Basic Linux Commands for Beginners

A list of essential Linux commands that every beginner should know.

File and Folder Management

• ls
  List all files and folders in the current directory.
• cd foldername
  Change into a specific folder.
• cd ..
  Move up one folder level.
• pwd
  Show the full path of your current location.
• mkdir foldername
  Create a new folder.
• rm filename
  Delete a file.
• rm -r foldername
  Delete a folder and everything inside it.
• cp file1 file2
  Copy a file.
• mv file1 file2
  Move or rename a file.

Viewing and Editing Files

• cat filename
  Display the content of a file.
• nano filename
  Edit a file in a simple terminal-based editor.

System Info and Navigation

• clear
  Clear the terminal screen.
• history
  Show all the previous commands you’ve used.
• man command
  Show the manual (help) for a command.

Software Installation and Updates (Debian/Ubuntu/ChromeOS Linux)

• sudo apt update
  Refresh the list of available software.
• sudo apt upgrade
  Upgrade all installed packages.
• sudo apt install packagename
  Install a new package.
• sudo apt remove packagename
  Remove an installed package