Basic Linux Commands (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 12 May, 2026

Linux commands are used to interact with the operating system through the terminal and perform tasks like file management, navigation, and system monitoring. Learning basic Linux commands helps beginners understand how Linux works and use it efficiently for daily tasks.

Helps beginners understand and use the Linux terminal effectively
Covers commonly used commands for files, directories, and system tasks
Useful for students, developers, and system administrators
Builds a strong foundation for advanced Linux and server management

25_basic_linux_commands

25 Basic Linux Commands

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25 Basic Linux commands to help beginners start working with Linux confidently.

1. ls

The ls command in Linux is used to list files and directories present in the current working directory.

Helps users quickly understand directory contents.

**Syntax:

ls [options] [directory]

**Example:

**Output:

Output

The ls command lists all the directories and files available in the current working directory.

2. pwd

The pwd command in Linux is used to display the full path of the current directory.

**Syntax:

pwd

**Example:

pwd

**Output:

pwd

Output

The pwd command prints the absolute path of the current working directory.

**3. mkdir

The mkdir command in Linux is used to create new directories or folders.

**Syntax:

mkdir directory_name

**Example:

mkdir GeeksforGeeks

**Output:

mkdir

Output

The mkdir command creates a new directory named GeeksforGeeks.

4. cd

The cd command in Linux is used to change the current working directory.

Allows navigation between directories.
Moves the user to the home directory when used without arguments.

**Syntax:

cd directory_name

**Example:

cd GeeksforGeeks

**Output:

Output

The cd command changes the current working directory to GeeksforGeeks.

5. rmdir

The rmdir command in Linux is used to delete empty directories.

**Syntax:

rmdir directory_name

**Example:

rmdir TestFolder

**Output:

rmdir

Output

The rmdir command deletes the empty directory TestFolder.

6. cat

The cat command in Linux is used to display file contents and combine multiple files.

**Syntax:

cat file_name

**Example:

cat test.txt

**Output:

cat

Output

The cat command displays the content of the file.

7. cp

The cp command in Linux is used to copy files or directories.

**Syntax:

cp source destination

**Example:

cp file1.txt file2.txt

**Output:

Output

The cp command copies the contents of file1.txt into file2.txt.

8. mv

The mv command in Linux is used to move or rename files and directories.

**Syntax:

mv old_name new_name

**Example:

mv old.txt new.txt

**Output:

Output

The mv command renames the file old.txt to new.txt.

9. rm

The rm command in Linux is used to delete files permanently.

**Syntax:

rm file_name

**Example:

rm demo.txt

**Output:

Output

The rm command deletes the file demo.txt.

10. uname

The uname command in Linux is used to display system information.

Shows operating system details.
Helps identify the system.

**Syntax:

uname [OPTIONS]

**Example:

uname

**Output:

uname

Output

The uname command displays the operating system name.

11. locate

The locate command in Linux is used to find files using a database.

**Syntax:

locate file_name

**Example:

locate demo.txt

**Output:

locate

Output

The locate command shows the path of the searched file.
Requires updatedb database

12. touch

The touch command in Linux is used to create empty files and updates file timestamps.

**Syntax:

touch file_name

**Example:

touch test.txt

**Output:

touch

Output

The touch command creates an empty file named test.txt.

13. ln

The ln command in Linux is used to create links between files.

Supports hard and soft links.

**Syntax:

ln -s source link_name

**Example:

ln -s file1.txt link1.txt

**Output:

Output

The ln command creates a symbolic link.

14. clear

The clear command in Linux is used to clear the terminal screen.

**Syntax:

clear

**Example:

clear

**Output:

clear

Output

The terminal screen is cleared.

15. ps

The ps command in Linux is used to display running processes.

Helps monitor system activity.

**Syntax:

**Example:

**Output:

Output

The ps command displays currently running processes.
commonly used as "ps aux"

16. man

The man command in Linux is used to display command manuals.

Explains options and usage of commands

**Syntax:

man command_name

**Example:

man ls

**Output:

man

Output

man--ls

Output

The manual page of the command is displayed.

17. grep

The grep command in Linux is used to search text patterns.

Finds specific strings.
Filters output.

**Syntax:

grep "text" file_name

**Example:

grep "Python" notes.txt

**Output:

Output

The grep command displays matching lines.

18. echo

The echo command in Linux is used to display text in the terminal.

**Syntax:

echo "text"

**Example:

echo "Hello Linux"

**Output:

echo

Output

The text is printed on the terminal.

19. wget

The wget command in Linux is used to download files from the internet using URL

**Syntax:

wget url

**Example:

wget http://example.com/file.zip%3C/span>

**Output:

wget

Output

The file is downloaded successfully.

20. whoami

The whoami command in Linux is used to display the current user.

**Syntax:

whoami

**Example:

whoami

**Output:

whoami

Output

The current username is displayed.

21. sort

The sort command in Linux is used to sort file contents.

**Syntax:

sort file_name

**Example:

sort test.txt

**Output:

sort

Output

The file content is displayed in sorted order.

22. cal

The cal command in Linux is used to display the calendar.

**Syntax:

cal

**Example:

cal

**Output:

Output

The current month calendar is displayed.

23. whereis

The whereis command in Linux is used to locate command files.

Shows binary location.

**Syntax:

whereis command_name

**Example:

whereis ls

**Output:

whereis

Output

The location of the command is displayed.

24. df

The df command in Linux is used to display disk space usage.

**Syntax:

df [options]

**Example:

df -h

**Output:

Output

Disk usage details are displayed.

25. wc

The wc command in Linux is used to count words, lines, and characters.

**Syntax:

wc [OPTION] file_name

**Example:

wc test.txt

**Output:

Output

The number of words in the file is displayed.