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Mac Terminal Basics

Mac Terminal commands for beginners

The Mac Terminal lets you move through folders, inspect files, search text, and automate small tasks. Start with a few safe commands, then practice them in short Command Trail quests.

Start Mac terminal practice View commands

Essential Mac Terminal Commands

  • pwd shows the folder you are currently inside.
  • ls lists files and folders in the current location.
  • cd folder-name moves into a folder.
  • cd .. moves up one folder.
  • cd ~ returns to your home folder.
  • mkdir notes creates a folder named notes.
  • touch journal.txt creates an empty text file.
  • cp journal.txt backup.txt copies a file.
  • grep "error" server.log searches for matching text.
  • man ls opens the manual page for the ls command.

How to Practice Safely

Begin with read-only commands such as pwd, ls, head, and man. Then move into simple folder and file commands such as cd, mkdir, and touch. Command Trail gives you a browser-based practice space before you try commands in your real files.