Scribd
Upload
4 views

Linux Command Reference

The Linux Command Reference Guide provides essential commands for navigation, file operations, and managing file permissions. It includes service management commands, log file operations, and system information commands, along with tips for combining commands and using shortcuts. The document serves as a comprehensive resource for users to efficiently interact with the Linux operating system.

Uploaded by

Nour Gad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views

Linux Command Reference

The Linux Command Reference Guide provides essential commands for navigation, file operations, and managing file permissions. It includes service management commands, log file operations, and system information commands, along with tips for combining commands and using shortcuts. The document serves as a comprehensive resource for users to efficiently interact with the Linux operating system.

Uploaded by

Nour Gad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

linux-command-reference.

md 2024-11-25

Linux Command Reference Guide


Essential Navigation & File Operations
Basic Navigation

pwd: Print Working Directory - shows current directory path


ls: List files and directories
ls -l: Long format with permissions and details
ls -a: Show hidden files
ls -lh: Human-readable file sizes
cd [directory]: Change Directory
cd ..: Move up one directory
cd ~: Go to home directory
cd -: Go to previous directory

File Operations

cp [source] [destination]: Copy files/directories


cp -r: Copy directories recursively
mv [source] [destination]: Move/rename files
rm [file]: Remove files
rm -r: Remove directories recursively
rm -f: Force remove without confirmation
mkdir [directory]: Create directory
touch [file]: Create empty file/update timestamp

File Permissions
Understanding Permissions

rwx rwx rwx = 777


─┬─ ─┬─ ─┬─
│ │ │
│ │ └─── Others (Everyone else)
│ └─────── Group
└─────────── Owner

r (read) = 4
w (write) = 2
x (execute) = 1

chmod Commands

chmod [permissions] [file]: Change file permissions


Numeric format:

1/3
linux-command-reference.md 2024-11-25

chmod 755 file: rwxr-xr-x


chmod 644 file: rw-r--r--
chmod 777 file: rwxrwxrwx
Symbolic format:
chmod u+x file: Add execute for user
chmod g-w file: Remove write for group
chmod o=r file: Set others to read only
chmod a+x file: Add execute for all

OpenRC Environment Variables


Service Management

rc-service [service] start: Start a service


rc-service [service] stop: Stop a service
rc-service [service] restart: Restart a service
rc-status: Show status of all services
rc-update add [service] [runlevel]: Add service to runlevel
rc-update del [service] [runlevel]: Remove service from runlevel

Environment Variables

env: Display all environment variables


echo $VARIABLE: Display specific variable
export VARIABLE=value: Set environment variable
source /etc/profile: Reload environment variables
/etc/env.d/: Directory for environment variable files

Log File Operations


tail Command Options

tail [file]: Show last 10 lines of file


tail -n [number] [file]: Show last N lines
tail -f [file]: Follow file in real-time (useful for logs)
tail -F [file]: Follow file by name (works even if file is rotated)
tail -n +[number] [file]: Start showing from line N

Common Log Monitoring Commands

tail -f /var/log/syslog: Monitor system logs


tail -f /var/log/auth.log: Monitor authentication logs
tail -f /var/log/messages: Monitor general system messages
tail -f /var/log/apache2/access.log: Monitor Apache access logs
journalctl -f: Monitor systemd journal logs

System Information & Process Management


System Commands
2/3
linux-command-reference.md 2024-11-25

top: Display system processes in real-time


htop: Interactive process viewer
ps aux: Show all running processes
df -h: Show disk space usage
free -h: Show memory usage
uname -a: Show system information

Process Management

kill [PID]: Terminate process by ID


killall [name]: Terminate processes by name
pkill [pattern]: Kill processes matching pattern
nice [value] [command]: Run command with modified priority

Additional Tips
1. Combining Commands:

Use | (pipe) to chain commands


Use && to run commands sequentially if previous succeeds
Use ; to run commands sequentially regardless of success

2. Shortcuts:

Ctrl + C: Interrupt current process


Ctrl + Z: Suspend current process
Ctrl + D: Exit current shell
Ctrl + R: Search command history
!!: Repeat last command

3. Common Log Locations:

/var/log/: Main log directory


/var/log/syslog: System logs
/var/log/auth.log: Authentication logs
/var/log/messages: General message logs

3/3

You might also like