The Complete Beginner’s Guide to 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 graphical interface. While it might seem intimidating at first, mastering basic terminal commands can help you:

• Navigate through files and folders more efficiently
• Perform tasks that aren’t possible through the regular interface
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Gain a deeper understanding of how your computer works

This guide will introduce you to the essential commands and concepts to get you started, regardless of which operating system you use.

Getting Started

Opening 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 Spotlight, type “Terminal”, and press Enter
• Or find Terminal in Applications → Utilities → Terminal

On Linux:

• Press Ctrl + Alt + T (on most distributions)
• Or search for “Terminal” in your applications menu

Understanding the Prompt

When you first open the terminal, you’ll see a prompt that looks something like this:

• Windows: C:\Users\YourUsername>
• Mac/Linux: username@computer:~$

This tells you:

• Your current location in the file system
• Where to type your commands
• On Mac/Linux, the ~ symbol represents your home directory

Basic Navigation Commands

Viewing Your Current Location

Windows: cd 

Mac/Linux: pwd (Print Working Directory)

Example:

Listing Files and Directories

Windows: dir 

Mac/Linux: ls

Example:

Options:

• ls -l – List with detailed information (file size, date modified, permissions)
• ls -a – Show hidden files (files that start with a dot)
• ls -la – Combine both options

Changing Directories

All platforms: cd DirectoryName

Examples:

Creating Directories

All platforms: mkdir DirectoryName

Example:

Creating Files

Windows: type nul > filename.txt 

Mac/Linux: touch filename.txt

Example:

Working with Files

Viewing File Contents

Windows: type filename.txt 

Mac/Linux: cat filename.txt

For larger files: 

Windows: more filename.txt 

Mac/Linux: less filename.txt (use q to quit)

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 Directories

Windows:

Mac/Linux:

⚠️ Warning: Be very careful with delete commands, especially rm -r! There is no “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” when using the terminal – deletions are permanent.

Helpful Tips

Command History

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

Tab Completion

• Start typing a file or directory name, then press Tab
• The terminal will attempt to complete it for you
• If there are multiple options, press Tab twice to see all possibilities

Getting Help

Windows: help command or command /? 

Mac/Linux: man command (manual pages, press q to exit)

Examples:

Clearing the Screen

Windows: cls 

Mac/Linux: clear or Ctrl+L

Power User Commands

Searching for Files

Windows: dir /s filename 

Mac/Linux: find . -name filename

Searching Within Files

Windows: findstr “text” filename 

Mac/Linux: grep “text” filename

Chaining Commands

All platforms: Use && to run commands in sequence

Example:

Redirecting Output

All platforms: Use > to send output to a file

Example:

Next Steps

As you become more comfortable with these basic commands, you might want to explore:

1. Command line text editors like Nano, Vim, or Emacs
2. Writing simple shell scripts to automate tasks
3. Package managers like apt (Linux), Homebrew (Mac), or Chocolatey (Windows)
4. Environment variables and how to set them
5. SSH to connect to remote computers

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

1. Command not found: Check spelling or ensure the command is available on your system
2. Permission 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 directory: Double-check path and file names
4. Operation not permitted: Similar to permission denied, you might need special permissions

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have covered everything beginners need to know about using the terminal. We explored how to open the terminal across different operating systems, navigate file systems, create and manage files and directories, and use essential commands. We also learned helpful shortcuts, power user commands, and troubleshooting tips. With these foundational skills, you can now confidently use the command line as a powerful tool in your computing journey.

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

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Nikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute.