Many new users probably found Linux after watching a YouTube video. So here are few commands you should be familiar with when starting :)

Navigating the Filesystem

• cd [folder] – move into a directory

• cd .. – go up one level

• pwd – show current directory path

• ls – list files and folders in the current directory

• ls -a, ls -l – list all files (including hidden), or display details

Creating & Managing Files and Folders

• mkdir [folder_name] – create a new directory

• touch [file_name] – create an empty file

• rm [file] – delete a file

• rm -r [folder] – delete a directory and its contents

• cp [source] [destination] – copy files or directories

• mv [source] [destination] – move or rename files and folders

Installing & Updating Software (APT-based systems like Linux Mint/Ubuntu)

• sudo apt update – refresh the package list

• sudo apt upgrade – upgrade all upgradable packages

• sudo apt install [package_name] – install a package

• sudo apt remove [package_name] – uninstall a package

• apt list --upgradable – list packages that can be upgraded

System Info & Utility Commands

• clear – clear the terminal screen

• df -h – show disk space usage in a human-readable format

• free -h – display memory usage

• uname -a – display detailed system information

• history – list previously used commands

Extra Tools (Optional but Useful)

Neofetch – Display system information in a clean, visual format

• Install with: sudo apt install neofetch

• Run with: neofetch

Tree – Show directory structure as a tree in the terminal

• Install with: sudo apt install tree

• Run with: tree

• Tip: Running tree from the home directory (cd ~) will print the entire file structure under your user.

These are the most basic things you should know when entering the world of Linux. Of course, there are many more useful commands, so feel free to add any that you think would be helpful for beginners in the comments!