Basic Linux Commands
This list comes courtesy of Mark Rais, senior editor reallylinux.com

NOTICE this is ONLY the Basic list.

Also read our commands for beginning administrators, and commands for files and directories:
Beginning Server Administration
Files and Permissions
Directory navigation
Commands for Guru-Wannabees

It is my hope that these beginner Linux commands will provide you with a good start to your Linux command line adventures.

TIP 1:
All of these beginner Linux commands should work from your command prompt (regardless which shell you're using). Just in case some folks were not aware, you MUST press enter to invoke the command, and I try to cover the Linux commands I use most often such as cd, pwd, finger and man.

TIP 2:
For this summary, please note that the EX: stands for example and is not part of the command. Commands are denoted in courier type font.

TIP 3:
If you need help understanding what the options are, or how to use a command, try adding this to the end of your command: --help

For example, for better understanding of the df command's options, type:
df --help

More Linux commands? Perhaps you're ready for our Commands for Guru Wanna-bees or review the Beginner commands for Server Administration.


These commands brought to you by Reallylinux.com. The commands include cd, clear, date, df (disk space), finger (also use who), ls (list files, list directories), more (show content), nano (also similar to text editors vi, emacs, joe, and pico), passwd (change password), and pwd (print working directory).
Command Summary Use
Use cd to change directories Type cd followed by the name of a directory to access that directory.
Keep in mind that you are always in a directory and allowed access to any directories hierarchically above or below. You may also benefit from reviewing my directory commands page.Ex:
cd games
If the directory games is not located hierarchically below the current directory, then the complete path must be written out. Ex:
cd /usr/games
To move up one directory, use the shortcut command. Ex:
cd ..