Linux Command Basics — Day 2: Build, Clone, and Reorganize

Objectives

• Create files and folders from terminal
• Copy, move, and rename items safely
• Delete files/folders with intent

Materials

• Ubuntu computers

Activities

Mission: Build, Clone, and Reorganize

Your Goal

You and your partner will build a mini project space and reorganize it using terminal commands only. You will discover what commands do by observing outcomes.

Allowed Tools

pwd
ls
cd
mkdir
touch
cp
mv
rm
rmdir

pwd
ls
cd
mkdir
touch
cp
mv
rm
rmdir

Rules

• Work in pairs; switch Driver/Navigator every 8-10 minutes.
• Record command evidence for each task.
• Use hint ladder only when needed.

Task A — Create Base Camp

Create this structure inside home:

• mission-day2/
• notes/
• drafts/
• archive/

Task B — Generate Artifacts

Create empty files:

• in notes/: idea1.txt, idea2.txt, checklist.txt
• in drafts/: draftA.txt, draftB.txt

Task C — Clone and Move

1. Copy idea1.txt into drafts/

2. Move draftB.txt into archive/

3. Rename draftA.txt to final_draft.txt

Task D — Cleanup Challenge

1. Delete one unnecessary file in notes/

2. Create temp/

3. Delete temp/ safely

Task E — Repair the Mess

Partner A creates one wrong-file placement and one wrong name. Partner B fixes using move/rename/copy/delete only. Then switch.

Hint Ladder

Hint 1

• One command creates folders
• One command creates empty files
• One command can move and rename

Hint 2

• Copy uses source → destination
• Deleting empty folders differs from deleting files
• Check pwd and ls before destructive actions

Hint 3

Try patterns:

mkdir foldername
touch filename.txt
cp source.txt destination/
mv oldname.txt newname.txt
mv file.txt otherfolder/
rm file.txt
rmdir emptyfolder

mkdir foldername
touch filename.txt
cp source.txt destination/
mv oldname.txt newname.txt
mv file.txt otherfolder/
rm file.txt
rmdir emptyfolder

Exit Ticket (Performance)

Individually:

1. Create folder exit2/

2. Create file exit2/proof.txt

3. Rename to done.txt

4. Copy done.txt to home

5. Delete exit2/done.txt

6. Delete exit2/

Then answer:

• Difference between copy and move
• Difference between deleting a file and an empty folder

Exit Ticket

Complete the 6-step performance task in terminal, then explain: copy vs move, and file delete vs folder delete.