This article will explain and provide more information on basic SSH commands to start administrating your server via SSH. Here you will find just a fraction of the available SSH commands, however, they are most commonly used.

Shows all the files and directories that are in the directory you are in.

Examples:

Shows all the files and directories and more information about every file:

Shows all the files that ends with ".html":

Shows full path to the directory you are in.

Go into/change the directory into a different one.
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Examples:

Brings you back into the home directory:

Changes the directory into /var inside the server:

Go one step back out of the directory:

Go one step further into the directory (directory above):

Shows the content of the chosen file.
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Example:

Shows the content of the "index.html" file:

Used to change the privileges of the users/groups to the file.
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​Examples:
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No one will have privileges to access "config.html" file:

Only this user can use the file and others do not have privileges for it:

The file is accessible for everyone:

Changes the owner of the file or group.
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Examples:

Changes the file's "config.php" owner into root:

Changes the owner of the "config.php" and group to root privileges:

The same as "cat" command, but also shows the end of the file.
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Examples:

Shows the last 20 lines of the file /var/log/messages:

Shows the last 100 lines:

Works the same way as "cat", but shows only as much text as fits to the window.
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Example:

Shows only that part of text that fits to the window opened. For entering another page, need to press "SPACE" bar on the keyboard. For escaping, need to press "q":

Simple file editor.
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Example:
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Opens up the "index.html" file for editing:

Shows who is connected to the server right now.

Shows the most relevant information on server resources in real time (RAM, uptime, top processes and others).

Creates an empty file.
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Example:

Created a file "contacts.html" in directory "/home/useris/public_html/":

Creates a directory.
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Example:

Creates the directory "/photos:

Copies files.
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Examples:

Copies the file's "index.html" content into the file "index2.html" when they are on the same directory:

Copies all the files from "/public_html/test/" directory into "/public_html" (one directory lower):

Moves the files to another directory. Usage is similar to "cp" command.
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Removes/deletes the files.
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Examples:

Removes the "index2.html" file:

Deletes the "index2.html" file without asking if you really want to remove it ("force"):

Removes all the files that ends in ".html":

Clears the window of SSH console.

Exits the SSH console and disconnects from the user.
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Used to create file archive or extract files from it.
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​Examples:
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Extract the file:

Extract the file:

Collects all the files in the "test/" directory and moves it into "test.tar" archive:

Unzips the specific file:

Shows last 50 used commands.

Downloads files from the provided internet link.

Example: