Linux is the backbone of modern software development. From cloud servers and CI/CD pipelines to containers and embedded systems, Linux is everywhere.
If you are a developer, mastering Linux commands is not optional—it is a productivity multiplier.
This article covers 20 essential Linux commands every developer should know, with clear explanations and real-world use cases.
1. ls – List Directory Contents
Displays files and directories.
ls
ls -l
ls -la
Why it matters:
You constantly navigate project folders, logs, and configuration directories.
2. cd – Change Directory
Move between directories.
cd /var/www
cd ..
cd ~
Why it matters:
Navigation speed directly impacts workflow efficiency.
3. pwd – Print Working Directory
Shows your current directory.
pwd
Why it matters:
Prevents mistakes when running destructive commands in the wrong directory.
4. mkdir – Create Directories
Create one or multiple directories.
mkdir project
mkdir -p src/components
Why it matters:
Project scaffolding and clean structure.
5. rm – Remove Files and Directories
Delete files or folders.
rm file.txt
rm -r folder
rm -rf folder
Why it matters:
Used often, but dangerous. Always double-check.
6. cp – Copy Files and Directories
cp file1 file2
cp -r src backup
Why it matters:
Used in builds, backups, and deployments.
7. mv – Move or Rename Files
mv old.txt new.txt
mv file.txt /tmp
Why it matters:
Renaming and restructuring projects.
8. cat – View File Content
Displays file content.
cat file.txt
Why it matters:
Quick inspection of configs, logs, and scripts.
9. less – Read Large Files Safely
less logfile.log
Why it matters:
Handles large files without freezing your terminal.
10. grep – Search Text
Search for patterns inside files.
grep "error" app.log
grep -R "TODO" .
Why it matters:
Debugging, code reviews, and log analysis.
11. find – Locate Files
Search files by name, type, or size.
find . -name "*.js"
find /var -type f -size +100M
Why it matters:
Finding lost files and cleaning disk space.
12. chmod – Change Permissions
chmod +x script.sh
chmod 644 config.txt
Why it matters:
Critical for scripts, deployments, and security.
13. chown – Change File Owner
chown user:user file.txt
Why it matters:
Essential when working with servers and Docker volumes.
14. ps – View Running Processes
ps aux
Why it matters:
Identify stuck or resource-heavy processes.
15. top – Monitor System Resources
top
Why it matters:
Live CPU, memory, and process monitoring.
16. kill – Stop Processes
kill PID
kill -9 PID
Why it matters:
Terminate frozen or misbehaving applications.
17. df – Disk Space Usage
df -h
Why it matters:
Prevent production outages due to full disks.
18. du – Directory Size
du -sh *
Why it matters:
Find out what is consuming disk space.
19. tar – Archive Files
tar -czvf project.tar.gz project/
tar -xzvf project.tar.gz
Why it matters:
Backups, deployments, and file transfers.
Final Thoughts
You do not need to memorize every Linux command—but these 20 commands form the foundation of daily development work.
If you can confidently use them, you will:
- Work faster
- Debug more effectively
- Feel comfortable on any Linux server
- Level up as a professional developer
Master the terminal, and the terminal will work for you.
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