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