Command Line Shortcuts

This was originally posted on my theflyingdev page.

Shortcuts for moving around

Let’s be honest how many times do we write a command, just to notice that around the beginning of the line there is a mistake and we delete everything and type the command again? These shortcuts will help you move the cursor easier without the need to delete the whole thing.

• CTRL + A - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line
• CTRL + E - Moves the cursor to the end of the line
• CTRL + arrow keys - Moves the cursor from word to word
• ALT + B - Moves the cursor back from word to word
• ALT + F - Moves cursors forward from word to word

Cutting and pasting

• CTRL + W - Cut the word left of the cursor
• CTRL + K - Cut the entire text at the right of the cursor
• CTRL + U - Cut the entire line
• CTRL + Y - Paste the previous cut text
• ALT + W - Cut the entire text at the left of the cursor

Text manipulation

• CTRL + T - Swap two letters between the cursor
  • Example: this if the cursor is between the h and i it turns into tihs
• ESC + T - Swap two words between the cursor
  • Example: this text will become text this
• ESC + U - Uppercases text right of the cursor - moves cursor to the end of word
• CTRL + Q - Deletes text from line - clears line only

Other useful shortcuts

• CTRL + L - Clears the terminal -> No need to write clear all the time!
• CTRL + R - Reverse search your history for a term
  • Use CTRL + R again to cycle through results
• !! Repeat the last command used in the terminal
• Use sudo !! to repeat the last command with sudo

Get the cheatsheet