Here’s a list of commonly used command line tools and commands on macOS.
The command line interface (CLI) on macOS provides a powerful and efficient way to interact with your computer, perform system tasks, and automate workflows. In this article, we will explore a list of commonly used command line tools on macOS that can empower you to work more effectively in the terminal environment.
ls
: Lists the files and directories in the current directory.cd
: Changes the current directory.pwd
: Prints the current working directory.mkdir
: Creates a new directory.rm
: Removes files and directories.cp
: Copies files and directories.mv
: Moves or renames files and directories.touch
: Creates a new file.cat
: Displays the contents of a file.grep
: Searches for a specific pattern in files.find
: Searches for files and directories based on various criteria.chmod
: Changes the permissions of a file or directory.chown
: Changes the ownership of a file or directory.ssh
: Connects to a remote server using the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol.top
: Displays real-time information about system processes.man
: Displays the manual pages for commands and utilities.history
: Shows a list of previously executed commands.curl
: Transfers data to or from a server using various protocols.tar
: Creates or extracts compressed archive files.sudo
: Executes a command with administrative privileges.