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The sudo command in Linux explained

Updated 26 October 2026

The sudo command runs one command with administrator rights. It is one of the most useful commands for anyone using a live USB drive or a fresh Linux install.

Syntax

sudo command

Examples

Tip

Only use it for commands you understand, because it can change anything on the system.

Keep learning

New to the terminal? Start with Linux terminal basics. You can try every command safely from a live session: see how to try Linux without installing it. Run man sudo in a terminal for the full manual.

Frequently asked questions

How do I see every option for sudo?

Run man sudo for the full manual, or try sudo --help for a short summary.

Do I need sudo to run sudo?

It is the command that gives you those rights.

Is it safe to practise sudo on a live USB drive?

Mostly yes, because a live session starts fresh each time. Be careful with commands that write to your internal disk, such as rm on a mounted drive or dd.

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