10 Best Command Cheat Sheets for Windows, Linux and macOS

Command Line Interface (CLI) gives you better control over your computer and helps you increase your productivity. 

Even in the age of wireless mouses, CLI is irreplaceable for many. You can control your computer or operating systems like Windows, Linux/Unix, or Mac by typing commands on a visual prompt displayed on your computer for various tasks. 

Numerous commands are available to help you perform tasks such as searching for a file, managing files and folders, changing settings, managing control panels, and many more. However, remembering them all is tedious and time-consuming.

This is why we have curated the best command line cheat sheets for Windows, Linux/Unix, and macOS to help you solve this problem.

Do have a look!

Git-tower.com: This command-line cheat sheet by Tower is for Windows and macOS. It features useful commands and tips and tricks to make it easy for people to work with a command-line interface. This two-page cheat sheet is designed not to overwhelm the readers using light colors and categories. It has commands for directories, files, search, output, network, permissions, processes, arrow keys, “TAB” key, “CTRL” key, combining commands, directing output, home folder, and more. 

Cheatography: This is quite a popular site for cheat sheets, where you can also find an excellent command line cheat sheet for Linux. It is created by Dave Child and contains important Linux commands with pop-up links directing the pages. This 2-page cheat sheet has bash commands, directory operations, nano shortcuts, bash shortcuts, search files, Is options, file permissions, file operations, bash variables, IO redirections, process management, command lists, and more. So, bookmark it on your browser or download its PDF file. 

Red Hat: This command-line cheat sheet is for Linux and is helpful for everyone looking for shortcuts from basic to advanced levels. In addition, they have included good examples to help you understand if your code is right. To download this free resource, you need to create an account. It will also teach you a lot about working with Linux for command line programming and scripting. It covers commands such as SSH, pwd, Is, whoami, cd target, cat, man cat, top, which, env, head [file], and a lot more.

MakeTechEasier: This one is for you if you are looking for a command-line cheat sheet for Windows. It will display the task name you are searching for among all 148 with a quick explanation for each. This easy to understand cheat sheet includes commands for task names such as, add a device, about Windows, advanced user accounts, backup and restore, authorization manager, calculator, certificates, Bluetooth transfer, changing computer performance settings, default location, control panel, display, disk cleanup & management, etc. 

FOSSwire: This command-line cheat sheet is for Unix/Linux. It is a page-page document that you can download and print to affix on a wall to take a look whenever you need to use a command while working in a V-env or VM. It is a handy resource for everyone, containing definitions and syntax for every command. It covers file commands, system info, process management, compression, file permissions, network, shortcuts, SSH, searching, and installation.

Makeuseof.tradepub.com: You can consider this command line cheat sheet curated for the Mac terminal if you are a macOS user. Get more control over your Mac computer using the command line for various tasks. It is available to download using your LinkedIn account. Here, you will find the commands with their straightforward descriptions to help you understand their usage quickly. 

cmdref.net: Another command line cheat sheet for Windows is here with helpful examples for better understanding. This is a comprehensive resource that you refer to while working with the Windows command line. It starts with a clear table of contents serving as a guide to picking the command line you want to use. It has proper explanations and examples for each section to help you learn. It contains various commands for systems, software, help, folder, control panel, DNS, file, time, port, proxy settings, and package. In addition, you will find reference tabs on Linux and HP-UX command line explanations with examples as well. 

cs.columbia.edu: This command-line cheat sheet is by Columbia University containing commonly used Windows commands. You can download this cheat sheet and save it on your PC to look at it when needed without remembering everything. They have curated the list of commands along with their usage and what they do on your PC. Here, you will find commands like dir, cd, copy, rm, md, move, ren, del, exit, echo, type, fc, cls, and help.

StationX: This cybersecurity platform for career development houses a good command line cheat sheet that you can easily download with a click. They have designed the cheat sheet with a table of content that helps you look through all the items quickly and choose what command you want to use. It has commands for system and hardware information, user information & management, performance monitoring & statistics, file & directory commands, file permissions, process management, networking, search, disk usage, SSH logins, archives, package installations, file transfers, and directory navigation. 

WeTheGeek: Visit WeTheGeek to find a useful Mac terminal command line cheat sheet that works for everyone. I loved this cheat sheet because the simple yet elegant use of text and color combinations makes reading interesting and easy. They have represented commands and their usage to help you understand when you should use a command line. It starts with basic commands, shortcuts, change directory, file and directory management, file and disk space, and goes all the way to network, homebrew, search, and output. 

Conclusion

The command line cheat sheets we just discussed will help you get better control on your computer no matter what operating system you use – Windows, Linux/Unix, or macOS. Download and save your favorite cheat sheet on your device or browser and refer to them to increase your productivity.