An A-Z Index of the Bash command line for Linux.
adduser -----------------:Add a user to the systemaddgroup :Add a group to the system
alias --------------------: Create an alias •
apropos------------------: Search Help manual pages (man -k)
apt-get ------------------: Search for and install software packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
aptitude ----------------:Search for and install software packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
aspell--------------------: Spell Checker
awk----------------------: Find and Replace text, database sort/validate/index
alias --------------------: Create an alias •
apropos------------------: Search Help manual pages (man -k)
apt-get ------------------: Search for and install software packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
aptitude ----------------:Search for and install software packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
aspell--------------------: Spell Checker
awk----------------------: Find and Replace text, database sort/validate/index
B
basename----------------------------------------------------: Strip directory and suffix from filenames
bash GNU Bourne-Again SHell
bc--------------------------------------------------------------: Arbitrary precision calculator language
bg--------------------------------------------------------------: Send to background
break---------------------------------------------------------: Exit from a loop •
builtin -------------------------------------------------------: Run a shell builtin
bzip2---------------------------------------------------------:Compress or decompress named file(s)
bc--------------------------------------------------------------: Arbitrary precision calculator language
bg--------------------------------------------------------------: Send to background
break---------------------------------------------------------: Exit from a loop •
builtin -------------------------------------------------------: Run a shell builtin
bzip2---------------------------------------------------------:Compress or decompress named file(s)
C
cal--------------------------------------------------------------: Display a calendar
case------------------------------------------------------------: Conditionally perform a command
cat--------------------------------------------------------------: Display the contents of a file
cd---------------------------------------------------------------: Change Directory
cfdisk --------------------------------------------------------:Partition table manipulator for Linux
chgrp----------------------------------------------------------: Change group ownership
chmod--------------------------------------------------------: Change access permissions
chown--------------------------------------------------------: Change file owner and group
chroot--------------------------------------------------------: Run a command with a different root directory
chkconfig --------------------------------------------------:System services (runlevel)
cksum -------------------------------------------------------:Print CRC checksum and byte counts clear Clear terminal screen
cmp -----------------------------------------------------------:Compare two files
comm---------------------------------------------------------: Compare two sorted files line by line
command---------------------------------------------------: Run a command - ignoring shell functions •
continue-----------------------------------------------------: Resume the next iteration of a loop •
cp--------------------------------------------------------------: Copy one or more files to another location
cron-----------------------------------------------------------: Daemon to execute scheduled commands
crontab------------------------------------------------------: Schedule a command to run at a later time
csplit --------------------------------------------------------:Split a file into context-determined pieces
cut-------------------------------------------------------------: Divide a file into several parts
case------------------------------------------------------------: Conditionally perform a command
cat--------------------------------------------------------------: Display the contents of a file
cd---------------------------------------------------------------: Change Directory
cfdisk --------------------------------------------------------:Partition table manipulator for Linux
chgrp----------------------------------------------------------: Change group ownership
chmod--------------------------------------------------------: Change access permissions
chown--------------------------------------------------------: Change file owner and group
chroot--------------------------------------------------------: Run a command with a different root directory
chkconfig --------------------------------------------------:System services (runlevel)
cksum -------------------------------------------------------:Print CRC checksum and byte counts clear Clear terminal screen
cmp -----------------------------------------------------------:Compare two files
comm---------------------------------------------------------: Compare two sorted files line by line
command---------------------------------------------------: Run a command - ignoring shell functions •
continue-----------------------------------------------------: Resume the next iteration of a loop •
cp--------------------------------------------------------------: Copy one or more files to another location
cron-----------------------------------------------------------: Daemon to execute scheduled commands
crontab------------------------------------------------------: Schedule a command to run at a later time
csplit --------------------------------------------------------:Split a file into context-determined pieces
cut-------------------------------------------------------------: Divide a file into several parts
D
date----------------------------------------------------------: Display or change the date & time
dc-------------------------------------------------------------: Desk Calculator
dd-------------------------------------------------------------: Convert and copy a file, write disk headers, boot records
ddrescue--------------------------------------------------: Data recovery tool
