The complete beginner guide to the terminal/command prompt

The terminal (on Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt (on Windows) is a powerful tool that allows you to interact with your computer using text commands instead of clicking through a graphic interface. While it may seem daunting at first, mastering basic terminal commands can help you:

• Navigate through files and folders more effectively
• Complete tasks that are not possible through the ordinary interface
• Automate repeated tasks
• Get a deeper understanding of how your computer works

This guide introduces you to the important commands and concepts to get started, no matter what operating system you are using.

Get started well

Opens the terminal

On windows:

• Press Win + R, type CMD, and press ENTER
• Or search for “Command Prompt” in the start menu

On Mac:

• Press Command + Space to open Ramplys, Write “Terminal” and press ENTER
• Or find terminal in applications → utilities → Terminal

At Linux:

• Press CTRL + ALT + T (on most distributions)
• Or search for “Terminal” in your application menu

Understand the prompt

Once you open the terminal you see a prompt that looks like this:

• Windows: C: \ users \ yourusername>
• Mac/Linux: Username@Computer: ~ $

This tells you:

• Your current location in the file system
• Where are you going to write your commands
• On Mac/Linux, ~ the symbol represents your home catalog

Basic navigation commands

Viewing your current location

Windows: CD

Mac/Linux: PWD (Print Working Directory)

Example:

List of files and folders

Windows: Dir

Mac/Linux: Ls

Example:

Options:

• LS -L -L list with detailed information (file size, date modified, permissions)
• LS -A -I -Vis hidden files (files that start with a dot)
• ls -la -combining both options

Changing folders

All platforms: CD Directoryname

Examples:

Creating folders

All platforms: MKDIR DIRECTORYNAME

Example:

Creating files

Windows: Type of Zero> File Name.txt

Mac/Linux: Touch Filename.txt

Example:

Working with files

Viewing file content

Windows: Type of file name.txt

Mac/Linux: Cat filname.txt

For larger files:

Windows: More filename.txt

Mac/Linux: minor filename.txt (use q to stop)

Copying files

Windows: Copy source destination

Mac/Linux: CP source destination

Example:

Moving/renaming files

Windows: Move source destination

Mac/Linux: MV source destination

Examples:

Deleting files and folders

Windows:

Mac/Linux:

⚠ WARNING: Be very careful with Delete Commands, especially RM -R! There is no “trash” or “trash” when using the terminal – erases are permanent.

Useful tip

Command history

• Press up arrow up to cycle through previously used commands
• On Mac/Linux, Type History to see a list of recent commands

The completion of the loss

• Begin writing a file or catalog name, then press TAB
• The terminal will try to complete it for you
• If there are more options, press Tab twice to see all options

Get help

Windows: Help command or command /?

Mac/Linux: Male Command (Manual Pages, Press Q to exit)

Examples:

Clear the screen

Windows: CLS

Mac/Linux: Ready or Ctrl+L.

Power User Commands

Searching for files

Windows: DIR /S FILE NAME

Mac/Linux: Find. -Name file name

Search within files

Windows: Findstr “Text” file name

Mac/Linux: GREP “TEXT” FILE NAME

Chaining commands

All platforms: Use && to run commands in order

Example:

Redirecting output

All platforms: Use> to send output to a file

Example:

Next step

When you become more comfortable with these basic commands, you might be able to explore:

1. Command Lineage Equal Actors such as Nano, VIM or Emacs
2. Writing simple shell scripts to automate tasks
3. Package leaders such as APT (Linux), Homebrew (Mac) or Chocolatey (Windows)
4. Environmental variables and how to set them
5. SSH to connect to external computers

Common errors and troubleshooting

1. Command not found: Check spelling or make sure the command is available on your system
2. Authorization denied: You may need administrator/root privileges
   • Windows: Run Command Prompt as Administrator
   • Mac/Linux: Use sudo before commands that need elevated privileges
3. No such file or library: Double -control path and file names
4. Operation not allowed: Similar to permission that is denied, you may need special permits

Tasks	Windows	Mac/Linux
Current location	CD	Pwd
List of files	Dir	Ls
Change Library	CD Dir	CD Dir
Create Library	Mkdir Dir	Mkdir Dir
Create file	Write zero> file	Touch file
Copy file	Copy source destination	CP source destination
Move/rename	Move source destination	MV source destination
Delete file	Share File	RM file
Delete Library	RMDIR /S Dir	RM -R Dir
Clear screen	CLS	clear
Get help	Help command	Male Command

Conclusion

In this tutorial we have covered everything that beginners need to know about using the terminal. We explored how we open the terminal across different operating systems, navigate file systems, create and manage files and folders and use important commands. We also learned useful shortcuts, power users and troubleshooting tips. With these basic skills, you can now safely use the command line as a powerful tool in your computer journey.

Remember, the terminal is a powerful tool that rewards the practice and experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new commands, but always be careful with commands that change or delete files.

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