(58 votes, average: 4.53 out of 5)Here are a few common Terminal Commands I found to be useful for OSX/Unix newcomers like myself.
Introduction:
There are times that you’ll need to use the Terminal Command-Line Interface (CLI), especially when troubleshooting.
Here are a few common Terminal Commands I found to be useful for OS X/Unix newcomers like myself.
Preparation:
Before we start, open the application called TextEdit in the Applications directory. Change the format to “Make Plain Text” from the “Format” menu (note that this tutorial works with the “Make Rich Text” format as well with a “.rtf” extension; however, I prefer the “.txt” extension because it is the universal cross platform extension for plain text files). Then save the file with the name “test.txt” to your Desktop
Now open the Terminal application in the Applications directory. The start up screen will look something like this:
Last login: Sun Jan 5 12:51:58 on ttyp1
Welcome to Darwin!
[Alexander-Mclean-IIIs-Computer:~] alex%
Unlike the Mac OS X’s nice Aqua interface, the Terminal will display the file data and directory structure in a raw black and white format. The Terminal usually starts off in your home directory. (user%) So let’s get started with a command-line to change the directory to the “Desktop” directory.
Commands:
1) cd
Cd is short for change directory. This will change the current directory to the directory specified. To access the “Desktop” directory, type:
cd Desktop
Hit return to execute the command (do this every time to execute each command line).
To return to your home directory, type:
cd ~
But for now let’s keep the path to the “Desktop” (cd Desktop).
2) mkdir
Mkdir is short for make directory (make folder). To make a test directory, type:
mkdir test
3) pwd
Pwd displays the path of the current directory. Type:
pwd
will display something like this:
/Users/alex/Desktop
4) cp
Cp is short for copy. To copy the “test.txt” file inside of the “test” directory on the “Desktop”, type:
cp /Users/alex/Desktop/test.txt test/test2.txt
This placed a copy of the “test.txt” file inside the “test” directory and named it “test2.txt”.
Notice after the command “cp” we type “pathdir+old name” space, than “dir+new name”.
Change (cd) directory to the “test” directory (see above for help).
5) ls
Ls is short for list. Ls will list files in a directory. Type:
ls
will output.
test2.txt
6) mv
Mv will change the name of a file. From the test directory type:
mv test2.txt test3.txt
Notice after the command “mv” we type “old name” space, than “new name”. Type “ls” to check if it worked.
7) rm
Rm is short for remove (delete). To remove the “test3.txt” file inside the current directory type:
rm test3.txt
Or remove a folder with or without items in side
sudo rm -rf /path/folder_name
man
Man is short for manual. For example to display the manual for “rm” type:
man rm
This will display information about the “rm” command. You can type any command after “man” to access additional information on that topic.
9) “Q” key
Q is short for quit. To escape the manual screen, hit the “Q” key:
If you have any questions, please search or post a question to the forum.
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Great and Thank you.
Very helpful for new mac user Thank you
cannot find continue, may i kindly ask to write more?
a
vv – okey, it’s fine, i found it…
thank you for giving me required information
How does one display the contents of a file (ie text) within Terminal? I thought it was ty (ie, type) but this is wrong.
cat filename | more
The pipe makes the output stop after each screenful.
Thanks for the basics, bookmarking this page until i’ve memorised them.
Hi. I’m not an Mac user, my system is Linux, but the terminal commands are almost the same. A friend have a problem with an apparently wrong installed program and I need to know how to get rid of it because he can’t uninstall it. Maybe from the terminal I can do it, but I need to know exactly how before a try. Thanks for any advice on the matter.
Hello,
I like your tutorial but I am having a hard time with a remote server.
I have a file (it is html – should it be txt?) on my desktop an I need it to go to a remote server for streaming.
usr/local/MediaServer/content/rtmp.stream (is the path of the folder)
Thank you,
Michelle
thanks for this…………
Thank you SO much!!!
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I think it’s pretty irresponsible (and unnecessary) to mention the sudo command on a page of ‘basic’ terminal commands. Newbies looking for their first help with the terminal shouldn’t be told about sudo.
A.
very useful for new user like me
I’m just new to Mac and to the Terminal app, and this has helped nicely, thank you.
Thanks so much! Great beginning resource. Very clear.
no offense or anything but DO NOT use a sudo command to remove empty folders… use rmdir instead because it’s a lot less risky.
Govi
when i open terminal, it’s totally blank
HELP!!
P.S. IT ALSO WONT DO ANYTHING WHEN I HIT ENTER!
HELP!!!!!!!!!
Likewise… I open terminal.. tyoe in sudo -s, get password prompt and end of story! cannot type and when I quit terminal and restart its totally blank… as is XTerm!
Hi, what is the terminal help equivalent of –help in mac terminal?
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kaylangan ganito agad di’bah pweding ganun muna???
☺
kay langan ganito agad??
di’bah pweding ganun muna??