The commands below cover 95% of daily Linux use – navigation, files, permissions, processes, networking, and package management. Bookmark this page, or print it (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) to keep a copy on your desk.

🖥️ Navigation & files

pwdPrint current directory
lsList files
ls -laList all files with details & hidden files
cd dirChange to directory
cd ~Go to home directory
cd ..Go up one level
mkdir dirCreate directory
rm fileDelete file (careful – no undo)
rm -r dirDelete directory recursively
cp a bCopy a → b
mv a bMove / rename a → b
touch fileCreate empty file
cat filePrint file contents
less fileView file (scroll, q to quit)
head / tail fileFirst / last 10 lines
tail -f fileWatch file grow (logs)
grep pattern fileSearch lines matching pattern
find . -name "*.txt"Find files by name

🔐 Permissions & ownership

chmod 755 fileSet permissions (rwxr-xr-x)
chmod +x fileMake executable
chown user fileChange owner
chown -R user dirChange owner recursively
ls -lShow permissions
sudo commandRun as administrator

📦 Package management (apt – Debian/Ubuntu)

sudo apt updateRefresh package list
sudo apt upgradeUpgrade installed packages
sudo apt install pkgInstall a package
sudo apt remove pkgRemove a package
apt search termSearch available packages
dpkg -lList installed packages

⚙️ Processes & system

ps auxList running processes
top / htopLive system monitor
kill PIDEnd a process
kill -9 PIDForce-end a process
systemctl status svcService status
systemctl start/stop svcStart / stop a service
systemctl enable svcStart service on boot
df -hDisk usage
du -sh dirDirectory size
free -hMemory usage
uname -aKernel info

🌐 Networking

ping hostCheck connectivity
ip addrShow IP addresses
curl URLFetch a URL
wget URLDownload a file
ssh user@hostConnect via SSH
scp f user@h:/pathCopy file over SSH
netstat -tulpnShow open ports
dig domainDNS lookup

🧰 Handy shortcuts & tricks

TabAuto-complete
↑ / ↓Command history
Ctrl + CCancel current command
Ctrl + DExit shell / EOF
Ctrl + RSearch history
command | grep xPipe output into search
command > fileSave output to file
!!Repeat last command
man commandManual / help

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