Pragmatic AI Labs

Terminal From Zero

Pragmatic AI Labs

Terminal From Zero

Noah Gift
Alfredo Deza

Instructors: Noah Gift

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Set up a free Linux environment in your browser using GitHub Codespaces, Google Cloud Shell, or Azure Cloud Shell — no local install required

  • Use the shell fluently — bash, zsh, history recall, tab completion, the which command, variables, and the PATH variable — like a daily user

  • Navigate and manipulate the Linux filesystem with cd, pwd, ls, globbing wildcards, and cp for both files and directories

Details to know

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Recently updated!

May 2026

Assessments

1 assignment

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

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.

What's included

7 videos14 readings

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.

What's included

3 videos6 readings

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.

What's included

8 videos15 readings

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.

What's included

5 videos10 readings

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.

What's included

1 reading1 assignment1 ungraded lab

Instructors

Noah Gift
Pragmatic AI Labs
36 Courses2,532 learners
Alfredo Deza
Pragmatic AI Labs
29 Courses1,103 learners

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