Terminal basics · Lesson 1 of 34 · 8 minutes

Navigation

Map the training server, learn where you are, and move through directories.

Open the lab Course map

Mastery 0/3Run itExplain itApply it

learner@clairos:~ $

Exit 0

Your objectives

Hints are always available. Wrong turns never cost XP.

1
Print your location
Run pwd to see the current directory.
Hint & worked example
Print the directory that relative paths currently resolve from.
The command outcome must match the task, including successful access or the explicitly requested failure.
```
pwd
```
Remember: A relative path is interpreted from the working directory, not necessarily the home folder.
2
List the server root
Run ls / to see the top-level lab folders.
Hint & worked example
List directory entries; -a includes hidden names and -l adds ownership and permission detail.
The command outcome must match the task, including successful access or the explicitly requested failure.
```
ls /
```
Remember: A listing is not proof that you can read or modify every listed file.
3
Read the hostname
Run cat /etc/hostname.
Hint & worked example
Read one or more files to standard output without editing their contents.
The command outcome must match the task, including successful access or the explicitly requested failure.
```
cat /etc/hostname
```
Remember: Reading a source file should precede changing it; avoid printing real secrets.

Understand the pattern

Good operators orient themselves before they edit, delete, or restart anything.

pwd: Print the directory that relative paths currently resolve from.
A relative path is interpreted from the working directory, not necessarily the home folder.
ls: List directory entries; -a includes hidden names and -l adds ownership and permission detail.
A listing is not proof that you can read or modify every listed file.
cat: Read one or more files to standard output without editing their contents.
Reading a source file should precede changing it; avoid printing real secrets.

Worked example and expected result

$ pwd

/home/learner

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

$ ls /

bin  etc  home  Library  srv  tmp  var

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

$ cat /etc/hostname

clairos-learn-lab

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

Try a variation

Repeat this workflow in the sandbox with a different scratch filename. Keep the system fixtures unchanged and compare the observed output with your expectation before moving on.

Explain it

In “Navigation”, which interpretation is safe?A command appearing in history proves it completed successfully.A successful first check guarantees that every dependent service is healthy.A listing is not proof that you can read or modify every listed file.

Apply it elsewhere

Before adapting the ls workflow from “Navigation” to another server, what should you do?Skip output inspection whenever the command is familiar.Confirm the current directory, target identity, permissions, and the installed command behavior first.Paste the training paths unchanged into production.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: Paths and shortcuts Try an incident drill

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