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Top Keyboard Shortcuts for the Linux Bash Terminal

Top Keyboard Shortcuts for the Linux Bash Terminal

By Vasu Bansal
3 mins read
Last updated: 4 Sep 2023
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Overview

In the world of Linux, the command-line interface reigns supreme, and the Bash terminal is at its heart. While mastering the command line may seem intimidating, knowing the right Linux shortcut keys can greatly enhance your efficiency and productivity. Users have long relied on these Linux shortcut keys to navigate, manipulate files, and execute commands swiftly. This article will explore some of the top Linux shortcut keys for the Linux Bash terminal, making your command-line experience smooth and enjoyable.

Linux Bash Terminal Keyboard Shortcuts

  1. Moving the Cursor

    • Ctrl + A or Home: Move the cursor to the beginning of the line.
    • Ctrl + E or End: Move the cursor to the end of the line.
    • Ctrl + B: Move the cursor one character backwards.
    • Ctrl + F: Move the cursor one character forward.

  2. Word Navigation

    • Ctrl + Left Arrow: Move the cursor one word backward.
    • Ctrl + Right Arrow: Move the cursor one word forward.

  3. Deleting Text

    • Ctrl + D or Delete: Delete the character under the cursor.
    • Ctrl + H: Delete the character before the cursor.
    • Ctrl + W: Delete the word before the cursor.
    • Ctrl + K: Delete from the cursor position to the end of the line.
    • Ctrl + U: Delete from the cursor position to the beginning of the line.
    • Ctrl + Y: Paste the last deleted text.

Command History:

  1. Accessing Command History

    • Up Arrow or Ctrl + P: Go to the previous command in history.
    • Down Arrow or Ctrl + N: Go to the next command in history.

  2. Searching Command History

    • Ctrl + R: Search backwards in history for a command matching the entered text.
      • Press Ctrl + R again or Ctrl + G: Continue searching backward for the next match.
      • Press Enter: Execute the found command.
      • Press Ctrl + J or Ctrl + C: Cancel the search without executing any command.

Command Completion:

  1. Auto-Completion
    • Tab: Automatically completes commands, file names, or directories based on what you have typed so far. If there are multiple possibilities, pressing Tab twice shows a list of options.

Cut, Copy, and Paste:

  1. Clipboard Operations
    • Ctrl + Shift + C: Copy the selected text to the clipboard.
    • Ctrl + Shift + V: Paste text from the clipboard.

Other Useful Shortcuts:

  1. Clearing the Terminal

    • Ctrl + L: Clear the terminal screen. This is useful when the output on the screen becomes cluttered.

  2. Interrupting Commands

    • Ctrl + C: Stop the currently running command or application.

  3. Exiting Terminal

    • Ctrl + D or type 'exit': Close the terminal session and return to the graphical interface.

Advanced Shortcuts:

  1. Multi-Cursor Editing

    • Hold down Ctrl and click at different locations with the left mouse button to create multiple cursors. This allows you to edit multiple parts of the text simultaneously.

  2. Command Substitution

    • Enclose a command within backticks to substitute the output of that command into another command.

Conclusion

  • Mastering the Linux Bash terminal can be a game-changer for your productivity. By incorporating these Linux shortcut keys into your daily routine, you can navigate the command line with ease and speed.
  • As with any skill, practice is essential; over time, these Linux shortcut keys will become second nature.
  • Remember, becoming proficient with Linux shortcut keys can take time, so be patient with yourself as you build your command-line prowess.
  • The more you use the terminal and the shortcuts mentioned here, the more confident you'll become in harnessing the power of the Linux command line.
  • To gain more knowledge, continue reading interesting articles on Scaler Topics.