Update everything (Ubuntu/Debian)
Refreshes package lists and installs all available updates.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yLinux commands cheat sheet
Everyday Linux commands for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch: updating packages, managing systemd services, checking resources, processes, permissions and the firewall.
25 commands
Update everything (Fedora)
Refreshes metadata and upgrades all packages.
sudo dnf upgrade --refreshUpdate everything (Arch)
Syncs the package database and upgrades the system.
sudo pacman -SyuRemove unused packages
Deletes packages nothing depends on and clears the download cache.
sudo apt autoremove -y && sudo apt cleanFree disk space
Disk usage of every mounted drive in human-readable sizes.
df -hBiggest folders here
Size of each item in the current folder, smallest to largest.
du -sh * | sort -hMemory usage
Used, free and available RAM and swap.
free -hTop memory-hungry processes
The ten processes using the most memory.
ps aux --sort=-%mem | head -n 10Stop a process by PID
Asks the process to exit. If it ignores you, use kill -9 to force it.
kill Stop processes by name
Stops every process whose command line matches.
pkill -f Matches broadly; check with pgrep -fl first.
Check a service
Shows whether a service is running and its latest log lines.
systemctl status Restart a service
Stops and starts the service.
sudo systemctl restart Start a service now and on boot
Enables the service at boot and starts it immediately.
sudo systemctl enable --now Follow a service’s logs
Streams new log lines as they arrive. Ctrl+C to stop.
journalctl -u -fWhich distro and version
Name, version and ID of the Linux distribution.
cat /etc/os-releaseKernel version
Kernel name, version and architecture.
uname -aMake a script executable
Lets you run it with ./script.sh.
chmod +x Take ownership of a folder
Fixes "permission denied" on files created by root.
sudo chown -R $USER:$USER Give a user sudo rights
Adds the user to the sudo group (wheel on Fedora/Arch). They need to log in again.
sudo usermod -aG sudo Listening ports and their programs
Every open TCP/UDP port with the process that owns it.
sudo ss -tulpnOpen a port in the firewall
Allows incoming traffic on a port (Ubuntu’s ufw). Enable the firewall with sudo ufw enable.
sudo ufw allow /tcpAlways allow SSH (22) before enabling ufw on a remote server, or you’ll lock yourself out.
Edit scheduled jobs
Opens your cron table. Each line is: minute hour day month weekday command.
crontab -eRe-run a command every few seconds
Refreshes the output on screen. Ctrl+C to stop.
watch -n Copy a file to the clipboard
For Wayland desktops. On X11 use: xclip -selection clipboard < file.
wl-copy < CPU details
Model, cores, threads and cache sizes.
lscpuEvery command copies as plain, clean text: no curly quotes, no long dashes, no invisible characters.