Learning Linux for the first time can feel overwhelming — dozens of commands, strange symbols, and a terminal window that looks intimidating. But once you start using it, you’ll see that Linux is extremely powerful, and even a handful of basic commands can help you feel more confident and in control of your system.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn 30 of the most essential Linux commands with simple explanations and examples to help you understand exactly how they work.
What Is a Linux Command?
A Linux command is an instruction typed into the terminal to tell the operating system what to do. Whether you want to view files, navigate folders, install software, or manage users, everything can be done through commands.
Why Beginners Should Learn Linux Terminal Commands
You don’t need to memorize hundreds of commands. Even learning just 30 important ones can make you productive. These commands help you:
- Navigate the file system comfortably
- Manage files and directories
- Check system information
- Work faster than using a GUI
- Troubleshoot system issues
30 Basic Linux Commands Every Beginner Should Know
1. pwd – Print Working Directory
Shows the folder you are currently in.
pwd2. ls – List Files
Displays files and directories in the current location.
ls3. cd – Change Directory
Moves you to another directory.
cd /home/user/Documents4. clear – Clear Terminal
Cleans up your screen for better readability.
clear5. mkdir – Make Directory
Creates a new folder.
mkdir projects6. rmdir – Remove Directory
Deletes an empty folder.
rmdir old_folder7. touch – Create a Blank File
Creates an empty file.
touch file.txt8. cp – Copy Files or Folders
Copies a file to another location.
cp file.txt backup/9. mv – Move or Rename File
Moves or renames a file.
mv file.txt folder/10. rm – Remove File
Deletes a file.
rm file.txt11. cat – View File Contents
Displays the entire content of a file.
cat notes.txt12. nano – Edit Files
Opens a file in a simple text editor.
nano notes.txt13. less – Scroll Through File
Lets you view large files page by page.
less bigfile.log14. head – Show First 10 Lines
Displays the top part of a file.
head file.txt15. tail – Show Last 10 Lines
Displays the bottom part of a file.
tail file.txt16. grep – Search Inside Files
Searches for specific words or phrases.
grep "error" log.tx17. find – Locate Files
Finds a file by name.
find / -name file.txt18. whoami – Show Current User
Shows the username that is logged in.
whoami19. uname – System Information
Displays system info.
uname -a20. df – Disk Space Usage
Shows available disk space.
df -h21. du – Folder Size
Displays the size of files and directories.
du -h foldername22. top – Monitor System Processes
Shows running processes in real time.
topIf you want a nicer interface like below. Use this command:
htopIf you don’t have htop installed, use this command to install it:
sudo apt install htop23. ps – View Active Processes
Displays current processes.
ps auxIf you’re looking for a specific program so you can use the command from point 24, just use this command to find out the PID of the program you want to end:
ps aux | grep "name of the program"24. kill – Stop a Process
Ends a program using its process ID (PID).
kill 123425. history – View Command History
Shows previously used commands.
history26. chmod – Change File Permissions
Updates read/write permissions.
chmod 755 script.sh27. chown – Change File Owner
Changes file ownership.
chown user:user file.txt28. apt-get or yum – Install Packages
Used to install or update software.
Apt-get:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install package-nameYum:
yum update
yum install package-name29. man – Manual Pages
Displays help documentation for commands.
man ls30. exit – Close Terminal
Closes the terminal session.
exitTips for Mastering Linux Faster
- Practice using commands daily
- Use
manfor help whenever needed - Combine commands with pipes (
|) later as you advance - Don’t worry about making mistakes — the terminal is your best learning tool
Final Thoughts
Learning Linux doesn’t have to be difficult. With these 30 basic commands, you now have the foundation to navigate your system easily and perform essential tasks without fear. As you grow more comfortable, you’ll discover more advanced commands and shortcuts that help you work even faster and smarter.
The key is practice — the more you use them, the more natural they feel.
