Common Linux Commands

cat - [filename] Display file’s contents to the standard output device (usually your monitor).

cd - /directorypath Change to directory.

chmod - [options] mode filename Change a file’s permissions.

chown - [options] filename Change who owns a file.

clear - Clear a command line screen/window for a fresh start.

cp - [options] source destination Copy files and directories.

date - [options] Display or set the system date and time.

df - [options] Display used and available disk space.

du - [options] Show how much space each file takes up.

file - [options] filename Determine what type of data is within a file.

find - [pathname] [expression] Search for files matching a provided pattern.

grep - [options] pattern [filesname] Search files or output for a particular pattern.

kill - [options] pid Stop a process. If the process refuses to stop, use kill -9 pid.

less - [options] [filename] View the contents of a file one page at a time.

ln - [options] source [destination] Create a shortcut. locate filename Search a copy of your filesystem for the specified filename.

lpr - [options] Send a print job.

ls - [options] List directory contents.

man - [command] Display the help information for the specified command.

mkdir - [options] directory Create a new directory.

mv - [options] source destination Rename or move file(s) or directories.

passwd - [name [password]] Change the password or allow (for the system administrator) to

change - any password.

ps - [options] Display a snapshot of the currently running processes.

pwd - Display the pathname for the current directory.

rm - [options] directory Remove (delete) file(s) and/or directories.

rmdir - [options] directory Delete empty directories.

ssh - [options] user@machine Remotely log in to another Linux machine, over the network.

Leave - an ssh session by typing exit.

su - [options] [user [arguments]] Switch to another user account.

tail - [options] [filename] Display the last n lines of a file (the default is 10).

tar - [options] filename Store and extract files from a tarfile (.tar) or tarball (.tar.gz or .tgz).

top - Displays the resources being used on your system. Press q to exit.

touch - filename Create an empty file with the specified name.

who - [options] Display who is logged on.