5 Linux Commands Every Beginner Should Know

https://youtu.be/RKSzAr4P9zA

If you’re new to Linux, diving into the terminal can feel intimidating at first—but it doesn’t have to be! In this video, we’re going to break down 5 essential Linux commands every beginner needs to know. These are simple yet powerful commands you’ll use every single day, whether you’re managing files, navigating directories, or maintaining your system. Mastering these commands will quickly boost your confidence and open the door to all the amazing things Linux has to offer.

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro
00:56 Explore Files with ls: List and Organize
02:18 Navigate Like a Pro with cd
05:12 Copy Files Easily Using cp
06:36 Clean Up with Confidence Using rm
06:55 Do NOT run this: sudo rm -rf /
08:56 Superpowers Unlocked with sudo
12:35 Outro

5 Essential Linux Commands

1. ls (List files and directories)

List basic contents of current directory:

ls
# shows all visible files and folders

List detailed information with file permissions:

ls -l
# displays detailed info, including size, date, and permissions

List all files, including hidden ones:

ls -a
# lists visible and hidden files/directories (hidden start with .)

Combine detailed and hidden views:

ls -la
# detailed view with all files and folders, including hidden ones

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2. cd (Change directories)

Go into a subdirectory:

cd Documents
# navigates into Documents directory

Go up one level:

cd ..
# moves you up one directory level

Go back to your home directory:

cd ~
# quickly returns to the home directory

Return to the last directory you visited:

cd -
# moves you back to your previous directory

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3. cp (Copy files and directories)

Copy a file within the same directory:

cp notes.txt notes_backup.txt
# creates a copy of notes.txt as notes_backup.txt

Copy a file into a different directory:

cp photo.jpg ~/Pictures/Vacation/
# copies photo.jpg into the Vacation folder

Copy an entire directory and its contents:

cp -r Project ~/Documents/Backup/
# copies the entire Project directory to Backup

---

4. rm (Remove files/directories)

Remove a single file:

rm outdated_notes.txt
# deletes the file named outdated_notes.txt

Remove multiple files simultaneously:

rm file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
# deletes multiple specified files at once

Remove an empty directory:

rmdir EmptyFolder
# deletes the EmptyFolder directory (must be empty)

Remove a directory and all contents:

rm -r OldProject/
# deletes OldProject directory and everything inside it

Safely prompt before removing (recommended practice):

rm -i important_doc.txt
# asks for confirmation before deleting the file

---

5. sudo (Execute commands with root/admin privileges)

Update system packages (Debian/Ubuntu):

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
# updates package list and upgrades installed packages

Edit a protected system file:

sudo nano /etc/hosts
# opens the hosts file for editing in nano text editor as admin

Restart a service (e.g., SSH):

sudo systemctl restart ssh
# restarts the SSH service (common administrative task)

Shutdown or reboot the system:

sudo reboot
# restarts your computer immediately

or

sudo shutdown now
# shuts down your computer immediately