CS Basics: Command Line Interface (CLI)

cd - Change Directory

Moves the working directory to a specified folder.

cd /Users/carlmills/Documents

ls - List Files

Lists all files in the current directory. Add parameters for extra detail: -l detailed list, -S sort by size, -t sort by date, -r reverse order.

ls -lTr

rm - Remove Files

Deletes files or directories. Use with care - there's no undo.

rm filename.txt
rm *                # remove all files in directory
rm -rf foldername   # recursive, force delete

touch - Create File

Creates a new blank file.

touch newfile.txt

mv - Move or Rename File

Moves or renames a file or folder.

mv file.txt samefile.txt
mv file.txt ~/Documents/samefile.txt

cp - Copy File

Copies a file or directory.

cp john.txt john2.txt

mkdir - Make Directory

Creates a new folder in the current directory.

mkdir newFolder

rmdir - Remove Directory

Removes an empty folder. For non-empty folders, use rm -R.

rmdir oldFolder

chmod - Change Permissions

Adjusts file access permissions (read, write, execute).

chmod u+w file.txt   # allow user to write
chmod u-r file.txt   # remove read access

pwd - Print Working Directory

Displays the full path of your current directory.

pwd

open - Open Files in GUI

Opens a file using the system's default application, equivalent to double-clicking it.

open ~/Documents/file.txt