File System Commands

`mkdir`

Make Directory

What does it do?

Creates a new directory (folder). This is how you make folders in the terminal without using a file explorer.

Example:

                        $ mkdir new-project
                        # Creates a folder called "new-project"
                    

                        $ mkdir -p projects/web/portfolio
                        # Creates multiple directories at once (-p creates parent directories)
                    

When to use it:

When starting a new project
To organize files in structured folders
Create folder structures for web projects (assets, css, js, etc.)

Common options:

mkdir -p - Creates parent directories if they don't exist
mkdir -v - Verbose mode (shows what's happening)

`touch`

Create Empty File

What does it do?

Creates a new empty file. Fast way to create files without opening an editor. On Windows you can use echo. > filename.txt instead.

Example:

                        $ touch index.html
                        # Creates an empty HTML file
                    

                        $ touch style.css script.js README.md
                        # Creates multiple files at once
                    

When to use it:

Quickly create placeholder files
Set up file structure for a new project
Update timestamp on existing files

`cp`

Copy

What does it do?

Copies files or folders to a new location. The original remains intact.

Example:

                        $ cp file.txt backup.txt
                        # Copies file.txt to backup.txt
                    

                        $ cp file.txt /path/to/another/folder/
                        # Copies the file to another folder
                    

                        $ cp -r folder/ backup-folder/
                        # Copies entire folder with all contents (-r = recursive)
                    

When to use it:

Create backups of important files
Duplicate projects or configuration files
Copy files between folders

Common options:

cp -r - Copy folders recursively (with all contents)
cp -v - Verbose (show what's being copied)
cp -i - Interactive (ask before overwriting)

`mv`

Move / Rename

What does it do?

Moves files to a new location OR renames them. The original disappears (it's moved, not copied).

Example:

                        $ mv oldname.txt newname.txt
                        # Renames the file
                    

                        $ mv file.txt ../another-folder/
                        # Moves the file to another folder
                    

                        $ mv *.txt documents/
                        # Moves all .txt files to the documents folder
                    

When to use it:

Rename files or folders
Reorganize file structure
Move files to the correct location

Common options:

mv -i - Interactive (ask before overwriting)
mv -v - Verbose (show what's happening)
mv -n - No clobber (don't overwrite existing files)

`rm`

Remove

⚠️ What does it do?

Deletes files or folders PERMANENTLY. There is no recycle bin - when it's gone, it's gone! Be extra careful with this command.

Example:

                        $ rm file.txt
                        # Deletes the file permanently
                    

                        $ rm -i file.txt
                        # Asks for confirmation first (-i is safer)
                    

                        $ rm -r folder/
                        # Deletes entire folder with all contents (-r = recursive)
                    

                        $ rm -rf /
                        # ❌ NEVER DO THIS! Deletes your ENTIRE system
                    

When to use it:

Delete files you no longer need
Clean up old projects
Remove temporary files

Common options:

rm -i - Interactive (ask before deleting - RECOMMENDED)
rm -r - Recursive (delete folders and contents)
rm -f - Force (forces deletion without asking - DANGEROUS)
rm -rf - Combination (EXTREMELY DANGEROUS)

💡 Pro-tip: Always use ls first to see what's in the folder. Use rm -i to get confirmation. ALWAYS double-check before pressing Enter!

`cat`

Concatenate / Display File

What does it do?

Displays the contents of a file directly in the terminal. Perfect for quickly checking what's in a file.

Example:

                        $ cat README.md
                        # Displays the contents of README.md
                    

                        $ cat file1.txt file2.txt > combined.txt
                        # Combines two files into one new file
                    

When to use it:

Quickly view the contents of small files
Combine multiple files
Debug configuration files

CLI GUIDE

File System Commands

`mkdir`

What does it do?

Example:

When to use it:

Common options:

`touch`

What does it do?

Example:

When to use it:

`cp`

What does it do?

Example:

When to use it:

Common options:

`mv`

What does it do?

Example:

When to use it:

Common options:

`rm`

⚠️ What does it do?

Example:

When to use it:

Common options:

`cat`

What does it do?

Example:

When to use it:

Next Steps