- What a CLI is and why professionals prefer it for many tasks.
- How to open the terminal on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- The four commands you need to navigate your folders.
- How not to break anything.
What Is a CLI
CLI stands for Command Line Interface: a way to use your computer by typing commands instead of clicking with the mouse.
Opening the Terminal
- Mac: press Cmd + Space, type "Terminal", and press Enter.
- Windows: open the Start menu, type "Terminal" (or "PowerShell"), and open it.
- Linux: usually Ctrl + Alt + T.
You'll see a window with text and a blinking cursor. That's the prompt—it's waiting for your commands.
The Four Commands for Getting Around
With these four, you can handle almost everything in the book:
pwd # ¿en qué carpeta estoy? (print working directory) ls # ¿qué hay aquí? (list) cd carpeta # entra en "carpeta" (change directory) cd .. # sube a la carpeta de arriba
Try this sequence without fear (it doesn't change anything—just look):
pwd ls cd .. ls
Practice Challenge
Open the terminal, use cd to get to your Downloads folder, and type ls to see what's inside. Once you've done that, you know how to get around—you're ready for the rest of the book.