declare-----------------------------------------------------: Declare variables and give them attributes •
df-------------------------------------------------------------: Display free disk space
diff-----------------------------------------------------------: Display the differences between two files
diff3---------------------------------------------------------: Show differences among three files
dig-----------------------------------------------------------: DNS lookup
dir------------------------------------------------------------: Briefly list directory contents
dircolors--------------------------------------------------: Colour setup for `ls'
dirname---------------------------------------------------: Convert a full pathname to just a path
dirs---------------------------------------------------------: Display list of remembered directories
dmesg-----------------------------------------------------: Print kernel & driver messages
du-----------------------------------------------------------: Estimate file space usage
dc-------------------------------------------------------------: Desk Calculator
dd-------------------------------------------------------------: Convert and copy a file, write disk headers, boot records
ddrescue--------------------------------------------------: Data recovery tool
declare-----------------------------------------------------: Declare variables and give them attributes •
df-------------------------------------------------------------: Display free disk space
diff-----------------------------------------------------------: Display the differences between two files
diff3---------------------------------------------------------: Show differences among three files
dig-----------------------------------------------------------: DNS lookup
dir------------------------------------------------------------: Briefly list directory contents
dircolors--------------------------------------------------: Colour setup for `ls'
dirname---------------------------------------------------: Convert a full pathname to just a path
dirs---------------------------------------------------------: Display list of remembered directories
dmesg-----------------------------------------------------: Print kernel & driver messages
du-----------------------------------------------------------: Estimate file space usage
E
echo-------------------------------------------------------: Display message on screen •
egrep-----------------------------------------------------: Search file(s) for lines that match an extended expression
eject------------------------------------------------------: Eject removable media
enable---------------------------------------------------: Enable and disable builtin shell commands •
env ------------------------------------------------------:Environment variables ethtool Ethernet card settings
eval-------------------------------------------------------: Evaluate several commands/arguments
exec -----------------------------------------------------:Execute a command
exit-------------------------------------------------------: Exit the shell
expect--------------------------------------------------: Automate arbitrary applications accessed over a terminal
expand ------------------------------------------------:Convert tabs to spaces
export---------------------------------------------------: Set an environment variable
expr------------------------------------------------------: Evaluate expressions
egrep-----------------------------------------------------: Search file(s) for lines that match an extended expression
eject------------------------------------------------------: Eject removable media
enable---------------------------------------------------: Enable and disable builtin shell commands •
env ------------------------------------------------------:Environment variables ethtool Ethernet card settings
eval-------------------------------------------------------: Evaluate several commands/arguments
exec -----------------------------------------------------:Execute a command
exit-------------------------------------------------------: Exit the shell
expect--------------------------------------------------: Automate arbitrary applications accessed over a terminal
expand ------------------------------------------------:Convert tabs to spaces
export---------------------------------------------------: Set an environment variable
expr------------------------------------------------------: Evaluate expressions
F
false----------------------------------------------------: Do nothing, unsuccessfully
fdformat----------------------------------------------: Low-level format a floppy disk
fdisk ---------------------------------------------------:Partition table manipulator for Linux
fg--------------------------------------------------------: Send job to foreground
fgrep --------------------------------------------------:Search file(s) for lines that match a fixed string file Determine file type
find-----------------------------------------------------: Search for files that meet a desired criteria
fmt------------------------------------------------------: Reformat paragraph text
fold ----------------------------------------------------:Wrap text to fit a specified width.
for-------------------------------------------------------: Expand words, and execute commands format Format disks or tapes free Display memory usage
fsck-----------------------------------------------------: File system consistency check and repair ftp File Transfer Protocol
function-----------------------------------------------: Define Function Macros
fuser----------------------------------------------------: Identify/kill the process that is accessing a file
fdformat----------------------------------------------: Low-level format a floppy disk
fdisk ---------------------------------------------------:Partition table manipulator for Linux
fg--------------------------------------------------------: Send job to foreground
fgrep --------------------------------------------------:Search file(s) for lines that match a fixed string file Determine file type
find-----------------------------------------------------: Search for files that meet a desired criteria
fmt------------------------------------------------------: Reformat paragraph text
fold ----------------------------------------------------:Wrap text to fit a specified width.
