Essential Linux Commands Cheat Sheet

Linux offers a plethora of commands to help you manage your system efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned administrator or a beginner, having a cheat sheet of essential commands is always handy. Below is a comprehensive list of important Linux commands and their primary uses:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| ls | List files and directories in the current directory. |
| cd | Change the current directory. |
| pwd | Print the current working directory. |
| mkdir | Create a new directory. |
| rmdir | Remove a directory. |
| touch | Create an empty file. |
| cp | Copy files and directories. |
| mv | Move or rename files and directories. |
| rm | Remove files and directories. |
| find | Search for files and directories. |
| top | Display real-time system statistics. |
| free | Show system memory usage. |
| df | Display disk space usage. |
| uname | Print system information. |
| ps | List running processes. |
| cat | Display file content. |
| grep | Search text using patterns. |
| sed | Stream editor for text manipulation. |
| awk | Text processing tool for data extraction. |
| apt | Package management on Debian-based systems. |
| yum | Package management on Red Hat-based systems. |
| who | Show logged-in users. |
| useradd | Add a new user. |
| passwd | Change user password. |
| userdel | Delete a user. |
| ping | Send ICMP echo requests to a host. |
| ifconfig | Display or configure network interfaces. |
| netstat | Show network statistics. |
| ssh | Securely connect to a remote server. |
| chmod | Change file permissions. |
| chown | Change file ownership. |
| tar | Archive and compress files. |
| gzip | Compress files. |
| wget | Download files from the web. |
| curl | Transfer data with URLs. |
| date | Display or set the system date and time. |
| history | View command history. |
| shutdown | Shut down or restart the system. |
Use this cheat sheet as a quick reference to streamline your Linux administration tasks. For in-depth Linux training and certification programs, explore SpringPeople’s offerings and elevate your skills to the next level. Master the command line, enhance your proficiency, and become a Linux pro with SpringPeople!