Commands for Handling files and directories

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: AlmaLinux 9, Rocky Linux 9, Ubuntu 24.04 and Debian 12

Everyday commands for working with files and folders on Linux:

mkdir dir                 # create a folder
mkdir -p dir1/dir2        # create nested folders
cd dir                    # go into a folder
cd ..                     # up one level
cd -                      # back to the previous folder
cd                        # your home folder
pwd                       # show where you are
cp file1 file2            # copy a file
cp -r dir1 dir2           # copy a folder with its contents
mv old new                # move or rename
rm file                   # delete a file
rm -r dir                 # delete a folder and everything in it
ln -s target linkname     # create a symbolic link

Note: rm does not use a recycle bin. Double-check before running rm -r, especially with wildcards.