for-------------------------------------------------------: Expand words, and execute commands format Format disks or tapes free Display memory usage
fsck-----------------------------------------------------: File system consistency check and repair ftp File Transfer Protocol
function-----------------------------------------------: Define Function Macros
fuser----------------------------------------------------: Identify/kill the process that is accessing a file
G
gawk---------------------------------------------------: Find and Replace text within file(s)
getopts ----------------------------------------------: Parse positional parameters
grep ---------------------------------------------------: Search file(s) for lines that match a given pattern
groups------------------------------------------------: Print group names a user is in
gzip----------------------------------------------------: Compress or decompress named file(s)
getopts ----------------------------------------------: Parse positional parameters
grep ---------------------------------------------------: Search file(s) for lines that match a given pattern
groups------------------------------------------------: Print group names a user is in
gzip----------------------------------------------------: Compress or decompress named file(s)
H
hash--------------------------------------------------: Remember the full pathname of a name argument
head -------------------------------------------------: Output the first part of file(s) help Display help for a built-in command •
history----------------------------------------------: Command History
hostname -----------------------------------------:Print or set system name
head -------------------------------------------------: Output the first part of file(s) help Display help for a built-in command •
history----------------------------------------------: Command History
hostname -----------------------------------------:Print or set system name
L
iconv------------------------------------------------: Convert the character set of a file
id ----------------------------------------------------: Print user and group id's
if------------------------------------------------------: Conditionally perform a command
ifconfig--------------------------------------------: Configure a network interface
ifdown---------------------------------------------: Stop a network interface
ifup--------------------------------------------------: Start a network interface up
import----------------------------------------------: Capture an X server screen and save the image to file
install-----------------------------------------------: Copy files and set attributes
id ----------------------------------------------------: Print user and group id's
if------------------------------------------------------: Conditionally perform a command
ifconfig--------------------------------------------: Configure a network interface
ifdown---------------------------------------------: Stop a network interface
ifup--------------------------------------------------: Start a network interface up
import----------------------------------------------: Capture an X server screen and save the image to file
install-----------------------------------------------: Copy files and set attributes
J
jobs------------------------------------------------: List active jobs •
join-------------------------------------------------: Join lines on a common field
join-------------------------------------------------: Join lines on a common field
K
kill--------------------------------------------------: Stop a process from running
killall --------------------------------------------:Kill processes by name
killall --------------------------------------------:Kill processes by name
L
less ---------------------------------------------:Display output one screen at a time
let-------------------------------------------------: Perform arithmetic on shell variables •
ln ------------------------------------------------: Make links between files
local---------------------------------------------: Create variables •
locate-------------------------------------------: Find files
logname---------------------------------------: Print current login name
logout-------------------------------------------: Exit a login shell •
look----------------------------------------------: Display lines beginning with a given string
lpc------------------------------------------------:Line printer control program
lpr-------------------------------------------------: Off line print lprint Print a file lprintd Abort a print job lprintq List the print queue
lprm----------------------------------------------:Remove jobs from the print queue
ls---------------------------------------------------: List information about file(s)
lsof------------------------------------------------: List open files
let-------------------------------------------------: Perform arithmetic on shell variables •
ln ------------------------------------------------: Make links between files
local---------------------------------------------: Create variables •
locate-------------------------------------------: Find files
