A fresh Linux installation may look complete, but it often lacks the command-line tools that make the system truly efficient. Many everyday tasks—file searching, system monitoring, automation, and troubleshooting—are faster and more reliable in the terminal than in graphical apps. Installing the best CLI tools for Linux early helps you avoid common setup issues, work confidently in the terminal, and get more control over your system from day one.
Terminal Session Management and Workflow Control
Managing multiple terminal tasks can quickly become overwhelming, especially when running long commands, monitoring logs, or working over SSH. These tools help keep terminal sessions organized and persistent.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| tmux | Terminal session management | Persistent sessions, multitasking, SSH work |
tmux – Persistent Terminal Sessions
tmux allows you to split a single terminal into multiple panes and keep sessions running in the background. If your terminal closes or your SSH connection drops, your work continues uninterrupted. This makes tmux essential for remote servers, long-running scripts, and system monitoring.
File Navigation and Management in the Terminal
Graphical file managers are convenient, but they are not always available or efficient, especially on servers or minimal systems. Terminal-based file tools offer speed and flexibility without leaving the CLI.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight Commander (mc) | Terminal file manager | Browsing, copying, and managing files |
Midnight Commander (mc)
Midnight Commander provides a dual-pane interface inside the terminal, making it easy to move, copy, and rename files. It supports archives like .zip and .tar, remote connections over FTP and SFTP, and includes built-in tools for viewing, editing, and comparing files. It is particularly useful on systems without a full desktop environment.
Fast File and Content Searching
As your Linux system grows, locating files and searching content becomes more time-consuming. These tools dramatically speed up everyday searches.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| fd | File search | Quickly locating files |
| ripgrep (rg) | Text search | Searching logs, configs, code |
| fzf | Fuzzy search | Interactive file and command search |
fd
fd simplifies file searching with a cleaner syntax than find and delivers faster results. It automatically respects .gitignore, which makes it ideal for development and system directories alike.
ripgrep (rg)
ripgrep is designed for speed and safety. It searches text across directories while skipping binary files and hidden clutter. This makes it perfect for finding error messages in logs or settings in configuration files.
fzf
fzf adds interactive fuzzy search to your terminal. It works with files, command history, processes, and Git repositories. Once integrated into your shell, it significantly reduces typing and navigation time.
System Monitoring and Resource Usage
On a new Linux system, monitoring CPU, memory, and disk usage helps detect performance issues early. These tools provide different levels of insight depending on your needs.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| htop | Live process monitoring | Everyday system checks |
| atop | Historical monitoring | Diagnosing past performance issues |
| btop | Visual monitoring | Graph-based system overview |
htop, atop, and btop
htop offers an interactive, real-time view of running processes and resource usage. atop focuses on logging historical data, making it useful for troubleshooting after an issue has occurred. btop provides a more visual overview with graphs and meters, which some users find easier to interpret.
Installing at least one of these tools is strongly recommended.
Downloading, Cloning, and Installing Software
Many Linux tools, scripts, and setup guides assume certain utilities are already installed. These tools ensure you can download and install software reliably.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| git | Version control | Cloning repositories, managing configs |
| curl | Data transfer | APIs, install scripts |
| wget | File downloads | Large and resumable downloads |
git, curl, and wget
git is widely used not just for development, but also for managing dotfiles and downloading tools from repositories. curl is commonly used in installation scripts and API testing, while wget excels at downloading large files reliably.
Editing Files Directly from the Terminal
Even desktop Linux users eventually need to edit configuration files from the terminal. These editors are designed to work in both local and remote environments.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Vim | Terminal text editor | Editing configs over SSH |
| Emacs | Advanced editor (CLI mode) | Power users and automation |
Vim and Emacs
Vim is lightweight, fast, and available on almost every Linux system. It handles large files well and works reliably over SSH. Emacs also offers a powerful CLI mode, though many users prefer its graphical interface.
Command Help, Automation, and Maintenance
As you become more comfortable with Linux, automation and efficient documentation become increasingly important.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| tldr | Simplified command help | Learning new commands quickly |
| cron | Task scheduling | Automated jobs |
| rsync | File synchronization | Backups and transfers |
tldr, cron, and rsync
tldr provides short, practical examples for commands, which is helpful when you do not want to read full manual pages. cron allows you to schedule recurring tasks, while rsync is one of the most reliable tools for backups and file synchronization.
Optional Terminal Enhancements
These tools are not essential, but they are commonly used for quick system overviews and documentation.
| Tool | Purpose | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| neofetch | System info display | Quick system summaries |
| fastfetch | Faster system info | Lightweight terminal output |
Things to Know Before Installing CLI Tools on Linux
- Update your system before installing new packages
- Prefer official repositories whenever possible
- Avoid running unknown install scripts as root
- Test new tools on non-critical systems first
FAQs
What are the best CLI tools for Linux beginners?
The best CLI tools for Linux beginners are tmux, fd, ripgrep, fzf, htop, git, curl, and wget. These tools cover essential needs like terminal management, file searching, system monitoring, and software installation, without requiring advanced Linux knowledge.
Which CLI tools should I install first on a new Linux machine?
On a new Linux machine, you should install tmux for session management, fd and ripgrep for searching files and text, htop for monitoring system resources, and git, curl, and wget for downloading and managing software. These tools provide a strong foundation before installing desktop apps or development tools.
Are CLI tools necessary if Linux already has a graphical interface?
Yes, CLI tools are still necessary even if Linux has a graphical interface. Many system-level tasks such as troubleshooting, configuration changes, automation, and remote access are faster and more reliable through the command line. Most graphical tools also rely on CLI utilities in the background.
Is tmux really worth installing on day one?
tmux is worth installing on day one because it prevents lost work when terminal windows close or SSH connections drop. It allows persistent sessions, split panes, and better multitasking, making it especially useful for long-running commands and remote servers.
What is the difference between fd, ripgrep, and fzf?
fd is used to quickly find files by name, ripgrep searches text inside files at high speed, and fzf provides interactive fuzzy search across files, commands, and history. Together, they make navigating and searching a Linux system significantly faster than traditional tools.
Do I need both curl and wget on Linux?
Yes, having both curl and wget is useful. curl is commonly used for APIs and installation scripts, while wget is better for downloading large files and resuming interrupted downloads. Many Linux guides and tools expect at least one of them to be available.
Which system monitoring tool is best: htop, atop, or btop?
htop is best for everyday real-time monitoring, atop is useful for analyzing past system performance, and btop provides a visual overview of system resources. Most users start with htop and add others as needed.
Are Vim or Emacs required for Linux systems?
Vim or Emacs are not strictly required, but having at least one terminal-based editor is important. Vim is lightweight, widely available, and works well over SSH, making it a common choice for editing configuration files on Linux systems.
Are these CLI tools safe to install?
Yes, all the CLI tools listed are safe to install when obtained from official Linux repositories. Avoid running unknown install scripts from random websites, and always update your system before installing new packages.
Will these CLI tools work on all Linux distributions?
Most of these CLI tools work on all major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and openSUSE. Package names may vary slightly, but functionality remains the same across distributions.
A new Linux system becomes far more capable once the right CLI tools are installed. Tools like tmux, fd, ripgrep, fzf, htop, git, and curl provide a strong foundation for both everyday tasks and advanced workflows.
By setting up these tools early, you reduce future troubleshooting time and gain confidence working directly with the Linux terminal. If issues arise later, these same tools are often the ones that help you resolve them quickly and safely.
