Using Nano Text Editor via SSH

Nano is a popular, easy to use terminal-based text editor installed to all Linux systems by default.

Nano provides a simple way to edit files via the terminal, without the need to download the file or use a separate FTP connection. The file can simply be edited directly through SSH.

Using Nano

1. Execute Nano

   nano /path/to/file

   REPLACE: /path/to/file with the path to the file you'd like to edit.
   TIP: You may also create a new file by specifying a path to a file that does not exist.

2. While the mouse can not be used to browse the file, keyboard input is used instead
   1. Use the arrow keys to navigate the file
   2. The page up, page down, home, and end keys are useful for quickly navigating files
3. Text may still be copied and pasted by using the mouse
   1. To copy, use the mouse to highlight the text you'd like to copy
      1. Press the right mouse button after highlighting the text
   2. Use the keyboard to navigate where you'd like to paste the text to
   3. To Paste, press the right mouse button while no text is highlighted
      NOTE: This will paste whatever is in your computer's regular clipboard. The clipboard is not confined to the terminal. Text can be copied from a website, notepad file, email, etc. and pasted into the terminal, or vice versa.
4. All other editing is done like any other text; typing, using the enter/return key for new lines, and backspace/delete keys to delete characters.
5. When done editing, press CTRL+X to exit the file
   1. If any changes were made, a prompt will appear at the bottom asking if you want to save
      1. Press Y to save the file
      2. Press N to discard changes
   2. If saving, a prompt will appear asking for the file name to save as
      1. Press enter to save the file with the existing name, overwriting the original file
      2. Delete the original file name with the backspace key and type a new file name, then press enter if you'd like to save as a new file