logname---------------------------------------: Print current login name
logout-------------------------------------------: Exit a login shell •
look----------------------------------------------: Display lines beginning with a given string
lpc------------------------------------------------:Line printer control program
lpr-------------------------------------------------: Off line print lprint Print a file lprintd Abort a print job lprintq List the print queue
lprm----------------------------------------------:Remove jobs from the print queue
ls---------------------------------------------------: List information about file(s)
lsof------------------------------------------------: List open files
M
make---------------------------------------------: Recompile a group of programs
man ---------------------------------------------:Help manual
mkdir--------------------------------------------: Create new folder(s)
mkfifo-------------------------------------------: Make FIFOs (named pipes) mkisofs Create an hybrid ISO9660/JOLIET/HFS filesystem
mknod------------------------------------------: Make block or character special files
more---------------------------------------------: Display output one screen at a time
mount-------------------------------------------: Mount a file system
mtools -----------------------------------------:Manipulate MS-DOS files
mtr------------------------------------------------: Network diagnostics (traceroute/ping)
mv------------------------------------------------: Move or rename files or directories
mmv---------------------------------------------: Mass Move and rename (files)
man ---------------------------------------------:Help manual
mkdir--------------------------------------------: Create new folder(s)
mkfifo-------------------------------------------: Make FIFOs (named pipes) mkisofs Create an hybrid ISO9660/JOLIET/HFS filesystem
mknod------------------------------------------: Make block or character special files
more---------------------------------------------: Display output one screen at a time
mount-------------------------------------------: Mount a file system
mtools -----------------------------------------:Manipulate MS-DOS files
mtr------------------------------------------------: Network diagnostics (traceroute/ping)
mv------------------------------------------------: Move or rename files or directories
mmv---------------------------------------------: Mass Move and rename (files)
N
netstat------------------------------------------: Networking information
nice---------------------------------------------: Set the priority of a comnetstat Networking information
nice---------------------------------------------: Set the priority of a command or job
nl-------------------------------------------------: Number lines and write files
nohup-------------------------------------------: Run a command immune to hangups
notify-send------------------------------------: Send desktop notifications
nslookup---------------------------------------:Query Internet name servers interactively mand or job
nice---------------------------------------------: Set the priority of a comnetstat Networking information
nice---------------------------------------------: Set the priority of a command or job
nl-------------------------------------------------: Number lines and write files
nohup-------------------------------------------: Run a command immune to hangups
notify-send------------------------------------: Send desktop notifications
nslookup---------------------------------------:Query Internet name servers interactively mand or job
O
open--------------------------------------------: Open a file in its default application
op-----------------------------------------------: Operator access
op-----------------------------------------------: Operator access
P
passwd --------------------------------------:Modify a user password
paste-------------------------------------------:Merge lines of files pathchk Check file name portability
ping -------------------------------------------:Test a network connection
pkill--------------------------------------------: Stop processes from running
popd-------------------------------------------: Restore the previous value of the current directory
pr------------------------------------------------: Prepare files for printing printcap Printer capability database printenv Print environment variables
printf------------------------------------------: Format and print data •
ps-----------------------------------------------: Process status
pushd ----------------------------------------:Save and then change the current directory
pwd -------------------------------------------:Print Working Directory
paste-------------------------------------------:Merge lines of files pathchk Check file name portability
ping -------------------------------------------:Test a network connection
pkill--------------------------------------------: Stop processes from running
popd-------------------------------------------: Restore the previous value of the current directory
