Essential Linux Commands Every Beginner Should Know

New to Linux? Here are the most important commands to get you started.

Navigation

pwd          # Print current directory
ls           # List files
ls -la       # List with details and hidden files
cd /path     # Change directory
cd ..        # Go up one directory
cd ~         # Go to home directory

File Operations

cp file1 file2       # Copy file
mv file1 file2       # Move/rename file
rm file              # Delete file
rm -r directory      # Delete directory
mkdir dirname        # Create directory
touch filename       # Create empty file

Viewing Files

cat file       # Display entire file
less file      # Page through file
head -n 20 file  # First 20 lines
tail -n 20 file  # Last 20 lines
tail -f file     # Follow file in real-time

System Info

uname -a       # System information
whoami         # Current user
hostname       # Server hostname
uptime         # System uptime and load
df -h          # Disk usage
free -h        # Memory usage