Essential Tools Linux (Commands) Every Beginner Must Know

Learn Essential Tools Linux (commands) to navigate the system, manage files, and control processes. Applies to Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and AlmaLinux.

• USB drive (8 GB or more)
• ISO image of Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, or AlmaLinux
• Rufus (Windows) or balenaEtcher (Mac/Linux/Windows) to create bootable USB
• Internet connection for updates (optional, but recommended)

Before starting make sure ur linux is ready.

• Ubuntu: ubuntu.com/download
• Debian: debian.org/distrib
• CentOS Stream: centos.org/download
• AlmaLinux: almalinux.org/download
• Talkecho full toturial: Click here

# show current directory
pwd

# list files in directory
ls
ls -l    # detailed view
ls -lh   # human-readable sizes
ls -a    # include hidden files

# change directory
cd /home
cd ..    # go up one level
cd ~     # go to home directory
cd -     # go to previous directory

# get absolute path
readlink -f .

# create a new directory
mkdir myfolder
mkdir -p new/folder/path   # create nested directories

# create an empty file
touch notes.txt

# copy files
cp file.txt /tmp/
cp -r dir1/ dir2/           # copy directories recursively

# move (or rename) files
mv file.txt documents/
mv oldname.txt newname.txt  # rename file

# remove files and directories
rm file.txt
rm -r old_folder/
rm -rf /tmp/tempfiles/      # force remove without prompt

# print file contents
cat file.txt

# view file one page at a time
less file.txt
more file.txt

# show first 10 lines
head file.txt
head -n 20 file.txt   # show first 20 lines

# show last 10 lines
tail file.txt
tail -f /var/log/syslog   # follow logs live

# edit a file in terminal
nano file.txt
vi file.txt
vim file.txt              # improved vi editor

# show date and time
date

# show current user
whoami

# show logged-in users
who
w

# show disk usage
df -h
du -sh *    # disk usage of files/folders in current directory

# show memory usage
free -h
vmstat

# system uptime
uptime
uname -a   # system and kernel info

# show running processes
ps aux
ps -ef

# dynamic process viewer
top
htop     # (install via: sudo apt install htop OR sudo dnf install htop)

# kill a process by ID
kill 1234
kill -9 1234   # force kill

# kill by name
pkill firefox
killall firefox

# show permissions
ls -l

# change permissions (read/write/execute)
chmod 755 script.sh
chmod +x run.sh         # add execute permission

# change file owner
sudo chown user:user file.txt
sudo chown -R user:group /var/www/   # recursively change owner

# show IP address
ip a
ifconfig   # (may need: sudo apt install net-tools)

# test connectivity
ping google.com
ping -c 4 example.com   # send 4 packets

# download file
wget http://example.com/file.zip
curl -O http://example.com/file.zip

# check open ports
netstat -tuln
ss -tuln

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