The Dock

Located on the left side of the screen by default, the Dock contains icons for your favorite and currently running applications. You can click on these icons to launch or switch to applications. To add an application to the Dock, right-click on its icon while the application is running and select "Add to Favorites."

Activities Overview

Clicking on the "Activities" button in the top-left corner or pressing the Super key (Windows key) opens the Activities Overview. This view shows all open windows and provides access to the application launcher and workspace switcher.

Top Bar

The bar at the top of the screen contains the Activities button, clock, and system indicators (network, sound, battery, etc.). Clicking on the system indicators opens a menu with quick settings and notifications.

Application Launcher

In the Activities Overview, you can start typing to search for applications, files, and settings. You can also click on the grid icon at the bottom of the Dock to see all installed applications.

Workspaces

Ubuntu allows you to organize your work across multiple virtual desktops called workspaces. In the Activities Overview, workspaces are displayed on the right side of the screen. You can drag windows between workspaces to organize your work.

Settings

Access the Settings application by clicking on the system indicators in the top-right corner and selecting the gear icon. Here, you can adjust display settings, change the background, configure network connections, and more.

Appearance

In Settings > Appearance, you can switch between light and dark themes, adjust the position of the Dock, and change its behavior.

Extensions

GNOME extensions add functionality to your desktop. Install the "GNOME Extensions" application from the Software Center to browse and manage extensions.

• /home: Contains user home directories. Your personal files are stored in /home/username/ (where "username" is your login name).
• /usr: Contains most of the user utilities and applications.
• /etc: Contains system-wide configuration files.
• /var: Contains variable data files, such as logs and temporary files.
• /bin and /sbin: Contain essential system binaries (executable programs).
• /tmp: Contains temporary files that are typically cleared on reboot.
• /opt: Often used for optional or third-party software.
• /media and /mnt: Used as mount points for removable media and temporarily mounted file systems.

Basic Navigation

The Files application works similarly to file explorers in other operating systems. You can:

• Double-click on folders to open them
• Use the back and forward buttons to navigate through your browsing history
• Use the path bar at the top to see your current location and navigate to parent directories
• Use the sidebar on the left for quick access to common locations

Creating and Managing Files and Folders

Right-click in an empty area to create new folders or files. Right-click on existing items to rename, delete, or see their properties.

Search

Use the search button in the top-right corner to find files and folders.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn these useful shortcuts to improve your efficiency:

• Ctrl+N: New window
• Ctrl+T: New tab
• Ctrl+H: Show hidden files
• Ctrl+L: Edit location (enter a path directly)
• F2: Rename selected item

Each file and directory has three sets of permissions:

• Owner permissions: What the file owner can do
• Group permissions: What users in the file's group can do
• Others permissions: What all other users can do

For each set, there are three possible permissions:

• Read (r): Permission to read the file or list the directory contents
• Write (w): Permission to modify the file or create/delete files in the directory
• Execute (x): Permission to run the file as a program or access files in the directory

To view permissions in the Files application, right-click on a file or folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Permissions" tab.

Here are some essential commands for navigating the file system:

pwd (Print Working Directory)

Shows your current location in the file system.

pwd

ls (List)

Lists files and directories in the current directory.

ls

Add options to modify the output:

ls -l    # Long format with details
ls -a    # Show hidden files
ls -la   # Combine options

cd (Change Directory)

Navigate to different directories.

cd /path/to/directory    # Navigate to a specific directory
cd ~                    # Navigate to your home directory
cd ..                   # Navigate up one level
cd -                    # Navigate to the previous directory

mkdir (Make Directory)

Create new directories.

mkdir directory_name

touch

Create empty files.

touch filename

cp (Copy)

Copy files and directories.

cp source destination           # Copy a file
cp -r source_dir destination    # Copy a directory and its contents

mv (Move)

Move or rename files and directories.

mv source destination    # Move a file or directory
mv oldname newname       # Rename a file or directory

rm (Remove)

Delete files and directories.

rm filename              # Delete a file
rm -r directory_name     # Delete a directory and its contents

cat

Display file contents.

cat filename

less

View file contents with pagination.

less filename

(Press 'q' to exit)

grep

Search for patterns in files.

grep "search_term" filename

man

Display the manual page for a command.

man command_name

Tab Completion

Press Tab to automatically complete commands and file paths. Double-tap Tab to see available options.

Command History

Use the up and down arrow keys to navigate through previously used commands.

Clearing the Screen

Type clear or press Ctrl+L to clear the Terminal screen.

Stopping Commands

Press Ctrl+C to stop a running command.

Running with Elevated Privileges

Use sudo before a command to run it with administrative privileges.

sudo command

You'll be prompted for your password.

Update Package Lists

Refresh the list of available packages.

sudo apt update

Upgrade Installed Packages

Install available updates for all installed packages.

sudo apt upgrade

Install Packages

Install new software packages.

sudo apt install package_name

You can install multiple packages at once:

sudo apt install package1 package2 package3

Remove Packages

Uninstall software packages.

sudo apt remove package_name

Search for Packages

Find packages by name or description.

apt search keyword

Show Package Information

Display detailed information about a package.

apt show package_name

Autoremove

Remove packages that were automatically installed but are no longer needed.

sudo apt autoremove

Adding a PPA

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:repository_name
sudo apt update

Removing a PPA

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:repository_name
sudo apt update

top

Display real-time system statistics and running processes.

top

(Press 'q' to exit)

htop

An improved version of top with a more user-friendly interface.

sudo apt install htop
htop

(Press 'q' to exit)

df

Check disk space usage.

df -h    # -h for human-readable format

free

Display memory usage.

free -h

ps

List running processes.

ps aux

Check Service Status

systemctl status service_name

Start a Service

sudo systemctl start service_name

Stop a Service

sudo systemctl stop service_name

Enable a Service to Start at Boot

sudo systemctl enable service_name

Disable a Service from Starting at Boot

sudo systemctl disable service_name

gedit

Ubuntu's default text editor. Simple and user-friendly.

gedit filename

Visual Studio Code

A powerful, extensible code editor popular among developers.

sudo apt install code
code filename

nano

A simple, beginner-friendly editor.

nano filename

Common shortcuts:

• Ctrl+O: Save file
• Ctrl+X: Exit
• Ctrl+G: Help

vim

A powerful, modal text editor with a steeper learning curve.

vim filename

Basic vim usage:

• Press 'i' to enter insert mode
• Edit text
• Press Esc to exit insert mode
• Type ':w' to save
• Type ':q' to quit
• Type ':wq' to save and quit

emacs

Another powerful editor with extensive customization options.

emacs filename