Overview

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Become fluent at the Linux terminal — the working environment every Linux user lives in. This hands-on, practical course takes you from zero to a real command-line workflow without installing anything locally. Over five weeks you set up a free Linux environment in GitHub Codespaces or a cloud shell, learn the bash, zsh, and sh shells, and master the file-and-directory commands every Linux user types daily. Instructor Alfredo Deza brings over a decade of working with Linux day in and day out — installing servers, building infrastructure, and shipping software on Linux every step of the way. The course focuses on the doing rather than the configuration: every lesson is a recorded screen session you can follow along with, using Linux that is readily available rather than fighting an install. By the end you navigate the filesystem with cd, pwd, ls, and globs; resolve binaries with which and PATH; recall commands with history and tab completion; and copy files and directories with cp. The same skills the rest of the rust-de specialization assumes you already have.

Syllabus

Week 1: Getting Set Up

This module gets you ready to use the terminal with confidence. You will set up a working command-line environment, learn the difference between local terminals and cloud-based shells, meet your instructor, and pick up the practical habits that make every later lesson easier. By the end, you will have a tested setup, a clear mental model for what a terminal is, and the comfort needed to start running real commands.

Week 2: Cloud Shells and Codespaces Limits

In this module you will learn how to keep moving when your local terminal is not available. You will explore browser-based shells and Codespaces, see what makes them similar to and different from a local environment, and learn the practical limits to be aware of, such as session timeouts, storage caps, and quotas. By the end you will know when a cloud shell is the right tool, and how to plan around its constraints.

Week 3: The Shell and Basic Commands

This module introduces the shell itself and the small set of commands you will use every day. You will learn what a shell does, how to discover information about your system, and how to read built-in help so you can keep learning on your own. By the end you will be able to navigate confidently using the most common commands and feel comfortable working in a real terminal session.

Week 4: Files and Directories

In this module you will move from talking about the shell to actually using it on real files and folders. You will change directories, list and copy files, use globbing and wildcards to act on many files at once, and copy whole directories safely. By the end you will be comfortable navigating a project, understanding paths, and using the most common file commands without hesitation.

Capstone

The capstone gives you a chance to put everything together. You will work through a critical thinking assessment that asks you to apply what you learned about shells, paths, and file commands to realistic scenarios, and you will spend time in a Linux sandbox where you can practice freely without breaking anything important. By the end you will have proof, to yourself and others, that you can use the terminal to get real work done.