Linux/macOS Terminal (Bash/Zsh)

Navigation

pwd                     # Where am I?
ls                      # List files
ls -la                  # List all files with details
cd folder_name          # Go into folder
cd ..                   # Go up one level
cd ~                    # Go to home directory
cd -                    # Go to previous directory

Files & Folders

mkdir test-suite        # Create folder
touch test_login.py     # Create empty file
cp file.py backup.py    # Copy file
mv old.py new.py        # Rename/move file
rm file.py              # Delete file (careful!)
rm -rf folder/          # Delete folder and contents
cat file.py             # Show file contents
head -20 results.log    # First 20 lines
tail -f test.log        # Follow live output (great for test logs)

Searching

grep "ERROR" test.log           # Find text in file
grep -r "login" tests/          # Search recursively in folder
find . -name "*.py"             # Find files by name
find . -name "*.py" -mtime -1   # Files modified in last day

Running Tests

python -m pytest tests/                 # Run Python tests
npx playwright test                     # Run Playwright
bundle exec rspec                       # Run RSpec
mvn test                                # Run Maven/Java tests
npm test                                # Run npm test script

Processes

ps aux | grep chrome    # Find running processes
kill 12345              # Kill process by PID
top                     # Live system monitor
Ctrl+C                  # Stop current command
Ctrl+Z                  # Suspend current command
command &               # Run in background

Permissions

chmod +x run_tests.sh   # Make script executable
./run_tests.sh           # Run the script

Pipes & Redirects

cat test.log | grep "FAIL"              # Pipe: filter output
python tests.py > results.txt           # Redirect output to file
python tests.py 2>&1 | tee output.log   # Show AND save output
command1 && command2                     # Run 2nd only if 1st succeeds
command1 || command2                     # Run 2nd only if 1st fails

Environment Variables

export BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000    # Set variable
echo $BASE_URL                           # Read variable
env                                      # Show all variables

Useful Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Tab	Auto-complete
↑/↓	Previous commands
Ctrl+R	Search command history
Ctrl+L	Clear screen
Ctrl+A	Go to start of line
Ctrl+E	Go to end of line