Rajeev G. Blog

An Introduction to Using the Terminal on MacOS.

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Tech

Basic Commands

Interactive CLI reference

(SS64) - Command line reference

Echo 

$ echo <input> = print a string to the terminal

Clear 

$ clear = this clears the current window. (Within Terminal in OS X, you can still scroll up to see what was there. This command simply clears the current view

Change Directory 

$ cd /Applications/Utilities = You can navigate to a folder, such as Utilities, by typing the following command 'cd' to jump up a level
$ cd /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/
$ cd "/Volumes/Macintosh HD/" = With folders that contain spaces, there’s two ways you can do it:

Create folder 

$ mkdir <folder name>

List 

$ ls = List the Contents of a Directory. To view it in a list format, enter: $ ls -l
$ ls = List the Contents of a Directory. To view it in a list format, enter: $ ls -l
$ ls -la = but also view all the hidden files?

Delete file 

$ rm <filename>

Server 

$ python -m SimpleHTTPServer 8000 = to quickly test some HTML that you’re working on, start a simple web server within any folder on your Mac. Close with ctrl+c

Download a file 

$ curl -O http://appldnld.apple.com/iTunes11/091-6058.20130605.Cw321/iTunes11.0.4.dmg = download a file without using a browser

Shutdown 

$ sudo shutdown -h now = To shut down your Mac immediately
$ sudo shutdown -r now = To restart your Mac immediately
$ sudo shutdown -r +60 = We can even add a time delay (in minutes) if we wish

Keep-awake 

$ caffeinate = Prevent from sleeping, cancel with ctrl+c
$ caffeinate -u -t 600 = Prevent from sleeping, 600s (10m)

Monitor a file 

$ tail -f /var/log/system.log = constantly monitor your chosen file and display any new lines as they’re added, perfect for monitoring system log files

Modify file permissions 

$ sudo chmod +x <filename> = grant execute permission on file. Command takes rwx (read/write/execute)
$ sudo chmod u+x <filename> = grant execute permission on file for user takes ugoa (user/group/others/all)

Move file 

$ mv <filename>

Environment vars 

$ env = view environment variables
$ export = set an environment variable

Useful resoucrces

How Does PATH Work in Bash

(SS64) - Command line reference

The PATH demystified

LinuxHint