The TL;DR is that the terminal is a way to control your computer using text commands instead of a graphical interface with a mouse. It’s not essential, but it can be way quicker.
To access the terminal in Ubuntu Studio:
Press Ctrl+Alt+T
OR
Search for ‘Konsole’ in the application launcher
If you’ve never used a command line before, it’s really not as scary as it seems. The terminal has become a defining feature of Linux, but it’s not unique – it still exists on Mac and Windows too, but everyday users don’t really need to touch them.
Linux has traditionally attracted users with a technical background, which is why the terminal is such a big part of the culture – and in many ways it can be much more efficient than clicking and dragging around a GUI.
However, it’s not meant to replace the desktop entirely — think of it as another tool in your kit. The GUI is great for browsing the web or editing documents, but the terminal shines when you want precision, automation, or direct control. Sometimes typing one command is faster than clicking through menus, especially for repetitive tasks.
Next up, we’ll look at the essential terminal commands.
Ready to dive in? – 3 Terminal Commands For Beginners
