Access Files and Directories Using Terminal

As a developer, working with the terminal is an essential skill. It allows you to quickly navigate folders, create files, delete directories, and manage your project structure efficiently — without using the mouse. In this guide, I will explain the most important terminal commands for file and folder management, with clear examples.

This works on:

Windows PowerShell

Git Bash

macOS Terminal

Linux Terminal

📂 Directory Navigation Commands

These commands help you move between folders and drives.

Command	Description	Example
`cd`	Shows current directory	`cd`
`cd foldername`	Enter a folder	`cd Projects`
`cd ..`	Go to parent folder	`cd ..`
`cd /`	Go to root directory	`cd /`
`cd ~`	Go to home directory	`cd ~`
`D:`	Switch drive (Windows)	`D:`

Example

cd C:\Users\Aminul\Projects

This moves into the Projects folder.

📄 List Files and Folders

These commands show directory contents.

Command	Description
`ls`	Lists files and folders
`ls -a`	Lists all files including hidden
`dir`	Lists files (Windows)

Example:

ls

Output:

src
package.json
README.md

📁 Create Folder Commands

These commands create folders.

Command	Description
`mkdir foldername`	Create folder
`mkdir folder1 folder2`	Create multiple folders
`mkdir -p folder/subfolder`	Create nested folders

Example

mkdir project

Creates:

project/

Create Multiple Nested Folders (Professional Structure)

mkdir -p src/{app,modules,middlewares}

Creates:

src/
 ├── app/
 ├── modules/
 └── middlewares/

This is very useful for Node.js, Next.js, and backend projects.

📄 Create File Commands

These commands create files.

Command	Description
`touch filename`	Create file
`touch file1 file2`	Create multiple files
`touch folder/file`	Create file inside folder

Example

touch app.ts

Creates:

app.ts

Create Multiple Files

touch src/{app.ts,server.ts}

Creates:

src/
 ├── app.ts
 └── server.ts

Create Multiple Files Using Range

touch file{1..5}.txt

Creates:

file1.txt
file2.txt
file3.txt
file4.txt
file5.txt

🗑️ Delete File and Folder Commands

These commands delete files and folders.

Command	Description
`rm filename`	Delete file
`rm file1 file2`	Delete multiple files
`rm -r foldername`	Delete folder
`rm -rf foldername`	Force delete folder

Example:

rm app.ts

Deletes:

app.ts

⚠️ Warning:

rm -rf foldername

This permanently deletes without confirmation.

Use carefully.

✏️ Rename and Move Commands

These commands rename and move files.

Command	Description
`mv oldname newname`	Rename file
`mv file folder/`	Move file
`mv folder1 folder2`	Rename folder

Example:

mv app.ts server.ts

Renames file.

Example:

mv app.ts src/

Moves file into src folder.

🧹 Clear Terminal

Clears terminal screen.

clear

or (Windows)

cls

🚀 Real Developer Example (Project Setup)

mkdir -p src/{app,modules,middlewares,config}
touch src/{app.ts,server.ts}
touch src/config/{env.ts,db.ts}

Final structure:

src/
 ├── app/
 ├── modules/
 ├── middlewares/
 ├── config/
 │    ├── env.ts
 │    └── db.ts
 ├── app.ts
 └── server.ts

💡 Why Developers Use Terminal Instead of File Explorer

Faster

More efficient

Professional workflow

Better for automation

Essential for backend development

Required for Git, Node.js, Next.js, Docker

Aminul Islam

Access Files and Directories Using Terminal

📂 Directory Navigation Commands

Example

📄 List Files and Folders

📁 Create Folder Commands

Example

Create Multiple Nested Folders (Professional Structure)

📄 Create File Commands

Example

Create Multiple Files

Create Multiple Files Using Range

🗑️ Delete File and Folder Commands

✏️ Rename and Move Commands

🧹 Clear Terminal

🚀 Real Developer Example (Project Setup)

💡 Why Developers Use Terminal Instead of File Explorer

Bash Terminal Cheat Sheet

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