Top 10 Mac Commands Everyone Should Know

macOS Terminal is a powerful tool for performing tasks quickly and efficiently. Below are 10 essential commands, explained step-by-step, that every Mac user should know to navigate, manage files, and troubleshoot effectively.

List Files and Folders:
Use ls to view all files and folders in the current directory. Add -l for detailed info or -a for hidden files.

ls -la

Change Directory:
Navigate to a folder with cd. Use cd .. to go up one level or cd ~ to return home.

cd Documents

Print Working Directory:
Use pwd to display the full path of your current directory location.

pwd

Create a Folder:
Use mkdir to create a new folder in the current directory.

mkdir

Copy Files or Folders:
Copy files with cp. Use -r to copy entire directories.

cp file.txt /path/to/destination  
cp -r SourceFolder/ DestinationFolder/

Move or Rename Files:
Use mv to move files to another location or rename them.

mv oldname.txt newname.txt  
mv file.txt /path/to/destination/

Delete Files or Folders:
Use rm to delete files or rm -r to remove folders permanently.

rm file.txt  
rm -r FolderName

Open Files or Apps:
Use open to launch files, folders, or apps.

open file.txt  
open -a "Safari"

Monitor System Performance:
Use top to view live system resource usage like CPU and memory. Exit with Ctrl + C.

top

Shut Down the Mac:
Use sudo shutdown for an immediate or scheduled shutdown.

sudo shutdown -h now  
sudo shutdown -h +30