Written 1 Sep 2026. This is a how-to, not a product card.

Make a temporary practice file

After readlink, mktemp makes a unique temporary practice file so you don't guess a name. You don't need extra system software for this.

See the shortcut target printed the path a shortcut points at. Tonight you make a unique temporary name: mktemp. Mktemp makes one new empty practice file and prints its path. Start with plain mktemp, typically under /tmp.

You don't pick the last name. Mktemp fills it so two drills don't collide. You are still only making a throwaway practice name on the computer. The computer does not need extra system software, htop, Grafana, or a NAS for this one job.

Skip until SSH already works

SSH from the couch should already get you a prompt. SSH means type commands from your laptop, on the house network. If an empty file with a name you choose is what you want, that is make an empty file. If a folder is what you want, that is make a folder. If a shortcut target is what you want, that is see the shortcut target.

What this is

mktemp makes one unique temporary practice file and prints the path. You type mktemp. Stick with that safe peek: one unique path, typically under /tmp, then the prompt back. You don't need extra system software for this.

It is not touch. Touch makes an empty file with a name you choose. It is not mkdir. Mkdir makes a folder. Tonight uses mktemp -d only as an extra. It is not echo. Echo writes words you type.

Practice mktemp

SSH into the computer.

Make sure home is where you sit:

pwd

You want a path that ends in your login name.

If the path is wrong, run this:

cd ~

Make one unique temporary practice file (tonight's job):

mktemp

You want one unique path, typically under /tmp. Then the prompt back. Copy that exact path. Don't guess the last name. That is enough for tonight.

Debian and Ubuntu usually already have mktemp (coreutils). Don't make apt the job.

If mktemp is missing, install coreutils:

sudo apt install coreutils

Then stop. That apt line is not the lesson.

When you are done looking, delete only that exact printed path with careful delete. That is delete a file carefully. Skip rm -rf.

Type rm -i, then a space, then paste the exact path mktemp printed. Don't invent an example name under /tmp.

Useful extras, still home-safe

Optional extra: a unique temporary practice file in home, with a template name:

mktemp ~/mktemp.XXXXXX

XXXXXX is a placeholder mktemp replaces with random characters so the name stays unique. That peek prints a unique home path. Don't make the template required. You can stay on plain mktemp. When done, careful rm -i on that exact home path only.

Optional extra: a unique temporary practice folder:

mktemp -d

-d means make a temporary folder instead of a file. That peek prints one unique folder path, typically under /tmp. Leave it empty tonight. When done, remove only that empty practice folder with rmdir on the exact printed path. Skip rm -rf.

Skip huge dumps as this job. Skip mktemp piped into rm. Mktemp makes a name. Rm deletes files. Don't mix those jobs. Skip files under /etc, whole /, SSH folders, USB sticks, and /srv. Practice names only. Mktemp does not wipe disks or mount disks.

Skip screen, tmux, htop, Grafana, and a NAS. Keep SSH on the house network: keep the computer on the house network. Don't forward port 22.

What this is not

This is not touch. Touch makes an empty file with a name you choose. That is make an empty file. It is not mkdir. That is make a folder. It is not readlink. That is see the shortcut target.

What next

Need words printed exactly? Print words exactly. Need an empty file with a name you choose? Make an empty file.

Skip

Skip if SSH still fails. Finish SSH from the couch first.
Skip huge dumps as this job. Tonight: one unique temporary practice name.
Skip mktemp piped into rm. Mktemp makes a name. Don't mix delete into this drill.
Skip touch, mkdir, and readlink as this job. Those notes already exist.
Skip apt as this job. The coreutils aside is not the lesson.
Skip htop, Grafana, a NAS, files under /etc, and whole /.
Skip rm -rf. Careful delete only: delete a file carefully.
Skip opening SSH to the internet. That is keep the computer on the house network. Don't forward port 22.

Sources

Debian: mktemp(1). Ubuntu: mktemp(1). Official pages only. For an empty file, see make an empty file. For a folder, see make a folder. For a shortcut target, see see the shortcut target. For the login, see SSH from the couch.

Also on this topic

SSH from the couchType commands on the computer from your laptop, on the house network. Password login first. Don't open this to the internet. See the shortcut targetAfter dirname, readlink prints the shortcut target so a practice shortcut shows the path it points at. You don't need extra system software for this. Make an empty fileAfter SSH works, make an empty file with touch so nano and copies have a file to land on. You don't need a file manager app for this. Make a folderAfter SSH works, make a folder with mkdir so copies and edits have a place to land. You don't need a NAS for this. Put a short line into a fileAfter SSH works, put one short line into a file with echo so you don't need to open nano. You don't need a file manager app for this. See how big one folder isAfter SSH works, du shows how big one folder is so you know before you copy or delete. You don't need a file manager app for this. See file size, date, and permissionsAfter SSH works, stat shows size, last-change date, and permissions for one file. You don't need a file manager app for this. See what's in a folderAfter SSH works, ls lists folder contents so you know what names are there. You don't need a file manager app for this. Send output into another commandAfter SSH works, a pipe sends output into another command so a long dump does not flood the window. You don't need extra system software for this. Delete a file carefullyAfter SSH works, delete one file with rm -i. Ask first. Skip rm -rf. You don't need a NAS for this. Turn off password login once the key worksAfter the laptop key login is boring, tell SSH to stop accepting the password. The key is how you get in. A keyboard on the computer is the backup now. Keep the computer on the house networkSSH and Pi-hole belong on the house network. Skip this if you never opened the router settings. Don't forward port 22.