Linux is a powerhouse for developers, sysadmins, and ethical hackers. Knowing the right command-line tricks can significantly boost your productivity and make tasks much more efficient. Here are some of the best Linux command tricks to help you work smarter and faster! 🔥
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1️⃣ Use cd - to Quickly Switch Between Directories
Instead of typing long paths, switch between the last two directories instantly:
cd -
🔹 Saves time when navigating between multiple folders.
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2️⃣ Run the Last Command as Root (sudo !!)
Ever run a command and forget sudo? Instead of retyping, just use:
sudo !!
🔹 Re-executes the last command with root privileges.
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3️⃣ Find Large Files Eating Up Space
To locate the biggest files on your system:
du -ah / | sort -rh | head -10
🔹 Helps you clean up disk space efficiently.
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4️⃣ Kill a Process by Name (pkill)
Instead of finding a process ID, kill a process by name:
pkill -9 process_name
🔹 Example: To kill Firefox, use pkill -9 firefox.
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5️⃣ Monitor Real-Time Disk Usage (iotop)
To check which processes are using the most disk I/O:
sudo iotop
🔹 Useful for diagnosing slow system performance.
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6️⃣ Repeat a Command Every X Seconds (watch)
To monitor command output in real-time:
watch -n 2 df -h
🔹 Refreshes disk space usage (df -h) every 2 seconds.
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7️⃣ Download a File from the Internet (wget)
To quickly download a file via the terminal:
wget https://example.com/file.zip
🔹 Useful for grabbing software or scripts directly from a URL.
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8️⃣ Extract Any Archive with One Command
Instead of remembering different extraction commands, define this alias:
extract() {
if [ -f "$1" ]; then
case "$1" in
*.tar.bz2) tar xjf "$1" ;;
*.tar.gz) tar xzf "$1" ;;
*.bz2) bunzip2 "$1" ;;
*.rar) unrar x "$1" ;;
*.gz) gunzip "$1" ;;
*.tar) tar xf "$1" ;;
*.tbz2) tar xjf "$1" ;;
*.tgz) tar xzf "$1" ;;
*.zip) unzip "$1" ;;
*.Z) uncompress "$1";;
*.7z) 7z x "$1" ;;
*) echo "'$1' cannot be extracted via extract()" ;;
esac
else
echo "'$1' is not a valid file"
fi
}
🔹 Now, just run extract filename.ext to extract any archive easily.
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9️⃣ Check System Uptime and Load (uptime)
To see how long your system has been running:
uptime
🔹 Also shows system load averages.
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🔟 Find and Delete Files in One Command
To delete .log files older than 7 days:
find /path/to/directory -name "*.log" -type f -mtime +7 -exec rm -f {} \;
🔹 Replace /path/to/directory with your target folder.
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🔥 Bonus Tricks!
🔹 Mastering the Power of alias for Efficiency
Save time by creating shortcuts for frequently used commands. Add this to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:
alias ll="ls -lah"
alias update="sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y"
🔹 Now, just type ll for a detailed list or update to update the system.
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🔹 Automating Tasks with cron Jobs
Want to automate backups or scripts? Use cron:
crontab -e
Add a job that runs a script every day at midnight:
0 0 * * * /path/to/script.sh
🔹 Super useful for scheduling tasks automatically!
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🔹 Using rsync for Efficient File Synchronization
To sync files between two locations:
rsync -avz /source/path/ user@remote:/destination/path/
🔹 This is great for backups or transferring files between servers.
🔹 Monitoring System Resources with htop
For an interactive view of system performance:
htop
🔹 A better alternative to top for checking CPU, memory, and processes.
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Final Thoughts 💡
Mastering these Linux command tricks will make you more efficient and confident in managing your system. Whether you’re a sysadmin, hacker, or just love Linux, these commands will save you time and effort! 🚀
📚 Want to Master Linux for Hacking?
If you’re serious about learning Linux for cybersecurity and hacking, check out our book:
📖 Linux Playbook for Hackers – A practical guide to mastering Linux commands, automation, and security!
Also, if you’re stepping into bug bounty, grab our Bug Bounty Beginner Edition book to kickstart your journey in ethical hacking! 🚀
💬 Which trick is your favorite? Let me know! 👇
