Welcome to Part 3 of our Ubuntu Blog Series. In Part 2, we walked through installing Ubuntu on a VPS. Now it’s time to take the next step: learning how to actually use it.

Ubuntu (and Linux in general) is all about the command line. While that may feel intimidating at first, you only need a handful of commands to start managing your VPS like a pro. In this guide, we’ll go over 10 essential commands every beginner should know.

1. ls – List Files and Directories

ls
ls -la

Shows what’s inside the current directory. -la adds details like file sizes and hidden files.

2. cd – Change Directory

cd /var/www
cd

Moves you between folders. Use .. to go up one level.

3. pwd – Print Working Directory

pwd

Shows your current location in the file system. Super handy when you get lost.

4. mkdir – Make Directory

mkdir myproject

Creates a new folder for projects, apps, or configs.

5. rm – Remove Files and Folders

rm file.txt
rm -r myfolder

Deletes files or folders. Caution: there’s no recycle bin—once removed, it’s gone.

6. nano (or vim) – Edit Files

nano index.html

Opens a file in the terminal editor. Great for quick config edits.

7. sudo – Superuser Access

sudo apt update

Lets you run admin-level commands. Think of it as “run as administrator.”

8. apt – Install and Manage Software

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nginx

The package manager for Ubuntu. Update, install, or remove apps easily.

9. systemctl – Manage Services

sudo systemctl status nginx
sudo systemctl restart apache2

Start, stop, or check the status of services like web servers.

10. htop – Monitor System Resources

htop

Shows CPU, memory, and running processes in real time. (You may need to install it first with sudo apt install htop).

Bonus: whoami – Check Logged-In User

whoami

Quickly shows which user account you’re operating as.

Mastering these 10 commands will give you a strong foundation for working with Ubuntu. From managing files and installing software to monitoring performance, you’ll be equipped to handle the basics of server administration.

In Part 4 of our Ubuntu Blog Series, we’ll go deeper into Securing Your Ubuntu Server: Best Practices for Beginners—so your VPS is not just running, but also protected.