Command-line Cheatsheet
General command syntax
command | option(s) | arguments(s) |
|---|---|---|
ls | -lh | /usr/bin |
sort | -u | users.txt |
grep | -i | "needle" haystack |
command: action you want to take
option(s): tell the command how to operate
argument(s): tell the command what it will operate on
Text navigation shortcuts
ctrl + a (^a) - move to beginning of line
ctrl + e (^e) - move to end of line
ctrl + ⬅ (left arrow) - move left one word
ctrl + ➡ (right arrow) - move right one word
ctrl + u (^u) - remove/crop from cursor to start
ctrl + k (^k) - remove/crop from cursor to end
ctrl + y (^y) - paste cropped text
ctrl + shift + v - paste from clipboard
ctrl + shift + c - copy to clipboard
⬆ (up arrow) - recall previous commands
⬇ (down arrow) - scroll previous commands
ctrl + r - search command history
Finding help for commands
manual : man
man <command>
if you know the name of the command but want to know what options/flags you can use
Example:
apropos
if you don't know the name of the command
Example:
Commands at the shell prompt
increase font size:
ctrl+shift+ (+)decrease font size:
ctrl+shift+ (-)
Misc keyboard shortcuts
Tab completion
automatically completes a file or folder name
Example:
ls -l De + tab completes Desktop ls -l Do + tab will show possible options
cancel:
ctrl+cclear:
clear