When I first started exploring Linux, one of the things that confused me most was the file system layout. Unlike Windows, where everything is neatly tucked under C:\, Linux starts with a single root directory /, and from there, everything branches out into different subfolders with very specific purposes.
At first glance, it can feel overwhelming — why are there so many folders, and what do they all mean? But once you understand the logic behind the structure, navigating Linux becomes a lot more intuitive.
Let’s take a quick tour of the key directories in the Linux file system 👇
- /bin
Essential binaries needed to boot and run basic commands.
Eg: ls, cp, cat
- /sbin
System binaries and admin tools, mainly for the root user.
Eg: ip, mount, fdisk
- /lib
Shared libraries and kernel modules required by /bin and /sbin.
- /etc
Configuration files for the system and applications.
Eg: passwd, hosts
- /home
Personal workspace for each user — your familiar "home directory."
- /dev
Device files that act as an interface to hardware.
Eg: sda, sdb
- /root
Home directory for the root (superuser).
- /var
Variable files like logs, caches, and backups.
- /usr
User-installed applications, binaries, and source code.
- /tmp
Temporary files (wiped after reboot, with sticky bit).
- /boot
Bootloader files required to start the operating system.
- /proc
Virtual file system exposing kernel and process info.
- /sys
Virtual file system for interacting with devices and drivers.
- /run
Runtime process data since the last reboot.
- /mnt
Temporary mount point for sysadmins.
- /media
Mount point for removable devices like USBs, DVDs, CDs.
As I’m learning Linux, I’m curious:
👉 Which of these directories do you use or explore the most, and why?
I’d love to hear your experiences and tips — feel free to share them in the comments! 🙌
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