Mastering the Linux Command Line: Tips and Tricks

Navigating the Directory

• cd -: Switch back to the last working directory.

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Running Multiple Commands

• Run commands sequentially:

  command_1; command_2; command_3
  

• Run commands sequentially only if the previous command succeeds:

  command_1 && command_2
  

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Previous Commands and Arguments

• Repeat the last command:

  !!
  

• Access specific arguments of the previous command:
  • !:n: Replace with the nth argument of the last command.
    Example: !:0 for the command itself, !:-1 for the first argument.
  • Keyboard shortcuts:
    • Alt + .: Last argument of any previous command.
    • Esc + .: Last argument of the most recent command.
• Common argument patterns:

  !^      # First argument
  !$      # Last argument
  !*      # All arguments
  !:2     # Second argument
  !:2-3   # Second to third arguments
  !:2-$   # Second to last arguments
  !:2*    # Second to all arguments
  !:2-    # Second to second-last arguments
  !!      # Repeat the last command
  

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Spelling Check in Linux

• Use look to check word spelling:

  look docum
  

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Linux Terminal Shortcuts

1. Ctrl + a: Move to the start of the line.
2. Ctrl + e: Move to the end of the line.
3. Ctrl + u: Cut everything before the cursor.
4. Ctrl + k: Cut everything after the cursor.
5. Ctrl + l: Clear the terminal.
6. Ctrl + r: Search command history.
7. Ctrl + b: Move back one character.
8. Alt + b: Move back one word.
9. Ctrl + f: Move forward one character.
10. Alt + f: Move forward one word.
11. Ctrl + d: Delete the current character.
12. Ctrl + w: Cut the last word.
13. Alt + d: Cut the word after the cursor.
14. Alt + w: Cut the word before the cursor.
15. Ctrl + y: Paste the last deleted content.
16. Ctrl + _: Undo.
17. Ctrl + x, x: Toggle between the first and current cursor position.
18. Ctrl + c: Cancel the current command.
19. Ctrl + j: End search at the current history entry.
20. Ctrl + g: Cancel search and restore the original line.
21. Ctrl + n: Next command in history.
22. Ctrl + p: Previous command in history.

For more, check StackOverflow.

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CSV Files: Pretty Display in Terminal

Add this function to your .bashrc:

function pretty_csv {
    column -t -s, -n "$@" | less -F -S -X -K
}

Use with:

pretty_csv your_file.csv

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Pretty Code Printing with enscript

sudo apt install enscript
enscript -2rj --highlight=python --color=1 -o output.ps your_script.py

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Check Disk Usage

sudo du -ah --max-depth=1 / | sort -hr

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Scheduling Tasks with Crontab

Edit and schedule tasks:

cron -e