Here are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use to perform common tasks
quickly. There are many more than are listed here.
Visit http://sunsite.dk/linux-newbie/Linux_commands.htm#shortcuts for
more command line and keyboard shortcuts.
clear = clear the terminal. Type this at a command line
to clear all displayed data from the terminal window.
[Ctrl] + [l] = clear the terminal. This
shortcut does the same thing as typing "clear" at a command line.
history = show history of commands. Type this at a
command line to see a numbered list of the previous 500 commands you
typed. You can see a shorter list of commands by typing
history followed by a space and a number, for
example, history 20.
[Ctrl] + [u] = clear the current line. If
you are working in a terminal, use this shortcut to clear the current
line from the cursor all the way to the end of the line.
[Ctrl] + [e] or [a] = move cursor
to end or beginning of line, respectively. This
works in most text editors and in the URL field in
Mozilla.
[Ctrl + Tab] = switch tasks. If you have more than one application
open at a time, you can use [Alt] + [Tab] to
[Tab] = command autocomplete. Use this command when working in a terminal. Type the first few characters
of a command and then press the [Tab] key. It will automatically complete the
command or show all the commands that match the characters you
typed. This is a good time saver.
[Up/Down arrow] = show command history. When working in a
terminal, press the up arrow to see a history of commands
you have typed from the current directory (the down arrow moves you back
down through the list). When you see the command you
want to use, just press Enter. This can minimize retyping long commands over and over.
[Ctrl + Alt + Backspace] = kill X. Kills your current X
session and returns you to the login screen. Use this if
the normal exit procedure does not work.
[Ctrl + Alt + Delete] = shutdown and reboot. Shuts down your
current session and reboots the OS. Use only when the normal shutdown procedure
does not work.
exit = logout. Type this at a command line to
logout of the current user or root account.
[Ctrl] + [d] = logout of a terminal or console instead of having to type exit
or logout.
reset = refresh terminal screen. Type this at a
command line to refresh the terminal screen if characters are
unclear.
[middle mouse button] = pastes highlighted material. Use the left
mouse button to highlight material. Point the cursor to the spot where
you want it pasted. Click the middle mouse button to paste it.
[Ctrl + Alt + Fn] = switches
screens. [Ctrl] + [Alt] +
one of the function keys ([F1] through
[F7]) displays a new screen. F1 through F6 are text (console)
screens and F7 is a graphical screen.