pr------------------------------------------------: Prepare files for printing printcap Printer capability database printenv Print environment variables
printf------------------------------------------: Format and print data •
ps-----------------------------------------------: Process status
pushd ----------------------------------------:Save and then change the current directory
pwd -------------------------------------------:Print Working Directory
Q
quota-----------------------------------------: Display disk usage and limits
quotacheck-------------------------------: Scan a file system for disk usage
quotactl------------------------------------: Set disk quotas
quotacheck-------------------------------: Scan a file system for disk usage
quotactl------------------------------------: Set disk quotas
R
ram -----------------------------------------: ram disk device
rcp-------------------------------------------: Copy files between two machines
read ----------------------------------------:Read a line from standard input •
readarray ----------------------------------:Read from stdin into an array variable •
readonly------------------------------------: Mark variables/functions as readonly reboot Reboot the system
rename-------------------------------------: Rename files renice Alter priority of running processes remsync Synchronize remote files via email
return --------------------------------------:Exit a shell function
rev--------------------------------------------: Reverse lines of a file
rm -------------------------------------------:Remove files
rmdir----------------------------------------: Remove folder(s)
rsync----------------------------------------: Remote file copy (Synchronize file trees)
rcp-------------------------------------------: Copy files between two machines
read ----------------------------------------:Read a line from standard input •
readarray ----------------------------------:Read from stdin into an array variable •
readonly------------------------------------: Mark variables/functions as readonly reboot Reboot the system
rename-------------------------------------: Rename files renice Alter priority of running processes remsync Synchronize remote files via email
return --------------------------------------:Exit a shell function
rev--------------------------------------------: Reverse lines of a file
rm -------------------------------------------:Remove files
rmdir----------------------------------------: Remove folder(s)
rsync----------------------------------------: Remote file copy (Synchronize file trees)
S
screen -------------------------------------:Multiplex terminal, run remote shells via ssh
scp-------------------------------------------: Secure copy (remote file copy)
sdiff-----------------------------------------: Merge two files interactively
sed------------------------------------------: Stream Editor
select---------------------------------------: Accept keyboard input
seq -----------------------------------------:Print numeric sequences
set-------------------------------------------: Manipulate shell variables and functions sftp Secure File Transfer Program
shift-----------------------------------------: Shift positional parameters
shopt---------------------------------------: Shell Options
shutdown --------------------------------: Shutdown or restart linux
sleep ---------------------------------------: Delay for a specified time
slocate -------------------------------------:Find files
sort------------------------------------------: Sort text files
source-------------------------------------: Run commands from a file `.'
split-----------------------------------------: Split a file into fixed-size pieces
ssh------------------------------------------: Secure Shell client (remote login program) strace Trace system calls and signals
su ------------------------------------------: Substitute user identity
sudo ---------------------------------------: Execute a command as another user
sum ---------------------------------------:Print a checksum for a file
suspend----------------------------------: Suspend execution of this shell •
symlink-----------------------------------: Make a new name for a file
sync----------------------------------------: Synchronize data on disk with memory
scp-------------------------------------------: Secure copy (remote file copy)
sdiff-----------------------------------------: Merge two files interactively
sed------------------------------------------: Stream Editor
select---------------------------------------: Accept keyboard input
seq -----------------------------------------:Print numeric sequences
set-------------------------------------------: Manipulate shell variables and functions sftp Secure File Transfer Program
shift-----------------------------------------: Shift positional parameters
shopt---------------------------------------: Shell Options
shutdown --------------------------------: Shutdown or restart linux
sleep ---------------------------------------: Delay for a specified time
slocate -------------------------------------:Find files
sort------------------------------------------: Sort text files
source-------------------------------------: Run commands from a file `.'
