# What is the Command Line? ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/022/215/medium800/raspberry_pi_percent.png?1420569446) [OK now you have a Linux computer](../../../what-is-linux), and you are ready to make it do your bidding! We're going to cover how to send commands to your Linux machine using the **command line** - you know, a line where you send commands! In order to start typing those commands (list files! print this one out! open the web browser!) you will use a **shell** - a shell is a little like the Finder on Macs, or the desktop Explorer on windows, but is not graphical - it uses only TEXT. A shell is a program with a **command-line interface** which you talk to with a **terminal**. Terminals are software or hardware that let you send text back and forth to a computer. Shells offer a very specific _kind_ of command line, but what we mean in general by that term is an interface where a user types commands and the computer responds. The **shell** provides the command line dialect used to navigate the files on a machine, run programs, and generally stitch things together to solve problems. You may be a little puzzled about the way "command line", "terminal" and "shell" work together - don't worry! Although _technically_ they are different parts of a whole, they are often used interchangeably, as in "open up a terminal", "get to the command line", or "start up a shell" - these are all basically the same thing. My shell looks like this: ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/975/medium800thumb/raspberry_pi_hello_world.jpg?1448314343) In this guide, we'll talk a little about where the command line comes from and why it's still so important, explain how to get a shell on the Raspberry Pi (and other systems), and begin to outline how it can be useful in your own work. - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/what-is-the-command-line/ancient-history.md) ## Featured Products ### Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ Starter Pack - Includes a Raspberry Pi 1 [Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ Starter Pack - Includes a Raspberry Pi 1](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2125) You're going to work hard with your Raspberry Pi B+.  You're going to have to solder, code, and Linux your Maker heart out.  That's why we've tried to make it as easy as possible to start - by combining the Raspberry Pi B+ with what we think are the best... 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In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/954) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/954/guides) ## Related Guides - [Network Interface Failover using FONA](https://learn.adafruit.com/network-interface-failover-using-fona.md) - [Adafruit OLED Displays for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-oled-displays-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Adafruit BrainCraft HAT - Easy Machine Learning for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-braincraft-hat-easy-machine-learning-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Adafruit's Raspberry Pi Lesson 2. First Time Configuration](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruits-raspberry-pi-lesson-2-first-time-configuration.md) - [Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Pico and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/getting-started-with-raspberry-pi-pico-circuitpython.md) - [Raspberry Pi Pico and LED Arcade Button MIDI Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-pico-led-arcade-button-midi-controller-fighter.md) - [Raspberry Pi Computer Quick-Start](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-computer-quick-start.md) - [An Illustrated Guide to Shell Magic: Typing Less & Doing More](https://learn.adafruit.com/an-illustrated-guide-to-shell-magic-typing-less-and-doing-more.md) - [Using a Raspberry Pi as a Router](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-a-raspberry-pi-as-a-router.md) - [DIY ESP8266 Home Security with Lua and MQTT](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-esp8266-home-security-with-lua-and-mqtt.md) - [Raspberry Pi Kernel-o-Matic](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-kernel-o-matic.md) - [reef-pi Guide 2: Power Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-power-controller.md) - [Step Switch Party](https://learn.adafruit.com/step-switch-party.md) - [Raspberry Pi Camera Timelapse Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pi-timelapse.md) - [Using Weird Displays with Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-weird-displays-with-raspberry-pi.md)