The most common Linux commands are shown in this table.
| 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. |
