Day 5 of 14 · VPS + OpenClaw

Linux Survival Guide

⏱ 6 min 📊 Beginner

You are logged into your server via SSH. Now what? Your VPS runs Ubuntu Linux, and there is no graphical interface — just a blinking cursor waiting for commands. That can feel intimidating, but you only need about ten commands to manage your server confidently. This lesson teaches every one of them.

Cheat sheet showing essential Linux commands with short descriptions

These ten commands cover 90% of what you will do on your server.

Navigating the Filesystem

Your server's files are organized in a tree starting at `/` (called "root"). Here are the commands you need to move around:

- `pwd` — Print Working Directory. Shows where you are right now.

- `ls` — List files and folders in the current directory. Add `-la` to see hidden files and details: `ls -la`.

- `cd` — Change Directory. Use `cd /home` to go to the home folder, or `cd ..` to go up one level.

- `cat` — Display the contents of a file. Example: `cat /etc/hostname` shows your server's name.

Try this now: run `pwd`, then `ls -la`, then `cd /var` and run `ls` again. You are exploring your server's filesystem.

Editing Files and Installing Software

- `nano` — A simple text editor that runs in your terminal. Open a file with `nano filename.txt`, make changes, then press Ctrl+O to save and Ctrl+X to exit.

- `sudo` — Run a command with administrator privileges. Many commands need this. Example: `sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config`.

- `apt update` — Refresh the list of available software packages.

- `apt install` — Install new software. Example: `sudo apt install curl` installs the curl download tool.

- `apt upgrade` — Update all installed software to the latest versions.

A common pattern you will use often: `sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y`. This refreshes the package list and installs all available updates in one go. The `-y` flag automatically answers "yes" to confirmation prompts.

Knowledge Check

Which command shows your current location in the filesystem?

A

cd

B

ls

C

pwd

D

cat

pwd stands for Print Working Directory. It displays the full path of the directory you are currently in.

Knowledge Check

What does the `sudo` command do?

A

Runs a command with administrator privileges

B

Switches to a different user account

C

Shuts down the server

D

Downloads a file from the internet

sudo (short for "superuser do") lets you run commands as the system administrator. Many important operations require this elevated access.

Knowledge Check

How do you save a file in the nano text editor?

A

Press Ctrl+X

B

Press Ctrl+S

C

Type :wq and press Enter

D

Press Ctrl+O

In nano, Ctrl+O writes (saves) the file. Ctrl+X exits the editor. The :wq shortcut belongs to a different editor called vim.

🦞

OpenClaw 🦞

online

I accidentally typed a command and the terminal seems frozen. How do I stop it?

No worries! Press **Ctrl+C** — this cancels whatever command is currently running. It's the universal "stop" button in Linux. If that doesn't work, try **Ctrl+D** to close the session, then SSH back in. And if you're stuck inside the nano editor, press **Ctrl+X** to exit. It will ask if you want to save — press N if you don't. 🦞

↻ Replay conversation

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Day 5 Complete

"Ten commands — pwd, ls, cd, cat, nano, sudo, apt update, apt install, apt upgrade, and Ctrl+C — are all you need to manage your server."

Tomorrow — Day 6

Securing Your Server

Lock down your VPS with a firewall, fail2ban, and automatic security updates.

Continue to Day 6 →