A friendly, categorised cheat sheet of the Linux terminal commands worth knowing — with clear examples. Bookmark it, and remember: on Linux Lite you rarely have to use them.
Move around and manage files and folders.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
pwd | Show the folder you're currently in |
ls -la | List all files, including hidden ones, with details |
cd folder | Change into a folder (cd .. goes up one) |
cp file dest | Copy a file or folder |
mv file dest | Move or rename a file |
rm file | Delete a file (rm -r folder for a folder) |
mkdir name | Create a new folder |
find . -name "*.txt" | Search for files by name |
Read files, check your system and manage access.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
cat file | Print a file's contents |
less file | View a long file one screen at a time |
nano file | Edit a text file in a simple editor |
grep "text" file | Search inside a file for text |
df -h | Show free disk space |
free -h | Show memory (RAM) usage |
top | See running processes live |
chmod +x file | Make a file executable |
sudo command | Run a command with administrator rights |
Install apps and check your connection (Linux Lite uses apt).
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
sudo apt update | Refresh the list of available software |
sudo apt upgrade | Install available updates |
sudo apt install name | Install a program |
sudo apt remove name | Uninstall a program |
ping linuxliteos.com | Test your internet connection to a site |
ip a | Show your network addresses |
On Linux Lite, everyday tasks — installing apps, managing files, updating your system — all have friendly graphical tools, so the terminal is there when you want it, not when you're forced to use it. When you're ready to explore, the built-in Help Manual and the community forum are the perfect place to build confidence. New to Linux? Start with how to install Linux.
Linux Lite gives you a fast, friendly desktop with powerful commands under the hood whenever you want them. Download it free.