Home directory (~) and shortcuts in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the tilde (~) symbol represent in the Linux command line?

The tilde (~) symbol is a shortcut that represents the current user's home directory. For example, cd ~ takes you to your home folder.

beginner

How can you quickly go to the home directory from anywhere in the terminal?

You can type cd ~ or simply cd without any arguments to go directly to your home directory.

intermediate

What is the difference between ~ and ~/ in Linux commands?

~ refers to the home directory itself, while ~/ refers to the home directory followed by a slash, which is used to specify files or folders inside the home directory. For example, ~/Documents means the Documents folder inside your home.

intermediate

What shortcut can you use to refer to the previous directory you were in?

You can use cd - to switch back to the last directory you were in before the current one. It acts like a toggle between two folders.

beginner

How do you use shortcuts to refer to the root directory and the current directory?

The root directory is represented by /. The current directory is represented by .. For example, cd / goes to root, and ./script.sh runs a script in the current folder.

What does the command cd ~ do?

A Deletes the home directory

B Takes you to the root directory

C Lists files in the current directory

D Takes you to your home directory

cd ~ changes the directory to your home folder, which is what the tilde (~) represents.

Which command switches you back to the previous directory you were in?

A cd -

B cd ..

C cd ~

D cd /

cd - toggles you back to the last directory you visited.

What does ~/Documents mean?

A Documents folder inside the home directory

B Documents folder inside the root directory

C A hidden folder named Documents

D The current directory

~ is your home directory, so ~/Documents points to the Documents folder inside your home.

What does the dot (.) represent in Linux paths?

A Home directory

B Root directory

C Current directory

D Parent directory

A single dot (.) means the current directory you are in.

What happens if you type cd with no arguments?

A It shows an error

B It goes to the home directory

C It goes to the root directory

D It stays in the current directory

Typing cd alone takes you to your home directory.

Explain how the tilde (~) shortcut helps you navigate in the Linux terminal.

Think about where you usually start when opening a terminal.

Describe the difference between the shortcuts ~, ., and / in Linux paths.

Consider the folder hierarchy and your position in it.