "file.txt" Example:find . -type f -name "*.log"

chmod → Changes file or directory permissions. Common options: chmod -R (recursive). Example:chmod 755 script.sh Example:chmod u+x file.sh

chown → Changes file or directory ownership. Common options: chown -R (recursive). Example:chown user:group file.txt Example:chown -R user:group /directory

man → Displays the manual page for a command. Example:man ls Example:man grep

ps → Lists running processes. Common options: ps aux (all processes) Example:ps -ef (detailed). Example:ps aux | grep python

top → Displays real-time system processes and resource usage. Example:top (interactive interface).

htop → An enhanced Example:interactive version of top (if installed). Example:htop

kill → Terminates processes by PID. Common options: kill -9 (force kill). Example:kill 1234 Example:kill -9 1234

df → Reports disk space usage. Common options: df -h (human-readable). Example:df -h

du → Estimates file and directory space usage. Common options: du -sh (summary • human-readable). Example:du -sh /path/to/directory

tar → Archives files or directories. Common options: tar -cvf (create) Example:tar -xvf (extract) Example:tar -z (gzip). Example:tar -cvf archive.tar /directory Example:tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz

wget → Downloads files from the web. Common options: wget -O (specify output file) Example:wget -c (resume download). Example:wget http://example.com/file.zip

curl → Transfers data to or from a server. Common options: curl -O (save file) Example:curl -L (follow redirects). Example:curl -O http://example.com/file.txt

sudo → Executes a command with superuser privileges. Example:sudo apt update Example:sudo systemctl restart service

apt (or yum, dnf, depending on distro) - Package management. Common options: apt update • apt install • apt upgrade. Example:sudo apt install vim

systemctl → Manages system services. Common options: start, stop, enable, disable, status. Example:systemctl start nginx Example:systemctl status sshd

nano, vim, or vi → Text editors for editing files. Example:nano file.txt Example:vim config.conf

history → Displays command history. Example:history Example:history | grep ssh

whoami → Displays the current user. Example:whoami

ping → Tests network connectivity. Common options: ping -c (count). Example:ping -c 4 google.com