# What Is the Command Line Interface (CLI)?

The Command Line Interface (CLI) is a text-based way of using your computer. Instead of clicking buttons or using a mouse, you type commands — and the computer responds.

If you’ve ever used Microsoft Word, you know the usual steps:
You open the app, click “New Document,” start typing, and then click “Save.”

That’s you interacting with your computer using something called a Graphical User Interface (GUI) — it’s visual, click-based, and user-friendly.

Now imagine doing the same thing — but by typing just one line:

`echo "My journal entry" > journal.txt`

This command instantly creates a file called journal.txt and puts your sentence inside it — without opening any apps, clicking any buttons, or touching your mouse.

That’s the Command Line Interface in action.
## CLI vs GUI

Most people use their computers through a GUI — like opening folders, dragging files, or using apps like Word and Chrome. It’s great for everyday tasks.

But developers often use a CLI — where you give instructions to your computer by typing commands.

On Windows, this is called Command Prompt or Git Bash.
On macOS and Linux, it’s just called the Terminal.
## Why Use the CLI?

You might be wondering: Why would anyone want to type commands when clicking is easier?

Here are a few reasons:
1. ***It’s Faster***

Once you learn a few commands, it’s often quicker to do things in the terminal.
Example: Instead of clicking around to find a folder, you just type:

cd Documents/projects

and you’re there.
2. ***It Helps You Stay Organized***

Imagine you want to create a folder for your school work and save daily notes. You can do all of that with just a few short commands — without switching between apps.
3. ***It Works Everywhere***

Many programming tools and environments only work in the terminal. If you want to run a web server, install software, use version control (like Git), or build a project — the terminal is where it happens.

That’s why developers learn the CLI early — it’s a tool you’ll use every day.
## CLI vs GUI — Side-by-Side

| Feature | Command Line Interface | Graphical User Interface |
| -------- | -------- | -------- |
| Interface Type | Type commands in a text window | Click buttons, menus, and icons |
|Memory Requirement|Low|High (because of graphics and animations)|
|Speed & Efficiency|Faster once you learn the basics|Slower for repetitive tasks|
|What You Need|Just a keyboard|Keyboard and mouse|
|How It Feels | Like giving instructions | Like exploring with a mouse|

## How to Access the Command Line

Here’s how to open the terminal on your computer:
### Windows

`Press Windows Key + S`
or
press windows key and search for `cmd` and Click to open it

### macOS

Option 1:
1. Open Finder
2. 2. Go to Applications > Utilities
3. 3. Open Terminal

Option 2:
1. Press Command + Space
2. 2. Type terminal
3. 3. Press Enter

### Linux (Ubuntu or similar)

Press CTRL + ALT + T

Or search for “Terminal” from your app launcher.

## Open Terminal/CLI on VSCode
check this short [video](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=a4b38bb1e8b0b431&sxsrf=AHTn8zp3Hb23cWnGw76jRUI4k3Ain1SKBw:1747410113279&q=how+to+open+terminal+in+visual+studio+code+windows&udm=7&fbs=ABzOT_CWdhQLP1FcmU5B0fn3xuWp6IcynRBrzjy_vjxR0KoDMnCPR1aB39SejwIm6m0bxhN_5AkbFQt2gnC9-5FyB1ilzmzFvBcMLGsJmuTTnlYbCDHGk2jXicLiefqV5GS-zS-oUcbCTphhBfTuIgWhG5B4N14V7HvYQvBVdq08FzE8lzDdyUaIKiTqCKz4taQUE7sxC1G1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbztD4qaiNAxVtX0EAHRTLEWAQtKgLegQIFBAB&biw=1512&bih=823&dpr=2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:aa98feb4,vid:O3Gt7bI4p8g,st:0)

## Basic Commands
- working with [**cd**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBBWVgE0ewk) command
- working **dir**(for windows) or **ls**(for mac/linux) [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ABkcHLdG_A&list=PL6gx4Cwl9DGDV6SnbINlVUd0o2xT4JbMu&index=2)
- working with directories [mkdir video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODk8CoSLofA&list=PL6gx4Cwl9DGDV6SnbINlVUd0o2xT4JbMu&index=4)
- working with [path](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HK1BsRprt0&list=PL6gx4Cwl9DGDV6SnbINlVUd0o2xT4JbMu&index=5)
- working with [files](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM7VPEatggE&list=PL6gx4Cwl9DGDV6SnbINlVUd0o2xT4JbMu&index=8)
- copy and move [files](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNrhLdo8qas&list=PL6gx4Cwl9DGDV6SnbINlVUd0o2xT4JbMu&index=9)

## Task

for the following tasks(except task 7) kindly perform all using your command line. **DO NOT USE GUI**.
1. Change your working directory to `Desktop`
2. Inside the `Desktop` directory create a new directory called `code-school`.
3. change dir to `code-school`
4. create 3 more dir/folder `personal`,`projects`,`plans` inside `code-school`
5. change dir to `plans` and create 4 files; `index.html`,`aboutme.html`, `index.css`, `index.js` and 1 dir called `images`
6. copy everything in `plans` to `personal` directory and delete `plans` directory
7. submission take a screenshot of the terminal you used in completing the task and drop on the whatsapp channel.