Basics

A small Linux cheat sheet, introducing the very basic and very essential commands for surviving at the Linux Command Line Interface (CLI).

Moving around in the file system

Command	Action
pwd	"Print working directory" - show what dir you're in.
ls	List the contents of a dir.
ls -l	List the contents of a dir and show additional info of the files.
ls -a	List all files, including hidden files.
cd	Change directory.
cd ..	Go to the parent directory.

Examining files

Command	Action
file	Determine the type of a file.
cat	Concatenate a file.
less	View text files and paginate them if needed.

Manipulating files and directories

Command	Action
cp	Copy a file.
cp -i	Copy a file and ask before overwriting.
cp -r	Copy a directory with its contents.
mv	Move or rename a file.
mv -i	Move or rename a file and ask before overwriting.
rm	Remove a file.
rm -r	Remove a directory with its contents.
rm -i	Ask before removing a file. Good to use with the -r option.
mkdir	Make a directory.
rmdir	Remove an empty directory.

Files and directory Permissions

Command	Action
chown	Change ownership
chgrp	Change group
chmod	Change permissions

NOTE: Linux Permission Chart Table calculates based on input.