Bash Commands Cheat Sheet With Examples For Beginners

Bash Commands in Linux

A popular command-line shell in Linux and Unix-like operating systems is called Bash. Users can run applications, handle files, communicate with the system, and automate operations using scripts and commands. Many Linux distributions come with Bash as the default shell.

The following list of frequently used Bash commands includes examples and explanations.

File and Directory Commands

pwd

Displays the current working directory.

bash

pwd

Example output:

bash

/home/user/Documents

ls

Lists files and directories in the current directory.

bash

ls

Common options:

bash

ls -l     # detailed list
ls -a     # show hidden files
ls -lh    # human-readable file sizes

cd

Changes the current directory.

bash

cd /home/user/Documents

Special uses:

bash

cd ..     # go to parent directory
cd ~      # go to home directory
cd -      # go to previous directory

mkdir

Creates a new directory.

bash

mkdir projects

Create multiple directories:

bash

mkdir dir1 dir2 dir3

rmdir

Removes an empty directory.

bash

rmdir oldfolder

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File Management Commands

touch

Creates an empty file.

bash

touch file.txt

cp

Copies files or directories.

bash

cp file.txt backup.txt

Copy directory:

bash

cp -r folder1 folder2

mv

Moves or renames files.

bash

mv oldname.txt newname.txt

Move file to another directory:

bash

mv file.txt /home/user/Documents

rm

Deletes files or directories.

bash

rm file.txt

Delete directory recursively:

bash

rm -r folder

Force delete:

bash

rm -rf folder

Command	Description	Example
pwd	Show current directory	pwd
ls	List files and directories	ls -l
cd	Change directory	cd /home/user
mkdir	Create directory	mkdir project
rmdir	Remove empty directory	rmdir folder
touch	Create empty file	touch file.txt
cp	Copy files	cp file1 file2
mv	Move or rename file	mv old.txt new.txt
rm	Delete file	rm file.txt
rm -r	Delete directory	Create an empty file

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Viewing File Content

cat

Displays file contents.

bash

cat file.txt

less

View large files page by page.

bash

less file.txt

head

Shows the first lines of a file.

bash

head file.txt

Show first 20 lines:

bash

head -n 20 file.txt

tail

Shows the last lines of a file.

bash

tail file.txt

Monitor a log file:

bash

tail -f logfile.log

Command	Description	Example
cat	Display file content	cat file.txt
less	View large files	less file.txt
head	Show first lines	head file.txt
tail	Show last lines	tail file.txt
tail -f	Monitor file updates	tail -f log.txt

Search Commands

grep

Searches for text patterns inside files.

bash

grep "error" logfile.txt

Ignore case:

bash

grep -i "error" logfile.txt

Search recursively:

bash

grep -r "error" /var/log

find

Searches for files and directories.

bash

find /home -name file.txt

Search by type:

bash

find . -type d

Command	Description	Example
grep	Search text in file	grep error log.txt
find	Find files	find /home -name file.txt
locate	Quickly find files	locate file.txt
which	Find command location	Find the command location

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System Information Commands

whoami

Displays the current user.

bash

whoami

uname

Shows system information.

bash

uname -a

top

Displays running processes and system usage.

bash

top

df

Shows disk space usage.

bash

df -h

free

Displays memory usage.

bash

free -h

Command	Description	Example
whoami	Current user	whoami
uname -a	System information	uname -a
top	Monitor processes	top
htop	Advanced process monitor	htop
df -h	Disk usage	df -h
du -sh	Folder size	du -sh folder
free -h	Memory usage	free -h

Permission Commands

chmod

Changes file permissions.

bash

chmod 755 script.sh

chown

Changes file ownership.

bash

chown user:user file.txt

Also read about Explain File Permissions In Linux & Ownership With Examples

Command	Description	Example
chmod	Change permissions	chmod 755 file.sh
chown	Change file owner	chown user:user file.txt
chgrp	Change group ownership	chgrp dev file.tx

Networking Commands

ping

Checks network connectivity.

bash

ping google.com

curl

Transfers data from URLs.

bash

curl https://example.com

Command	Description	Example
ping	Test network connectivity	ping google.com
curl	Transfer data from URL	curl https://example.com
wget	Download files	wget file_url
ifconfig	Network configuration	ifconfig
ip a	Show IP address	ip a

Bash Help Commands

man

Displays manual pages.

bash

man ls

history

Shows previously executed commands.

bash

history

Command	Description
man command	Manual page
command --help	Command help
history	Show command history

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Process Management

Bring the job to the foreground	Description	Example
ps	View running processes	ps aux
kill	Stop process by PID	kill 1234
kill -9	Force stop process	kill -9 1234
bg	Run job in background	bg
fg	Bring job to foreground	fg

Package Management (Common in Linux)

Command	Description	Example
apt update	Update package list	sudo apt update
apt install	Install package	sudo apt install nginx
yum install	Install package (RHEL/CentOS)	sudo yum install httpd
dnf install	Install package (Fedora)	sudo dnf install git

Bash Shortcuts

Move the cursor to the end	Action
Ctrl + C	Stop current command
Ctrl + Z	Pause process
Ctrl + L	Clear terminal
Ctrl + A	Move cursor to beginning
Ctrl + E	Move cursor to end
Ctrl + R	Search command history
Tab	Stop the current command

Bash vs Shell

A Shell is a general interface that allows users to interact with the operating system using commands. Bash is one specific type of shell widely used in Linux systems.

Feature	Shell	Bash
Definition	A shell is a command-line interpreter that allows users to communicate with the operating system.	Bash is a specific type of shell and one of the most popular shells used in Linux.
Full Form	Shell does not have a specific full form.	Bash stands for Bourne Again Shell.
Concept	It is a general term for command interpreters.	It is a specific implementation of a shell.
Availability	Many types of shells exist.	Bash is one of the available shells.
Examples	sh, csh, ksh, zsh	Bash itself is based on the Bourne Shell.
Features	Basic command execution and scripting.	Advanced features like command history, tab completion, and improved scripting.
Default in Linux	Depends on the distribution.	Bash is the default shell in most Linux distributions.
Script Compatibility	Basic shell scripting.	Supports both Bash scripts and many sh scripts.
Customization	Limited depending on shell type.	Highly customizable with aliases, functions, and configuration files.
Ease of Use	Varies depending on the shell.	Easier for beginners due to many built-in features.

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