Linux Command

Command Description
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.