40+ Linux Commands Cheat Sheet for Beginners

All Linux users acknowledge the contributive power of the command-line/terminal environment. It is a wild card when it comes to accomplishing almost 90% of computing tasks associated with any Linux operating system distribution.

By default, any Linux distribution is prepackaged with numerous commands that are useful in meeting day-to-day computing objectives. This list of commands might seem endless and therefore intimidating to newcomers with a thirst for Linux.

Also, expert Linux users might forget the usage syntax associated with such commands. This article guide provides a reference manual for Linux commands which will be priceless during your Linux computing routines.

To make these Linux commands more memorable or easy to reference, we will categorically address them:

Linux File System Navigation Commands

1. ls Command

Lists files and directories present in the current folder/directory:

$ ls

To view more details like the owner, group, size, and relevant timestamps to the listed files and directories.

$ ls -l

You can also list the files of a specific file/directory.

$ ls -l bin

To view hidden files (if any) within a directory. Hidden files’ naming convention starts with a period e.g. .i_am_hidden.

$ ls -a

2. pwd Command

The pwd (print working directory) commands points a user to the absolute path of the current working directory:

$ pwd

3. cd Command

Effective in navigating to a different directory location by specifying its absolute path:

$ cd Apps
$ cd /home/dnyce
$ cd Documents
$ cd ~
$ cd -

4. file Command

Reveals the type of file/directory existing on our Linux machine:

$ file bin
$ file emm.jpg
$ file passwd

Linux File Manipulation Commands

5. mdkir Command

Creates a new non-existing directory:

$ mkdir new
$ ls

6. touch Command

Creates a new blank file.

$ touch new.txt
$ ls -l new.txt

7. cat Command

Creates a new file and lets you key in the needed text. Save the file content by pressing Ctrl + c on your keyboard.

$ cat > file

Open an existing file content in read-only mode.

$ cat file

8. rm Command

Delete a file.

$ rm new.txt
$ ls

Deletes a directory with files and other sub-directories

$ rm -r new

9. mv Command

Renames an existing file/directory.

$ mv file renamed_file
$ mv newer renamed_newer

10. cp Command

Copies an existing file/directory to a targeted location:

$ cp renamed_file backup
$ cp renamed_newer backup
$ ls -l backup

Linux File System Search Commands

11. find Command

Locate the instances of a file or directory name from the current working directory.

$ find backup
$ find * renamed_file

Linux Basic Administration Commands

12. whoami Command

Prints currently logged in system user.

$ whoami

dnyce

13. sudo Command

Enables the execution of root/sudoer-user-privileged commands.

$ sudo apt update

14. reboot Command

Restart your machine.

$ reboot

15. shutdown Command

Power off your machine.

$ shutdown

Linux File System Storage Commands

16. df Command

See used and available storage space on mounted partitions.

$ df
$ df -h

17. fdisk Command

Retrieve information on all active storage/partitions.

$ sudo fdisk -l 

18. du Command

Prints disk usage info of the current working directory.

$ du

19. mount Command

Mount an ISO file or storage device:

$ sudo mount file_to_mount target_mount_location

20. umount Command

Unmount a mounted ISO file or Storage device:

$ sudo umount mounted_location

Linux File Compression Commands

21. tar Command

Makes uncompressed tar archive.

$ tar cf name.tar target_directory

Makes a gzip-compressed tar archive.

$ tar cfz backup.tar backup

Extract a tar archive.

$ tar xf backup.tar

22. gzip Command

Makes gzip compression out of a file.

$ gzip renamed_file

23. gunzip Command

Decompresses a gzip compressed file.

$ gunzip renamed_file.gz

Linux Networking Commands

24. ip Command

Displays all active interface info like IP address.

$ ip a

Displays default gateway IP address.

$ ip r

25. ping Command

Test reachability of network device via its IP.

$ ping 192.168.100.3

26. ssh Command

Enables users to connect to remote machines via their IP.

$ ssh 192.168.100.3

Linux File Permission Commands

27. chmod Command

Changes file/directory permissions like read (r), write (w), and execute (x). A plus sign (+) grants permission, a minus sign (-) removes permission, an equal sign (=) grants and removes all others.

$ chmod +x script.sh
$ chmod -x script.sh
$ chmod =x script.sh

28. chown Command

Changes file/directory ownership.

$ chown root script.sh

29. chgrp Command

Change file/directory group ownership.

$ chgrp root script.sh

Linux User Management Commands

30. useradd Command

Create a new user account (low-level utility).

$ sudo useradd new_user

31. adduser Command

Create a user account (high-level utility).

$ sudo adduser new_user

32. deluser Command

Remove the user account.

$ sudo deluser new_user

33. usermod Command

Modify user account like login.

$ sudo usermod -i john_doe second_user

34. groupadd Command

Add user group.

$ sudo groupadd linuxshelltips

35. delgroup Command

Remove the user group.

$ sudo delgroup linuxshelltips

Linux Hardware Information Commands

36. lshw Command

Provides an informative display of all attached hardware components.

$ lshw

37. lsusb Command

Lists all plugged-in USB devices.

$ lsusb

38. dmidecode Command

Provides motherboard, chassis, BIOS, etc info.

$ sudo dmidecode

Other Useful Linux Commands

This Linux commands cheat sheet article should pave the way for you to categorically master the usage of the Linux terminal environment in the simplest way possible. Know of other cool Linux commands to add to this cheat sheet? Feel free to leave a comment or feedback.