Important Linux Commands

Command(Parameters) Example Explanation
ls(dir) ls -l Lists directory contents
cd(dir) cd /home/user Changes current directory
pwd /home/user Prints working directory
mkdir(dir) mkdir newfolder Creates a new directory
rm(file) rm file.txt Removes files or directories
cp(source dest) cp file.txt file2.txt Copies files or directories
mv(source dest) mv file.txt /home Moves or renames files
cat(file) cat file.txt Displays file contents
less(file) less largefile.txt Views file contents page by page
grep(pattern file) grep "text" file.txt Searches text in files
chmod(perms file) chmod 755 script.sh Changes file permissions
chown(user file) chown user1 file.txt Changes file ownership
ps ps aux Displays running processes
kill(pid) kill 1234 Terminates processes by ID
top top Shows system processes live
df df -h Displays disk space usage
du du -sh /dir Shows directory size
tar(options file) tar -cvf archive.tar /dir Creates/extracts archives
sudo(command) sudo apt update Runs command as superuser
man(command) man ls Shows command manual