Command reference
Must-Know Commands for Every Linux User
The durable command vocabulary that appears across desktops, servers, rescue systems, and documentation.
ls
Lists files and directories.
ls [options] [path]
cd
Changes the current shell directory.
cd [directory]
pwd
Prints the current working directory.
pwd
cp
Copies files and directories.
cp [options] source... destination
mv
Moves or renames files and directories.
mv [options] source... destination
rm
Removes files or directory trees.
rm [options] file...
cat
Prints and concatenates file contents.
cat [options] file...
less
Opens text in a scrollable pager.
less [options] file
grep
Searches text for matching patterns.
grep [options] pattern [file...]
find
Searches for files by name, type, time, size, and more.
find path [tests] [actions]
chmod
Changes file mode permissions.
chmod [options] mode file...
chown
Changes file owner and optionally group.
chown [options] owner[:group] file...
ps
Reports current processes.
ps [options]
kill
Sends a signal to a process.
kill [signal] PID...
systemctl
Controls systemd services and system state.
systemctl [command] [unit]
journalctl
Reads the systemd journal.
journalctl [options]
ssh
Opens a secure remote shell connection.
ssh [options] [user@]host [command]
tar
Creates and extracts archive files.
tar [options] archive [files...]