Navigating the Filesystem (cd, ls, pwd)

Navigating the filesystem is a core skill - like exploring a city of files and folders. Knowing where you are and how to move around underpins everything in the terminal.

pwd (print working directory) tells you where you are - the full path of your current location. Run it below.

ls (list) shows the files and folders in your current location - like peeking inside a folder on your desktop. Try it below.

Add -l for a long listing: permissions, owner, size, and modification date for each item - far more detail than names alone.

Linux hides "dotfiles" (names starting with .) used for config. Add -a to ls to reveal all files, hidden ones included.

cd (change directory) moves you around. An absolute path starts from root / and gives the full location - like a full street address.

A relative path is based on where you are now. From /home/user, just cd Documents jumps you into /home/user/Documents.

Handy cd shortcuts: cd .. goes up to the parent, cd ~ jumps home, and cd - returns to your previous directory. Big typing savers.

You can ls a path without moving into it - just pass the directory as an argument to peek at its contents while staying put.

You are currently in your home directory (~/). Which of the following commands would allow you to see a hidden file named .profile located directly within your home directory?

Recap: pwd shows where you are, ls lists contents (-l details, -a hidden), and cd moves you via absolute paths, relative paths, or shortcuts.