nano Basics
You're SSH'd into a server. You need to edit a config file. No VS Code, no GUI. This is where terminal editors shine.
nano is the beginner-friendly choice. It shows you what to do at the bottom of the screen.
Open a File
Terminal
$nano filename.txt
(opens file in nano)
If the file doesn't exist, nano creates it when you save.
Terminal
$nano /etc/hosts
(opens system file - may need sudo)
$sudo nano /etc/hosts
(opens with write permission)
The nano Interface
GNU nano 6.2 /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.1.1 mycomputer
# The following lines are desirable for IPv6
::1 ip6-localhost ip6-loopback
^G Help ^O Write Out ^W Where Is ^K Cut ^U Paste
^X Exit ^R Read File ^\ Replace ^J Justify ^T Spell
The bottom two lines show keyboard shortcuts. ^ means Ctrl.
Essential Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+O | Save (Write Out) |
Ctrl+X | Exit |
Ctrl+K | Cut line |
Ctrl+U | Paste |
Ctrl+W | Search |
Ctrl+G | Help |
Save and Exit
Terminal
$# After editing, press:
$Ctrl+O
File Name to Write: filename.txt
$Enter
(confirms filename, saves)
$Ctrl+X
(exits nano)
Or save and exit in one go:
- Press
Ctrl+X - nano asks "Save modified buffer?"
- Press
Y(yes) - Confirm filename with Enter
Editing Text
Just type. nano works like any normal editor. Arrow keys move the cursor.
Terminal
$# Navigation
$Arrow keys
Move cursor
$Ctrl+A
Beginning of line
$Ctrl+E
End of line
$Ctrl+Y
Page up
$Ctrl+V
Page down
Search and Replace
Search
Terminal
$Ctrl+W
Search:
$# Type search term, press Enter
$Ctrl+W then Enter
(find next occurrence)
Search and Replace
Terminal
$Ctrl+\
Search (to replace):
$# Type search term
$Enter
Replace with:
$# Type replacement
$A
(replace All)
Cut, Copy, Paste
Terminal
$Ctrl+K
(cut current line)
$Ctrl+U
(paste)
$
$# To cut multiple lines:
$Ctrl+K Ctrl+K Ctrl+K
(cut 3 lines)
$Ctrl+U
(paste all 3)
Copy Without Cutting
Terminal
$Alt+6
(copy line)
$Ctrl+U
(paste)
nano Is Always Available
nano is installed on virtually every Linux system. When you can't remember vim commands or the server doesn't have your favorite editor, nano is there.
Go to Line Number
Terminal
$Ctrl+_
Enter line number:
$50
(jumps to line 50)
Or open directly at a line:
Terminal
$nano +50 filename.txt
(opens at line 50)
Knowledge Check
How do you save a file in nano?
Quick Reference
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+O | Save |
Ctrl+X | Exit |
Ctrl+K | Cut line |
Ctrl+U | Paste |
Ctrl+W | Search |
Ctrl+\ | Replace |
Ctrl+_ | Go to line |
Ctrl+G | Help |
Key Takeaways
- nano shows shortcuts at the bottom (
^= Ctrl) Ctrl+Osaves,Ctrl+XexitsCtrl+Kcuts,Ctrl+UpastesCtrl+Wsearches- Perfect for quick edits when you need something simple
- Available on almost every Linux system
Next: introduction to vim - the powerful (and intimidating) editor.