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📝 Nano Editor (Beginner Friendly)

What is Nano?

Nano is a terminal-based text editor in Linux.

📌 Think of Nano like:

• Notepad, but inside the terminal
• Very easy compared to vi / vim

How to open Nano

Open a file (or create if not exists)

nano file.txt

• If file.txt exists → it opens
• If not → Nano creates it

Nano screen layout

When Nano opens, you’ll see:

• Top → File name
• Middle → Text area (where you type)
• Bottom → Shortcut keys

Example at bottom:

^G Get Help   ^O Write Out   ^X Exit

👉 ^ means CTRL

So:

• ^X = CTRL + X
• ^O = CTRL + O

MOST IMPORTANT Nano commands ⭐

1️⃣ Save file

CTRL + O

• Write Out (save)
• Press Enter to confirm file name

2️⃣ Exit Nano

CTRL + X

If file is not saved:

• Nano will ask → Save? (Y/N)

3️⃣ Cut a line

CTRL + K

• Cuts (removes) the current line
• Works like cut, not copy

4️⃣ Paste a line

CTRL + U

• Pastes the last cut line

5️⃣ Search text

CTRL + W

• Search for a word in the file

6️⃣ Replace text

CTRL + \

• Search and replace

Navigation commands 🧭

Selecting text (Mark mode)

Start selection

CTRL + ^

(or CTRL + SHIFT + 6)

• Move cursor to select text

Cut selected text

CTRL + K

Undo / Redo

Show line numbers (very useful)

Inside Nano:

ALT + N

Or open with line numbers:

nano -l file.txt

Help inside Nano 🆘

CTRL + G

Shows:

• All commands
• Key combinations

Real-world usage examples (VERY COMMON)

Edit config file

nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Edit app config

nano application.properties

Edit crontab file

crontab -e

(Default editor is often Nano)

Why Nano is beginner-friendly ❤️

✔ No modes (unlike vim) ✔ Commands always visible ✔ Easy save & exit ✔ Simple shortcuts

Quick cheat sheet 📌