Written 29 Aug 2026. This is a how-to, not a product card.

See where a command lives

After SSH works, ask where a command lives with command -v so you know if nano or python is installed before you chase a missing package. You don't need a software store for this.

Reuse a command you already typed flips back through lines you already ran. Tonight you only need one answer: is this tool on the computer, and where? command -v prints the path for a name you type. Blank output means it is not there. You are still only looking. The computer does not need a desktop, a software store, or a new mini PC for this one job.

Skip until SSH already works

SSH from the couch should already get you a prompt. If you only need the names in a folder, that is see what's in a folder. If you only need to reuse a line you typed earlier, that is reuse a command you already typed. Skip this whole note if you only need a house share other computers browse. That is a folder the house can open.

What this is

command -v means "command, verbose path." You can keep calling it "where does this live." You give one short name. If that name is a real program, it prints the full path, something like /usr/bin/nano. If the name is missing, the window stays blank and the command exits with nothing useful. That blank line is the useful answer. It is not a package install. It is not a search of every file. That is find a file by name. One name, one path, or nothing.

Ask where a practice command lives

SSH in. Pick a tool you already used. ls is a safe first try:

command -v ls

You want a path, usually /usr/bin/ls or /bin/ls. That means the computer already has it.

Try the editor next:

command -v nano

A path means edit a file from the couch can open. A blank window means nano is not installed yet. Install only that one tool if you need it:

sudo apt install nano

Then ask again. You want a path this time.

Try a name that is probably missing, so you see the blank case:

command -v this-is-not-a-real-tool

You want a blank window. That is the whole first-night trick: path means go, blank means stop and install (or pick a different tool).

Useful extras, still looking only

Need several names in one go?

command -v ls nano python3

Each name that exists prints its path on its own line. Missing names stay quiet. That is enough to see which of three tools are already on the computer.

Some guides still say which. It often works the same way:

which nano

Prefer command -v tonight. It is built into the shell, so you are not depending on an extra package. If which itself is missing, that is not a reason to buy anything. Stick with command -v.

If you see command not found for everyday tools like ls or cp, install the usual tools, then try again:

sudo apt install coreutils

Debian and Ubuntu Server usually already have them. That install is not a reason to buy a software store.

When you are done looking, you don't need to delete anything. This note only prints paths.

What this is not

This is not a search for a file by name. That is find a file by name. It is not a dump of a file. That is read a file without opening the editor. It is not a list of folders. That is see what's in a folder. It is not installing a package store or a "software center." One missing tool is sudo apt install for that one name. It is not a house share other computers browse. That is a folder the house can open.

What next

Need the short cheat sheet for a tool you found? Ask a command what it does. Need the editor and it was missing? Install nano, then edit a file from the couch. Need a short line without the editor? Put a short line into a file. Need names in a folder again? See what's in a folder. Need a shortcut? Make a shortcut. Need to flip back through lines you already typed? Reuse a command you already typed. When a house job broke, look at the computer's own diary: when something broke, look at the log. When key login is boring on every computer you use, turn off password login once the key works. Keep SSH on the house network: keep the computer on the house network. Don't forward port 22.

Skip

Skip if SSH still fails. Finish SSH from the couch first.
Skip printenv as tonight's job. Printenv prints environment (HOME and PATH), not which: see HOME and PATH.
Skip buying a software store, Softaculous, or a new mini PC because one name printed blank. Install that one tool, or pick a tool that is already there.
Skip type -a, whereis, and deep PATH edits tonight. command -v is enough to see if the name exists.
Skip installing random packages from a blog just because the window was blank. Prefer the tool names you already met on Labthrift.
Skip SSH settings, /etc/shadow, and anything under /etc/ssh. Looking at trusted laptop keys is see which laptop keys the computer already trusts.
Skip opening SSH to the internet so you can hunt commands from a coffee shop. That is keep the computer on the house network.

Sources

POSIX: command. Debian: bash (see command built-in). Ubuntu: bash. Official pages only. For the login, see SSH from the couch. For the editor, see edit a file from the couch. For finding a file by name, see find a file by name. For reusing a typed line, see reuse a command you already typed.

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. Reuse a command you already typedAfter SSH works, flip back through commands with the Up arrow or history. You don't need a notebook for the same long line twice. Edit a file from the couchAfter SSH works, open a file with nano, change a line, and save. The keys at the bottom of the screen are the whole trick. You don't need a new editor. Find a file by nameAfter SSH works, search the computer for a file by name with find so you don't have to open every folder. You don't need a file manager app for this. See what's in a folderAfter SSH works, list the folder you are sitting in with ls. You don't need a file manager app for this. Make a shortcutAfter SSH works, make a shortcut with ln -s so a second name points at the same file. You don't need a file manager app 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. 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.