The tail command in Linux explained
The tail command shows the last lines of a file and can follow it live. It is one of the most useful commands for anyone using a live USB drive or a fresh Linux install.
Syntax
tail [-n count] file
Examples
tail -n 20 log.txt: the last 20 linestail -f log.txt: watch new lines as they arrive
Tip
Press Ctrl+C to stop following.
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 tail in a terminal for the full manual.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see every option for tail?
Run man tail for the full manual, or try tail --help for a short summary.
Do I need sudo to run tail?
Not for your own files. You only need sudo when the command changes something owned by the system or another user.
Is it safe to practise tail 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.