Linux to PowerShell: Command Translation & Key Differences

PowerShell includes built-in aliases for many common Linux commands, allowing you to type familiar commands like ls, cd, and cat directly into the Windows terminal.

However, underneath the hood, PowerShell does not execute Unix binaries. It translates these aliases into official object-oriented Windows cmdlets (e.g., ls actually triggers Get-ChildItem).

Because they are wrappers, advanced Linux switches (like ls -la or rm -rf) will not work out of the box unless you use the proper PowerShell syntax.

Ultimate Linux-to-PowerShell Command Translation#

The table below maps standard Linux operations to their native PowerShell counterparts and existing aliases:

Linux Command	PowerShell Alias	Native PowerShell Cmdlet	Description / Example Usage
`ls`	`ls` / `dir` / `gci`	`Get-ChildItem`	Lists items in a directory. For hidden files: `Get-ChildItem -Force`
`cd`	`cd` / `chdir` / `sl`	`Set-Location`	Changes the current working directory
`pwd`	`pwd` / `gl`	`Get-Location`	Prints the absolute path of the current directory
`cat`	`cat` / `type` / `gc`	`Get-Content`	Reads and displays the contents of a file
`mkdir`	`mkdir` / `ni`	`New-Item -ItemType Directory`	Creates a new directory
`touch`	(None)	`New-Item -ItemType File`	Creates an empty file (e.g., `ni file.txt`)
`cp`	`cp` / `copy` / `cpi`	`Copy-Item`	Copies a file or folder to a new destination
`mv`	`mv` / `move` / `mi`	`Move-Item`	Moves or renames a file or folder
`rm`	`rm` / `del` / `ri`	`Remove-Item`	Deletes a file or directory. For recursive delete: `rm -Recurse -Force`
`echo`	`echo` / `write`	`Write-Output`	Prints text to the terminal pipeline
`grep`	(Use `sls`)	`Select-String`	Searches for patterns (e.g., `cat file.txt \
`clear`	`clear` / `cls`	`Clear-Host`	Clears the entire terminal screen
`ps`	`ps` / `gps`	`Get-Process`	Lists actively running system processes
`kill`	`kill` / `pkill` / `sps`	`Stop-Process`	Terminates a process by ID or name (e.g., `kill -Name notepad`)
`curl` / `wget`	`curl` / `wget` / `iwr`	`Invoke-WebRequest`	Sends web requests (Note: `curl` alias removed in PowerShell 7+)
`which`	(None)	`Get-Command`	Finds the absolute binary path or source of a command

2 Crucial Differences to Keep in Mind#

1. Text vs. Objects#

In Linux, data flows through pipelines (|) strictly as plain text. You often have to parse string output using tools like grep, awk, sed, or cut.

In PowerShell, data flows as structured .NET objects. Instead of complex string manipulations, you query structured properties directly:

ps aux | grep "chrome" | awk '{print $2, $3}'

bash

Get-Process chrome | Select-Object Id, CPU, ProcessName

powershell

flowchart TD
    subgraph Linux["Linux Pipeline (Raw Text Stream)"]
        L1["Command A (Raw Text)"] -->|Text Stream| L2["grep / awk / sed"]
        L2 -->|Filtered Text| L3["Plain String Output"]
    end

    subgraph PowerShell["PowerShell Pipeline (.NET Object Stream)"]
        P1["Cmdlet A (.NET Object)"] -->|Object Stream| P2["Select-Object / Where-Object"]
        P2 -->|Structured Object| P3["Direct Property Access"]
    end

2. Flags and Arguments#

Native Linux arguments (like -rf or -al) are rejected by PowerShell. PowerShell relies on explicit -ParameterName parameters.

If an error surfaces when executing a command, inspect the parameter list using the built-in manual:
```
Get-Help Get-ChildItem -Detailed
```
powershell
PowerShell arguments support Tab-completion and unambiguous parameter prefixes (e.g., -Recurse can be shortened to -Rec).

[!TIP] Pro Tip: Missing a specific keyword like which? Map it persistently inside your PowerShell profile ($PROFILE):
New-Alias -Name which -Value Get-Command
powershell

Ultimate Linux-to-PowerShell Command Translation#

2 Crucial Differences to Keep in Mind#

1. Text vs. Objects#

2. Flags and Arguments#

References#