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Cisco IOS Modes and Navigation Cheat Sheet by

Cheat sheet for Cisco IOS commands, basic configuration, securing devices, setting up ports, testing and troubleshooting

CLI Command Modes

Command Mode
Access Method
Prompt
Exit Method
User EXEC
Log in
 
Device>
Issue the 
logout
or 
exit
command
Privileged EXEC
From user EXEC mode, issue the 
enable
command
 
Device#
Issue the 
disable
command or the 
exit
command to return to User EXEC mode
Global Config­uration
From privileged EXEC mode, issue the 
configure terminal
command
 
Device­(co­nfig)#
Issue the 
exit
command or the 
end
command to return to privileged EXEC mode
Interface Config­uration
From gloabl config­uration mode, issue the 
interface
command.
 
Device­(co­nfi­g-if)#
Issue the 
exit
command to return to global config­uration mode or the 
end
command to return to privileged EXEC mode
Line Config­uration
From global config­uration mode, issue the 
line vty
or 
line console
command.
 
Device­(co­nfi­g-l­ine)#
Issue the 
exit
command to return to global config­uration mode or the 
end
command to return to privileged EXEC mode

Using the Intera­ctive Help Feature

Command
Purpose
help
Provides a brief descri­ption of the Help feature in any command mode.
?
List all commands available for a particular command mode
partial command?
Provides a list of commands that begin with the character string (no space between the command and the question mark)
partial command<Ta­b>
Completes a partial command name (no space between the command and <Ta­b>).
command ?
Lists the keywords, arguments, or both associated with the command (space between the command and the question mark).
command keyword ?
List the arguments that are associated with the keyword (space between the keyword and the question mark)
 

Navigation & Basic Modes/­Set­tings

Command
Descri­ption
Required Mode
 
Ctrl+Z
Keyboard shortcut equivalent to 
end
.
Any Config
 
Ctrl+C
Abort the current command or config­uration mode entry
Any
 
Ctrl+S­hift+6
Interrupt sequence
Any
 
show history
Display command history for the current session
 
#
 

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  • Published: 15th April, 2025

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