Linux Command Line Tips
Updated by Edward Angert Written by Edward Angert
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These are just a few of the many commands and tricks available in the Linux terminal. Visit our guide for a deeper introduction to Linux concepts.
Basic Linux Terminal Things to Know
- Scroll through previous commands with the Up arrow on your keyboard. Press Enter to send the command.
- Stop the current process and get back to the prompt: CTRL+C
- Use the TAB key to autocomplete commands and file paths
Easy Ways to Fix or Undo Text in the Terminal
- Jump left one word: ESC+B
- Jump right one word: ESC+F
- Jump to the beginning of the line: CTRL+A
- Jump to the end of the line: CTRL+E
- Delete the previous word: CTRL+W
- Clear the entire line: CTRL+U
Quickly Find and Replace within the Last-Entered Command
This is especially useful for both fixing typos and re-running system commands.
In the following example, we correct the typo in the first line using the command in the second:
sudo apt update && sudp apt upgrade
^sudp^sudo
Use it to change the action in a system command:
sudo systemctl stop nginx.service
^stop^start
Redo the Previous Command with Sudo
sudo !!
Exit Vi(m)
Found your way into the Vi(m) editor?
- To exit without saving: ESC then :q!
- Save and exit: ESC then :wq
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This guide is published under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license.