Basic Linux System Commands

These commands help you navigate and manage the Kali Linux environment.

• whoami

• Purpose: Displays the current username.

• Example: whoami → Output: kali (if logged in as the default user).

• pwd

• Purpose: Shows the current working directory.

• Example: pwd → Output: /home/kali.

• ls

(Note: Use dir or ls -l equivalent in some contexts, but ls isn't native; Kali uses dir or aliases).

• Purpose: Lists files and directories (aliased or via dir).

• Example: ls → Output: Lists contents (if aliased); otherwise, use dir.

• cd

• Purpose: Changes directories.

• Example: cd /etc → Moves to the /etc directory.

• mkdir

• Purpose: Creates a new directory.

• Example: mkdir test_folder → Creates test_folder in the current directory.

• rm

• Purpose: Removes files or directories.

• Example: rm -r test_folder → Deletes test_folder and its contents recursively.

• cat

• Purpose: Displays file contents or concatenates files.

• Example: cat /etc/passwd → Shows user account info.

• sudo

• Purpose: Runs commands as a superuser (root).

• Example: sudo apt update → Updates package lists with elevated privileges.

• man

• Purpose: Displays the manual for a command.

• Example: man nmap → Shows Nmap's documentation.