Linux Basics

This guide covers essential commands and skills for effective Linux administration on your VPS server.

Connecting via SSH

Connect from any operating system using SSH:


ssh [email protected]

Note: All CoreSynth servers run Linux. Use any SSH client (Terminal, PowerShell, Termius, PuTTY, etc.)

Command	Description
`pwd`	Show current directory
`ls`	List files
`ls -la`	List files including hidden
`cd directory`	Change to directory
`cd ~`	Go to home directory
`cd ..`	Go up one level

Important Directories

Directory	Contents
`/root`	Root user’s home directory
`/home`	User home directories
`/var/www`	Web files and applications
`/var/log`	System logs
`/etc`	Configuration files
`/tmp`	Temporary files

File Operations

Command	Description
`cat file`	Display file contents
`nano file`	Edit file in Nano editor
`cp source destination`	Copy file
`mv source destination`	Move/rename file
`rm file`	Delete file
`mkdir directory`	Create directory
`rm -r directory`	Delete directory recursively

Nano Editor

Nano is a simple terminal text editor.

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + O`	Save file
`Ctrl + X`	Exit editor
`Ctrl + W`	Search in file
`Ctrl + K`	Delete line
`Ctrl + U`	Undelete line

Package Management (apt)


# Update package list
apt update
 
# Install a package
apt install package-name
 
# Remove a package
apt remove package-name
 
# Search for a package
apt search keyword
 
# Upgrade all packages
apt upgrade

Service Management (systemctl)


# Start a service
systemctl start service-name
 
# Stop a service
systemctl stop service-name
 
# Restart a service
systemctl restart service-name
 
# Check service status
systemctl status service-name
 
# Enable on boot
systemctl enable service-name
 
# Disable on boot
systemctl disable service-name

System Monitoring

Command	Description
`htop`	Interactive process manager
`df -h`	Disk usage
`free -h`	RAM usage
`uptime`	System uptime
`top`	Basic process overview

Network Commands

Command	Description
`ip a`	Show IP addresses
`ping -c 4 domain.com`	Test connectivity
`curl ifconfig.me`	Get public IP
`netstat -tlnp`	Active TCP ports
`ss -tlnp`	Active TCP ports (modern)
`nslookup domain.com`	DNS lookup

User Management


# Add a new user
adduser username
 
# Switch to user
su username
 
# Add user to sudo group
usermod -aG sudo username

File Permissions


# Change file owner
chown user:group file
 
# Change permissions
chmod 755 file
 
# Example: make script executable
chmod +x script.sh

Useful Tips

Tip	Description
Tab	Auto-complete command
Arrow Up	Previous command from history
Ctrl + C	Cancel current operation
Ctrl + L	Clear screen
history	Show command history

Need help? Open a support ticket or ask Alex.