Essential Linux Commands Every Tester Must Master

Linux value for testing

Testers use Linux to read environment logs, troubleshoot issues, set up and deploy test environments, run load‑test scripts, and execute automation and CI pipelines.

Practice environment setup

Options include installing a Linux virtual machine with VirtualBox or VMware, using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) – see the article at http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA5MjEwNzU4OQ==∣=2247487715&idx=1&sn=c49c109a6666d4504861c3e035fcd24e, or renting a low‑cost cloud server (a longer initial term reduces renewal fees).

SSH client options

FinalShell – a free SSH tool that bundles a JDK; some organizations may restrict its use.

electerm – an open‑source SSH client; releases are available at https://github.com/electerm/electerm/releases.

Common Linux commands

Directory navigation

cd

– change directory, e.g., cd / to go to the root. pwd – display the current directory. cd ~ – change to the current user's home directory, e.g., /home/xiaobotester for user xiaobotester. ls – list file names in the current directory. ll – list files with detailed information.

File operations

cp test.txt test.backup.txt

– copy a file. mv a.txt /home/b.txt – move or rename a file. touch a.txt – create an empty file. mkdir -p /home/xxx/xxxtest/study – create a directory hierarchy, creating missing parents. ./api.sh – execute a script in the current directory.

File editing with vi

Enter insert mode with i, save and quit with :wq, and exit insert mode with Esc. The editor is used to modify configuration files such as nginx during deployment.

File viewing commands

cat log.txt

– display the whole file. more log.txt and less log.txt – paginate output; less reads data lazily, allowing handling of larger files. tail -100 log.txt – show the last 100 lines. tail -f log.txt – follow a growing log file in real time. head -10 log.txt – show the first 10 lines.