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Linux Navigation Tree

Before you can navigate, you need to know where you are.

Your Prompt

Let's check what it means:

username@hostname:~$ [you type here]
Part Example Meaning
Username bob Who you are
Hostname laptop Which computer
Current directory ~ Where you are ~ = /home/your-username
Prompt symbol $ Ready for a command

Directory = Folder

Same thing. Terminal people say "directory." UI people say "folder." Both mean a place to store files.

tree - See the filesystem visually

tree shows your directories as a visual tree

tree   # check if you have tree in your system

Common Options

Option What it does
-L 2 Limit to 2 levels deep
-d Show directories only (no files)
-a Show hidden files

Everything in Linux starts from the root /

Linux treats everything as a file. For example, a directory is just a file that contains a list of other files.

Simplified

      / (root)
          │
    ┌─────┴─────┬─────────┐
    │           │         │
  /home       /etc      more...
(users)   (settings)
    │
  ┌─┴─────┐
  │       │
diogo    bob → You start here at ~ or /home/your-username
  │
  ├─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐
  │         │         │         │
Documents Downloads Desktop  more...

In-depth

Optional Information

You don't need to know this as a beginner but it does not hurt to take a brief look.

/
├── home/
│   └── your-username/              ← ~ (your home directory)
│       ├── Documents/
│       ├── Downloads/
│       ├── Desktop/
│       ├── Pictures/
│       ├── Music/
│       └── Videos/
│
├── boot/                   ← Files needed to start Linux
├── etc/                    ← System configuration files
├── var/                    ← Variable data (logs, caches)
│   └── log/                ← Log files (for debugging)
│
├── usr/                    ← User programs and files
│   ├── bin/                ← Most commands (ls, cd, pwd)
│   ├── lib/                ← Shared libraries
│   └── local/              ← Programs you install manually
│
├── tmp/                    ← Temporary files (deleted on restart)
├── dev/                    ← Device files (USB, drives, etc.)
├── mnt/                    ← Temporary mount point
├── media/                  ← Removable media (USB, DVD)
│
├── proc/                   ← Running processes (virtual)
├── sys/                    ← System information (virtual)
├── run/                    ← Runtime data (since last boot)
└── srv/                    ← Service data (web servers, etc.)

90% of your time will be spent in /home/your-username/ and its subdirectories.

Command Options What it does
tree -L, -d, -a Show filesystem as a tree (depth limit, directories only, all files)
Path What it means
/ Root directory (everything starts here)
~ Your home directory /home/your-username
/home/ Where all user directories live
/etc/ System configuration
/var/log/ Log files
/usr/bin/ Most commands - ls, cd, etc.
/tmp/ Temporary files (cleared on reboot)

Check Your Understanding

Test yourself on these tree concepts in Linux.

1. The ~ Symbol

You see your-username@laptop:~$ in your prompt.

What does the ~ symbol represent?

Reveal Answer

Your home directory: /home/your-username

2. The / Symbol

You're trying to understand where Linux begins.

What is /?

Reveal Answer

The root directory - everything in Linux starts here

3. Where Commands Live

You're curious where programs like ls and cd are stored on disk.

Where do most Linux commands live?

Reveal Answer

/usr/bin/

4. Most of Your Time

A friend tells you: "90% of your time will be in one place."

Where will you spend most of your time?

Reveal Answer

/home/your-username/ - your home directory, ~

5. See the Tree

You are no ~ and want to explore your filesystem visually, but only 2 levels deep.

What command do you type?

Reveal Answer

tree -L 2