split-----------------------------------------: Split a file into fixed-size pieces
ssh------------------------------------------: Secure Shell client (remote login program) strace Trace system calls and signals
su ------------------------------------------: Substitute user identity
sudo ---------------------------------------: Execute a command as another user
sum ---------------------------------------:Print a checksum for a file
suspend----------------------------------: Suspend execution of this shell •
symlink-----------------------------------: Make a new name for a file
sync----------------------------------------: Synchronize data on disk with memory
T
tail------------------------------------------: Output the last part of files
tar-------------------------------------------: Tape ARchiver
tee-------------------------------------------: Redirect output to multiple files
test------------------------------------------: Evaluate a conditional expression
time-----------------------------------------: Measure Program running time
times---------------------------------------: User and system times
touch---------------------------------------: Change file timestamps
top ------------------------------------------: List processes running on the system
traceroute---------------------------------: Trace Route to Host trap Run a command when a signal is set(bourne)
tr----------------------------------------------: Translate, squeeze, and/or delete characters
true -----------------------------------------: Do nothing, successfully
tsort-----------------------------------------: Topological sort
tty--------------------------------------------: Print filename of terminal on stdin
type-----------------------------------------: Describe a command •
tar-------------------------------------------: Tape ARchiver
tee-------------------------------------------: Redirect output to multiple files
test------------------------------------------: Evaluate a conditional expression
time-----------------------------------------: Measure Program running time
times---------------------------------------: User and system times
touch---------------------------------------: Change file timestamps
top ------------------------------------------: List processes running on the system
traceroute---------------------------------: Trace Route to Host trap Run a command when a signal is set(bourne)
tr----------------------------------------------: Translate, squeeze, and/or delete characters
true -----------------------------------------: Do nothing, successfully
tsort-----------------------------------------: Topological sort
tty--------------------------------------------: Print filename of terminal on stdin
type-----------------------------------------: Describe a command •
U
ulimit--------------------------------------: Limit user resources •
umask------------------------------------: Users file creation mask umount Unmount a device
unalias-----------------------------------: Remove an alias •
uname------------------------------------: Print system information
unexpand--------------------------------: Convert spaces to tabs
uniq ---------------------------------------: Uniquify files
units----------------------------------------: Convert units from one scale to another
unset---------------------------------------: Remove variable or function names
unshar-------------------------------------: Unpack shell archive scripts
until-----------------------------------------: Execute commands (until error)
useradd------------------------------------: Create new user account
usermod----------------------------------: Modify user account
users---------------------------------------: List users currently logged in
uuencode---------------------------------: Encode a binary file
uudecode---------------------------------: Decode a file created by uuencode
umask------------------------------------: Users file creation mask umount Unmount a device
unalias-----------------------------------: Remove an alias •
uname------------------------------------: Print system information
unexpand--------------------------------: Convert spaces to tabs
uniq ---------------------------------------: Uniquify files
units----------------------------------------: Convert units from one scale to another
unset---------------------------------------: Remove variable or function names
unshar-------------------------------------: Unpack shell archive scripts
until-----------------------------------------: Execute commands (until error)
useradd------------------------------------: Create new user account
usermod----------------------------------: Modify user account
users---------------------------------------: List users currently logged in
uuencode---------------------------------: Encode a binary file
uudecode---------------------------------: Decode a file created by uuencode
V
v --------------------------------------------: Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
vdir-----------------------------------------: Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
vi-------------------------------------------: Text Editor
vmstat------------------------------------: Report virtual memory statistics
vdir-----------------------------------------: Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
vi-------------------------------------------: Text Editor
vmstat------------------------------------: Report virtual memory statistics
W
watch------------------------------------: Execute/display a program periodically
wc-----------------------------------------: Print byte, word, and line counts
whereis---------------------------------: Search the user's $path, man pages and source files for a program
which------------------------------------: Search the user's $path for a program file
while-------------------------------------: Execute commands
who --------------------------------------: Print all usernames currently logged in
whoami---------------------------------: Print the current user id and name (`id -un')
Wget-------------------------------------: Retrieve web pages or files via HTTP, HTTPS or FTP
write--------------------------------------: Send a message to another user
wc-----------------------------------------: Print byte, word, and line counts
whereis---------------------------------: Search the user's $path, man pages and source files for a program
which------------------------------------: Search the user's $path for a program file
while-------------------------------------: Execute commands
who --------------------------------------: Print all usernames currently logged in
whoami---------------------------------: Print the current user id and name (`id -un')
Wget-------------------------------------: Retrieve web pages or files via HTTP, HTTPS or FTP
write--------------------------------------: Send a message to another user
X
xargs-------------------------------------: Execute utility, passing constructed argument list(s)
xdg-open -----------------------------: Open a file or URL in the user's preferred application.
yes----------------------------------------: Print a string until interrupted . Run a command script in the current shell
### --------------------------------------: Comment / Remark
xdg-open -----------------------------: Open a file or URL in the user's preferred application.
yes----------------------------------------: Print a string until interrupted . Run a command script in the current shell
### --------------------------------------: Comment / Remark