Linux Shortcuts & Commands

Handy Linux commands and keyboard shortcuts for everyday system management and navigation.

Action	Command	Details
List files	`ls -la`	List all files including hidden ones with detailed info.
Change directory	`cd <path>`	Navigate to the specified directory.
Current directory	`pwd`	Print current working directory path.
Create directory	`mkdir <name>`	Create a new directory.
Remove file	`rm <file>`	Delete a file.
Remove directory	`rm -rf <dir>`	Recursively delete directory and contents. Use cautiously.
Copy file	`cp src dest`	Copy files or directories.
Move file	`mv src dest`	Move or rename files and directories.
Search text	`grep 'text' <file>`	Search for 'text' inside a file.
Find file	`find . -name <pattern>`	Search files matching a pattern in current directory.
System info	`uname -a`	Print detailed system info including kernel version.
Disk usage	`df -h`	Show disk space usage in human-readable format.
Memory usage	`free -m`	Show RAM and swap usage in megabytes.
Process list	`ps aux`	List all running processes with details.
Kill process	`kill -9 <pid>`	Force kill a process by process ID.
Network interfaces	`ifconfig`	Display network interface info (deprecated, use ip addr).
Show open ports	`netstat -tuln`	List listening TCP/UDP ports.
Change permissions	`chmod 755 <file>`	Set file permissions; 755 = owner rwx, others rx.
Change ownership	`chown user:group <file>`	Change file owner and group.
View logs	`tail -f /var/log/syslog`	Continuously display new log entries.
Edit files	`vim <file>`	Open a file in Vim text editor.
Command history	`history`	Show previously run commands.
Repeat last command	`!!`	Run the last executed command again.
Background job	`command &`	Run a command in the background.
Bring job to foreground	`fg`	Bring background job to foreground.
Exit terminal	`exit`	Close the terminal session.

Linux Shortcuts & Commands

LoopPlunk