Linux Commands List with Examples
List of most useful Linux commands with description and examples
Managing packages
python
apt update
apt list
apt install nano
apt remove nano
Navigating the file system
python
pwd # to print the working directory
ls # to list the files and directories
ls -l # to print a long list
cd / # to go to the root directory
cd bin # to go to the bin directory
cd .. # to go one level up
cd ~ # to go to the home directory
Manipulating files and directories
python
mkdir test # to create the test directory
mv test docker # to rename a directory
touch file.txt # to create file.txt
mv file.txt hello.txt # to rename a file
rm hello.txt # to remove a file
rm -r docker # to recursively remove a directory
Editing and viewing files
python
nano file.txt # to edit file.txt
cat file.txt # to view file.txt
less file.txt # to view with scrolling capabilities
head file.txt # to view the first 10 lines
head -n 5 file.txt # to view the first 5 lines
tail file.txt # to view the last 10 lines
tail -n 5 file.txt # to view the last 5 lines
Searching for text
python
grep hello file.txt # to search for hello in file.txt
grep -i hello file.txt # case-insensitive search
grep -i hello file*.txt # to search in files with a pattern
grep -i -r hello . # to search in the current directory
Finding files and directories
python
find # to list all files and directories
find -type d # to list directories only
find -type f # to list files only
find -name “f*” # to filter by name using a pattern
Managing environment variables
python
printenv # to list all variables and their value
printenv PATH # to view the value of PATH
echo $PATH # to view the value of PATH
export name=bob # to set a variable in the current session
Managing processes
python
ps # to list the running processes
kill 37 # to kill the process with ID 37
Managing users and groups
python
useradd -m john # to create a user with a home directory
adduser john # to add a user interactively
usermod # to modify a user
userdel # to delete a user
groupadd devs # to create a group
groups john # to view the groups for john
groupmod # to modify a group
groupdel # to delete a group
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