Linux terminal basics for beginners

Updated 26 October 2026

You rarely need the terminal on a beginner system, but a few commands are handy.

• pwd shows where you are.
• ls lists files.
• cd folder moves into a folder.
• cp and mv copy and move files.
• mkdir makes a folder.
• sudo runs a command as administrator.
• apt update and apt upgrade update Debian-based systems.
• man command shows the manual.

Be careful with commands you do not understand, especially sudo.

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