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Jun 6
From here come some interesting hints.
  • In bash, type alt + ., or esc + . to append the last argument from the last command. Repeat to go back up the command stack. You can also use alt + 1 alt + . to get the first command, etc.
  • Use du to summarize disk usage for directories only, via du -h –max-depth=1.
  • Use readline to edit a command in an editor: ctrl-x ctrl-e. Make sure you set $EDITOR. Can also use fc (fix command) to do this for the last command.
  • To create or wipe a file, use > filename. Compare: touch filename.
  • Quickly look at ascii character codes with man ascii.
  • Nice simple stopwatch with time read (then enter). Or for a countdown timer, read -t 5 for 5 seconds.
  • Use pushd /path/to/dir instead of cd, then popd to get back.
  • Use alt + b, alt + f to move forwards/ by a word. You can use numeric arguments as well.
  • Kill a word backwards with ctrl + w, then ctrl + y to yank. Rotate kill ring with alt + y. Kill word forwards with alt + d.
  • Kill backwards to the start of the line with ctrl + u.
  • Use alt + t to transpose the last two words.
  • alt + \ will remove all whitespace around the cursor.
A nice trick to copy your ssh key to a remote machine:
ssh remote-machine 'cat >> .ssh/authorized_keys' < .ssh/identity.pub
Tunnel ssh via an intermediate host, or otherwise use a pseudo-tty:
ssh -t reachable_host ssh unreachable_host